INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
Now accepting entries for the 2023 Capital Region Blues Network Blues Challenge! Challenge dates:
- Band challenge – August 6th @ The Linda, Albany.
- Solo/Duo challenge – September, 17th @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs
Prizes:
- Nomination to the International Blues Competition (IBC) in Memphis, January/February, 2024 (specific dates TBD)
- Cash prizes towards expenses for the trip to Memphis:
- Band - $1,500 cash
- Solo-Duo - $750 cash
To Enter:
- Submit your entry to Richard Green: [email protected]
- To enter performers should submit a recording of their material. Most formats accepted e.g. MP3, YouTube link, SoundCloud link, CD (please ask for mailing address) etc.
- Submit a minimum of 2 but no more than 4 songs (at least one song must be an original composition)
- Submit a brief bio listing the performers and their instruments (and/or vocals)
- The CRBN Board of Directors will select up to 4 contestants to compete
Deadline for Entries:
- Band challenge deadline - June 25th. Chosen contestants will be announced by June 26th.
- Solo-duo challenge deadline: August 13th. Chosen contestants will be announced by August 14th.
Eligibility:
- A band is considered to be any combination of 3 or more performers whereas a solo-duo act is one or two performers
- At least one performer must be a current CRBN member. (Go to www.crbn.org/membership)
- Must have at least one original song
- Must play primarily blues music (the definition of what qualifies as “blues” is broad and we do not have a strict definition).
- Must be available for the challenge:
- The challenges will be in the afternoon, approx. 2 – 6 pm.
- Performers may be required to be at the venue for sound check as early as 11am.
- Must be available to travel to the IBC in Memphis (dates TBD but typically late January/early February)
- Must be prepared to abide by IBC competition rules
- Must live in the area served by CRBN
- No performer can have been nominated for a Blues Music or WC Handy Award
The Blues Foundation:
"Our Mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form."
For more information about the Blues Foundation's programs, the HART Fund, BMA Awards, The Blues Hall of Fame Museum and more, visit them at www.Blues.org
Save The Date! January 24 – January 28, 2023
38th INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE • MEMPHIS, TN
Check Out Highlights from the 2020 International Blues Challenge!
Blues Education and Enrichment Programs
Blues in the Schools (BITS)
CRBN provides school districts, BOCES, special education programs and after-school programs with educational classes delivered by regional and nationally recognized blues artists. Blues In The Schools classes can meet the needs of every age range from pre-school to pre-college. Types of programming include:
- History of blues and its impact on American culture.
- Blues music theory in practice: participatory classes that include learning blues rhythms, call and response, 12 bar blues progressions and writing and singing lyrics.
- Performance experiences for school bands and small ensembles.
- School assemblies.
- Book readings with sing-alongs for early intervention programs.
The CRBN provides this service at no cost. Funding is obtained though fund-raising activities and grant writing.
If interested in Blues in the Schools for your school or youth program, please contact Richard Green.
Blues in the Libraries
Literacy is a fundamental skill for children, and CRBN is committed to making literacy an enjoyable experience while also teaching kids about blues music. Through the support of our wonderful donors and partners, CRBN is able to donate award winning books about blues music to public and school libraries, youth programs and community free libraries. Age appropriate children’s blues music CDs are also donated. We make learning about blues music fun!
If you are interested in Blues in the Libraries for your library, please contact Richard Green.
Generation Blues
Our parent organization, the Blues Foundation, expanded its longstanding Blues in the Schools youth education efforts with a new initiative that began in 2010 entitled Generation Blues. Generation Blues was created to provide financial assistance to aspiring young blues musicians whose limited financial resources might prohibit them from attending a blues music learning opportunity.
This scholarship program is available for those under the age of 21 to study their instrument of choice at reputable camps, seminars, and workshop programs in the United States and Canada. More information about the program can be found here.
