Donate

International Blues Challenge Info

We look forward to seeing you in Memphis!

Washington Blues Society

Proud recipient of the “Keeping The Blues Alive” award

Washington Blues Society Local Competitions for

International Blues Challenge

Blues Challenge Entry Rules

Who Can Enter:
Any blues act that is a Washington Blues Society member is welcome to enter!
Enrollment Requirement:
The band should perform traditional blues. Key elements of traditional blues, incorporate elements like the blues scale, blues-based chord progressions (often the 12-bar blues), and a blues-inspired vocal style

To learn more about the IBC competition and rules followed at the local and national level visit https://blues.org/international-blues-challenge/

The Washington Blues Society will be sending a Solo/Duo act and a band to Memphis TN January 2026. If you want to compete please complete the application. We will hold semi-finals and finals on a single day: Sunday, July 27th, 2025 at the Aurora Borealis in Shoreline, WA.

Band entry fee is $30; solo duo entry fee is $15. Applications and entry fees must be received no later than Monday, June 30th, 2025. All proceeds will help with expenses for the trip to Memphis. Judges will evaluate each act using the Blues Foundation scoring criteria and rules. Acts may not be affiliated with the WBS Board upon application. IBC rules also prohibit any act from competing three consecutive years at the IBC.

Each winner will be required to perform at a minimum of two fundraisers in 2025 and one fundraiser in early 2026 at no charge. Proceeds from these events will be deposited into a WBS fund to help defray expenses to get each winning act to and from Memphis, but we cannot guarantee an “all-expense paid” trip.

This application is an initial statement of interest and not a binding agreement between the applicant and the Washington Blues Society.

Best Self-Produced CD

Best Self-Produced CD Official Rules: https://blues.org/self-produced-cd-award/
Entries for the Best Self-Produced CD are permitted by Blues Foundation Affiliated Organizations only.
Each Affiliate is permitted one entry.
The CD entered may be recorded and performed by an act other than is entered in the current year’s International Blues Challenge.
Compilations are not eligible.

Only CDs released between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025, are eligible for consideration as The 2025 Best Self-Produced CD.

The Best Self-Produced CD, is given out at the International Blues Challenge, as part of our mission to celebrate blues recording and to ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.

How to Submit:

Submit 4 copies of the album by Sept 30, 2025 to

WBS
PO BOX 70604
Seattle WA 98127

official rules : https://blues.org/self-produced-cd-award/

PAST WINNERS

 

Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons (Washington Blues Society) solo/duo winners 2017

The WIRED! Band (Washington Blues Society) Band winner 2012

http://wabluessociety.blogspot.com/2012/02/great-news-out-of-memphis-wired-band.html

Find More Bands Here : https://everettrock.com/Bands.html

ATTENTION MUSIC PEOPLE!

If you would like to add your music schedule to
our calendar, please go to our online calendar and enter your events for free, just hit the Green Submit button.

The calendar is then downloaded for printing in our WBS Bluesletter on the 10th of every month.

Help Keep Us Up To Date. Send changes/info to [email protected]

(updated 6/18/2024)

Hear about local blues events

Subscribe to the The Washington Blues Society Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter to receive updates and reminders of our upcoming events. 100% Privacy. We don’t spam!

Our Mission

The Washington Blues Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating and preserving America’s unique musical contribution to the world – the Blues.  Join us!

Find The Blues on Facebook

PO Box 70604
Seattle WA
98127

©2025 The Washington Blues Society - All rights reserved | Powered by Monster Tamer

WBS International Blues Challenge

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Competing as:(Required)
Credit Card
I Acknowledge(Required)
By checking the box below, you agree to abide by the IBC rules and qualifications to the best of your ability.
Review Your Cart
0
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal