The Colorado Blues Society is preparing to launch its 4th annual competition for the 2011 Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge.

If you are a CBS Band member you will be getting details in an email. If you are not a member, contact Chick Cavallero and he will email you the full details. Contact Chick with ANY questions concerning the competition.

The local winner in each category competes in the IBC finals in Memphis Feb 2-5 2011. We’re planning to start the CBS competition in late July, most likely on Sunday afternoons or Monday evenings in CBS Front Range venues from Denver to Windsor.

Winners of each contest will compete in the CBS finals to be held in late September / early October. Once the number of entrants is determined we will be contacting all bands and performers with a more detailed schedule. Winners of their opening round competition move into the Finals.

The entry fee is $25 and a competing band must be a current CBS Business member). You can become a business member and/or sign up for the local competition here...

Deadline for entries is June 30. All fees must be paid before hand.

Click here for pictures of the bands that participated in the local Colorado Blues Society competition for the 2010 IBC Competition

The International Blues Challenge (IBC) is an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations (local blues societies from around the world) for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Acts that are ready to break out and perform on a national stage.

This competition gives the winning acts tremendously valuable exposure and has been called “more valuable than $100,000 in marketing” for the winning band.

The Colorado Blues Society has been participating in the IBC since 2008. Each year CBS holds the local competition and raises money to send the eventual winning acts to Memphis.

In Memphis our CBS winners will gain terrific contacts from other bands, promoters and record companies.  Memphis can be a life changing event , the one break  needed to push these acts onto the National stage.

CBS IBC Band Winners:

2009 Band - The Johnny O Band

2010 Band - Boa & The Constrictors

CBS IBC Solo/Duo Winners:

2008 Solo/Duo - Lionel Young
(Lionel Young was the overall winner in the 2008 Solo/Duo Competition)

2009 Solo/Duo - Ben Stevens

2010 Solo/Duo - Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen

Click here for more information on the Blues Foundation and the IBC