The West Virginia Blues Society presents

The 4th Annual Appalachian Blues Competition

October 2, 2010 - 1 pm to 11:30 pm

Tomahawks Smokehouse & Saloon

5930 MacCorkle Avenue St Albans, WV 25177-2338

Looking For Blues Talent

The West Virginia Blues Society will hold its Fourth Annual Blues Competition on October 2, 2010 at Tomahawks Smokehouse & Saloon, St. Albans, WV. Bands, Solo/Duo and a Youth Division blues acts will compete for cash prizes and WVBS sponsorship to the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tennessee. Feb 2011.

The West Virginia Blues Society will have 18 competition slots filled by regional blues acts from all over West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and other states. As the competition grows, so does the level of talent. If your band has the mojo this could be your ticket to Memphis for the Big Show. This is the ONLY Blues Talent Competition in West Virginia recognized by the Blues Foundation. So, tune up and show up with your best Blues.

While the competition cannot be considered a purely “amateur” contest, the goal of The International Blues Challenge is to seek out the best “undiscovered” Blues band and the best “undiscovered” solo/duo Blues performer in the United State and beyond. The IBC is a real opportunity for discovery to musicians that are truly unknown and unsigned to a record company.

The International Blues Challenge in Memphis is restricted to acts representing an affiliated organization of the Blues Foundation, of which WVBS is one. The IBC is the largest gathering of blues bands in the world (around 250) and has evolved into the Nation’s most respected showcase for Blues musicians ready to take their act to the national stage. Each affiliate of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and a solo/duo act to represent the organization at the IBC Semi-Finals on world famous Beale Street in Memphis. The list of blues greats that have competed in the IBC over the years is impressive indeed: Slick Ballinger, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Albert Cummings, Delta Moon, Larry Gardner, Dianna Greenleaf, Zac Harmon, Richard Johnston, Matthew Skoller, Susan Tedeschi, John Weston and Michelle Wilson. Musicians from around the world have commented that just getting the chance to play on historic Beale Street is worth the trip.

The first-place Band Division winner of Blues Competition will receive $500 dollars in cash and WVBS sponsorship to the International Blues Challenge (2011 IBC’s)  in Memphis in February 2011, where they can gain valuable exposure to record label A&R representatives Blues industry professionals, and festival promoters capable of providing real career advancement for a serious blues musician. The second place Band Division winner will receive $200 in cash. First place Solo/Duo Division winner will receive $200 in cash prizes and WVBS sponsorship to the  2011 IBC’s. First place Youth division winner will receive $100 cash prize and sponsored to the 2011 IBC Youth Showcase.  The big winners, however, are the Blues fans who enjoy a day of Blues entertainment.

Winners at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis, the city considered by many as the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, receive cash and prizes such as professional consultations and assistance, gigs at some of the country’s best festivals, interviews in the world’s leading Blues publications, free website design and hosting, and even a slot on the “2011 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise."

CONTACT PERSON FOR COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS: Complete information, application & rules are available online atwww.wvbluessociety.org. Deadline for application submission is September 1, 2010.

For more information contact Competition Director, Jack Rice at 304-389-1438 or e-mail: bkravenhawk@hotmail.com

The West Virginia Blues Society is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the history and heritage of Blues music as an American art form through education, activities and events.