ELIGIBILITY and RULES
A Blues act cannot enter the International Blues Challenge (IBC) directly. Only Blues Foundation Affiliates may enter acts to compete in the IBC. The act must compete in, and win, a sanctioned local challenge, presented by an Affiliated blues society. The local Challenge winners then advance to compete in the IBC, representing the sponsoring Affiliate.
The Solo/Duo or Band must have a compelling connection to Mississippi to represent this Mississippi blues society at the International Blues Challenge. All members must be twenty-one (21) or older.
Each Solo/Duo Act will have 20 minutes to perform; (10) minutes to turnover. (Subject to Change)
Each Band Act will have 25 minutes to perform; (15) minutes to turnover. (Subject to Change)
Lots will be drawn in advance to determine the playing order. Acts will be given consideration if a performance time is requested in the lineup for the Vicksburg Challenge.
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. The official criteria used in Memphis at the IBC will be used by the Judges for the Vicksburg Challenge.
There should be no contact with the Judges by any individual or representative of an Act during the Blues competition.
Scoring is the based on the same criteria used in Memphis. The scores will be based on:
• BLUES CONTENT
• INSTRUMENTAL TALENT
• VOCAL TALENT
• ORIGINALITY
• 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) (Heavily Weighted)
Instrumental Talent (x3)
Vocal Talent (x3)
Originality (x2)
Stage Presence (x2)
No extra time will be allowed for equipment malfunctions of the Act.
An official TIME KEEPER will be seated near the stage and flash time cards.
Points will be deducted if the Act goes over the (20) minute limit for Solo/Duo Acts and (25) minutes for Band Acts.
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.
Vicksburg Challenge winners will represent the VICKSBURG BLUES SOCIETY, Inc. at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. The following will be provided by the VBS for the winner's participation in Memphis:
• Lodging at one of the IBC host hotels near Beale St. (Double Occupancy)
• Members of the Act will receive a daily meal allowance
• Acts will receive a gas allowance
• Parking Allowance for each Act will be provided:
Solo/Duo - 1 vehicle
Band - 1-2 vehicles
Entrants in the Vicksburg Challenge must complete an Official Entry Form
The Entry Fee for the Vicksburg Challenge:
$15 for Solo / Duo Acts
$25 for Band Acts
Request Entry Forms at info@VicksburgBlues.net
Email a copy of your Entry Forms to info@VicksburgBlues.net
Vicksburg Challenge ENTRY FORM Here
• Registration Deadline for the Vicksburg Challenge is August 1, 2016 •
Find More Information about the Blues Foundation and the International Blues Challenge at
http://www.blues.org/ibc
