International Blues Competition Prize Information
The 2011 International Blues Challenge is sponsored by the good folks at the companies identified by their logos on the side banner. Click to learn more about them.
The winners of the International Blues Challenge receive cash and prizes such as professional consultations and assistance, gigs at some of the country’s best festivals, as well as a slot on the 2013 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise.
Six prizes are awarded at the International Blues Challenge. In the Band Division, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are awarded, each of which includes a cash award and other goodies. 1st and 2nd place prizes are awarded in the Solo/Duo Division. The Best Guitarist among the acts competing in Band Finals Saturday afternoon is also recognized, with the winner receiving a custom-built ES-335 guitar, generously donated by our good friends at Gibson Guitars.
2012 Prizes
1st Place Solo/Duo — 1st place International Blues Challenge plaque — $1500 cash — Interview in BluesWax – One-year subscription to Blues Revue — Ad in Blues Festival Guide and banner ad on its website — Professional press kit from Groovedaddy Graphics Great gigs, including:
– International Folk Alliance Conference Memphis, TN — Traditional Acoustic Blues Festival Columbus, OH — Rootsway Roots ‘n’ Blues & Food Festival Parma, Italy — Heritage Blues Festival Wheeling, WV — Alonzo’s Memorial Day Picnic, Baltimore, MD — Hot Springs Blues Festival, Hot Springs, AR — Blues Sur Seine France — 2013 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Caribbean Cruise
2nd Place Solo/Duo — 2nd Place International Blues Challenge plaque — $750 cash — One-year subscription to Blues Revue — Professional press kit from Groovedaddy Graphics 
1st Place Band — First Place International Blues Challenge plaque — $2000 cash — Interview in BluesWax — One-year subscription to Blues Revue. — Ad in Blues Festival Guideand banner ad on its website — Professional press kit from Groovedaddy Graphics
Great gigs, including: — Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, 2013 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Caribbean Cruise — Heritage Blues Festival, Wheeling, WV — St. John Blues Festival, St John, US Virgin Islands — Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, Telluride, CO — King Biscuit Blues Festival , Helena, AR — Hot Springs Blues Festival, Hot Springs, AR — River City Blues Society of VA , Richmond, VA Blues and Brews. — Eureka Springs Blues Weekend, Eureka Springs, AR — Greater Ozark Blues Festival, Springfield, MO — Gladstone SummerTime BluesFest, Gladstone, MO — Charlie West Blues Festival, Charleston, WV — Tremblant International Blues Festival, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec Canada
2nd Place Band — 2nd Place International Blues Challenge plaque — $1000 cash — One-year subscription to Blues Revue– Professional press kit from Groovedaddy Graphics
Gigs, including– — Canal Bank Shuffle , Thorold, Ontario, Canada
3rd Place Band — 3rd Place International Blues Challenge Plaque — $750 cash — One-year subscription to Blues Revue — Professional press kit from Groovedaddy Graphics Best Guitrarist Award (in Band Finals) — Gibson Custom ES-335 guitar with Blues Foundation logo — Category 5 Amp
Best Harmonica Player sponsored by Lee Oskar Harmonicas- Autographed Lee Oskar gold plated limited edition Lee Oskar harmonica – Complete set of Lee Oskar harmonicas – Additional set of Lee Oskar reed plates & accessories – An opportunity to perform with Lee Oskar & friends in Seattle, WA at the famous Highway 99 Blues Club & Restaurant.
Best Self Produced CD — Personalized Plaque — $750 cash prize — Radio airplay on Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s B.B. King’s Bluesville; Music Choice, your cable and satellite TV Blues channel, Blues Breaker status on The House of Blues Radio Show with Elwood Blues, as well as on radio shows hosted by our deejay judges around the country.
