International Blues Challenge


The International Blues Challenge is a music competition run by the Blues Foundation.
Notable blues artists that have competed in the IBC over the years also includes Fiona Boyes, Eden Brent, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Sean Costello, Albert Cummings, Døvydas, Larry Garner, Zac Harmon, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, HowellDevine, Richard Johnston, Julian Fauth, Super Chikan, Susan Tedeschi, Southern Avenue, and Watermelon Slim. The 1994 event in particular had a lot of talent as Susan Tedeschi, Michael Burks and a 16 year old Sean Costello competed, although none of them were the eventual winner.

History

The competition began in 1984, then named the Blues Amateur Talent Contest. The idea was to give amateur or up and coming musicians a chance to be discovered and get a foothold. In 1986 the event was renamed the National Amateur Talent Contest and 17 bands competed. Prior to 1993 the IBC had a rule that performers had to make less than 50% of their income from performing. This rule was dropped that year and the following year the word “Amateur” was dropped from the name of the event. In 1995 the event was renamed “The International Blues Talent Competition” to reflect the expanded demand and over 40 acts competed. No competition was held in 1999 as the timing of the event was changed from the fall during the King Biscuit Festival to the January/February time frame. In January 2000 the first International Blues Challenge was held with 50 bands competing. As the event has grown in size it was decided to split the acts into two categories, Band and Solo/Duo in 2002. Now each year more than 200 acts from around the world gather on Beale Street in Memphis to compete for the International Blues Challenge.
Diunna Greenleaf and her backing band, Blue Mercy, won the competition in 2005. In 2006, the Joey Gilmore Band won the Best Band prize. The winners in 2008 were Trampled Under Foot. The 2010 winner of the top Solo/Duo prize was Matt Andersen. Grady Champion and his band won the Best Band title at the 26th International Blues Challenge in 2010, The 2011 winners of the Solo/Duo category were Georg Schroeter and Marc Breitfelder.
The band winner in 2014 was Mr. Sipp, with the solo winner being Tim Williams. In 2015, Eddie Cotton won the best band category, with Randy McQuay coming out on top in the solo/duo division.

Band winners

Solo/duo winners

In 2002, the Blues Foundation split the challenge into two categories and began awarding a winner in the Solo/Duo category.
YearBandBlues Society
2002Little Toby WalkerLong Island Blues Society
2003Fiona BoyesMelbourne Blues Appreciation Society
2004Lightnin' Lee & the Upright RoosterSpa City Blues Society
2005Jimi HockingMelbourne Blues Appreciation Society
2006Eden BrentMississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola
2007Nathan James and Ben HernandezBlues Lovers United of San Diego
2008Lionel YoungColorado Blues Society
2009Little Joe McLerranBlues Society of Tulsa
2010Matt AndersenHarvest Jazz & Blues
2011Georg Schroeter & Marc BreitfelderBaltic Blues Society
2012Ray BonnevilleOzark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas
2013Little G WeevilAtlanta Blues Society
2014Tim WilliamsCalgary Blues Music Association
2015Randy McQuayCape Fear Blues Society
2016Ben Hunter & Joe SeamonsWashington Blues Society
2017Al HillNashville Blues Society
2018Kevin "B.F." BurtCentral Iowa Blues Society
2019Jon ShainTriangle Blues Society
2020Hector AnchondoBlues Society of Omaha

Best Guitarist winners

Best self-produced CD award