Eligibility and Rules
The Solo/Duo or Band must have a compelling Mississippi connection to represent this Mississippi blues society at the International Blues Challenge.
Each act will have (20) minutes to perform; (10) minutes to turnover. (subject to change)
Lots will be drawn in advance to determine the playing order. Acts may request but not guaranteed an early performance time if need to play at a scheduled gig on the same night.
There will be set-up time between acts, but the next act should be ready to go AT LEAST one (1) hour beforehand to keep the competition moving ahead.
A panel of judges will be scoring the competition. Each judge will rate each act independently on a score sheet.
There should be no contact with the Judges by any individual or representative of an Act during the Blues competition.
Scoring will be based on Blues Content, Instrumental Talent, Vocal Talent, Originality, and Stage Presence.
The score for the Act will be the sum total of all the judges' scores.
Categories are weighted as follows:
Blues Content (x4) Instrumental Talent (x3) Vocal Talent (x3) Originality (x2) Stage Presence (x2)
No extra time will be allowed for equipment malfunctions of the Act.
Points will be deducted if the Act goes over the (20) minute limit.
An individual cannot compete in the Solo/Duo and the Band Competition.
Any artist whose name has appeared on a final Handy/Blues Music Award ballot is ineligible. All other musicians who have had a peripheral and/or professional contact through performance with a Handy/Blues Music Award nominee, including but not limited to touring band members and studio musicians, are deemed eligible for IBC.
Any Act that has competed at the IBC two (2) consecutive years, representing any blues society and/or affiliate, is ineligible to compete and must sit out at least one (1) year.
Challenge winners will represent the Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola, Inc. at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Rooms (Solo/Duo 1 room) (Band 2 rooms) will be provided by the blues society at one of the IBC host hotels. Musicians will receive funds to help with meals. Parking (Solo/Duo 1 vehicle) (Band 1-2 vehicles) will be paid and money provided to help with gas expenses.
