INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE MEMPHIS, TN <strong>JAN</strong> 29-<strong>FEB</strong> 2, <strong>2013</strong>The <strong>2013</strong> International <strong>Blues</strong> Challenge will be the 29th year of <strong>Blues</strong> musicians from around the world competing for cash, prizes, and industryrecognition. The <strong>Blues</strong> Foundation will present the 29th International <strong>Blues</strong> Challenge January 29-February 2, <strong>2013</strong> in Memphis, TN. The world’slargest gathering of <strong>Blues</strong> acts represents an international search by The <strong>Blues</strong> Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations for the <strong>Blues</strong> Band and Solo/Duo <strong>Blues</strong> Act ready to take their act to the international stage. In 2012, 119 bands and 86 solo/duo acts entered, filling the clubs up and down BealeStreet for the quarter-finals on Wednesday and Thursday, the semi-finals on Friday and the finals at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday. We will have atleast that many in <strong>2013</strong>.The 29th year of the International <strong>Blues</strong> Challenge will once again include a youth showcase for those under the age of 21. The 29th IBC will includean afternoon (Friday, February 1, <strong>2013</strong>) of talented young people showcasing their talents for record labels, media, festivals, managers, talent buyersand the fans. Watch www.blues.org for further information. Email joe@blues.org if you have any questions.The week of events will once again kick off Tuesday night with a Meet & Greet hosted by the Beale Street Merchants Association at the New DaisyTheater, followed by the FedEx International Showcase. In addition to the evening <strong>Blues</strong> competition, the days are filled with seminars and workshopsand topped off in a moving Saturday morning brunch in which the <strong>Blues</strong> community will honor its own with the prestigious Keeping the <strong>Blues</strong> Alive(KBA) awards that honor the men and women, who have made significant contributions to the <strong>Blues</strong> music world, in 20 categories such as journalism,literature and photography and to the best clubs and festivals, as well as managers, promoters and producers.The 29th International <strong>Blues</strong> Challenge is sponsored by ArtsMemphis, Beale Street Merchants Association, Budweiser ofMemphis, FedEx, Gibson, Legendary Rhythm & <strong>Blues</strong> Cruise, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Tennessee ArtsCommission.Media sponsors include Beale Street Caravan, Big City Rhythm and <strong>Blues</strong>, <strong>Blues</strong> Festival Guide, <strong>Blues</strong> Revue, Downtowner,Elwood’s <strong>Blues</strong>mobile, Living <strong>Blues</strong>, Memphis Flyer, Music on the Couch, and Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s B.B. King’s <strong>Blues</strong>ville.“Winning the International <strong>Blues</strong> Challenge is better than having a $100,000 publicity budget.”-2004 IBC winner and 2006 <strong>Blues</strong> Music Award Best New Artist, Zac HarmonIBC “ROAD TO MEMPHIS” FUNDRAISER - <strong>JAN</strong> 20thThis is the grand Fundraiser setup to aid the winners of Natchel <strong>Blues</strong> <strong>Network</strong>’s International <strong>Blues</strong>Challenge. This will be your chance to see the winners perform one more time before they travel toMemphis to compete with acts from around the world.We will have raffles going on during the day. The big raffle will be for a hand made Cigar Box Guitarcustom made by Anthony Rossano. If you’ve seen Anthony play this instrument then you know youwant one, even if you don’t play they are collector’s item. Plus we will be having <strong>Blues</strong> CD raffles.The order of appearance of the artist;2pm- Solo/Duo winner- Shawn ‘Dirty’ Strickland3pm- Youth Showcase winners-Carbon Jam4pm-Band winner-Anthony Rosano and The Conqueroos5pm-2011 Solo/Duo winner-Seth Stainback and RoosterFootSeth Stainback and The RoosterFoot boys have graciously offered to bring their full band in to providetheir original RoosterFoot stomping music.After the scheduled artist perform we will open the stage for a <strong>Blues</strong> Jam which will last for 1 1/2 hours.We ask musicians to conform to standard jam procedures, 1-2 songs, no band auditions.Admission Donation-$10. All proceeds of the day go directly to the 3 acts. Donations are accepted ifyou’re not able to attend.http://www.natchelblues.org/events/RoadToMemphisFundraiserConcert.html16 www.Natchel<strong>Blues</strong>.org • <strong>JAN</strong>UARY/<strong>FEB</strong>RUARY <strong>2013</strong>
<strong>JAN</strong>UARY/<strong>FEB</strong>RUARY <strong>2013</strong> • www.Natchel<strong>Blues</strong>.org17