Big Bend Blues Competition Rules
If you can play or sing the blues you can win $500 - Winner will receive $500 and be entered into the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, January 31- February 4, 2012. Second Place will receive $200 and Third Place $100.
We're looking for serious blues performers. Original material is strongly encouraged! Blues covers will work as long as they are arranged in your own style. Choose your material carefully. Blues Content is the most important category in which you will be judged. Competitors can be a group or duo/solo performance and both will receive an equal chance of winning the competition.
- Judging: will be according to rules from The National Blues Foundation, and as such will be the average of raw scores weighted as follows:
- Blues Content (x4)
- Vocal Talent (x3)
- Instrumental Talent (x3)
- Originality (x2)
- Stage Presence (x2)
- Eligibility: Participants will no longer be denied eligibility due to national distribution, whether current or in the past. In its place, the defining line for who is and is not eligible to enter is based on Blues Music Awards nominations. If an individual, in their capacity, has been included on the Blues Music Awards ballot, that person is not eligible. This rule will not bar sidemen or songwriters. An individual may not compete in more than one act. A person cannot compete as a solo artist and as a member of a band.
- Check In At Competition: Competing bands need to check in at pre-function tables with Competition Director, Jackie Welker, or his staff, prior to load in and 1 hour prior to your time slot. You need to be ready to play when you are slotted; we need to run a tight clock with so many acts and so little time. There will be 15 slots available for competitors. By the way, if you are confirmed as one of our acts, we expect you to show up; we take a very dim view of no-shows (except with a legit excuse). Just as in Memphis at the IBC, you will need to take the time slot you are allotted. PARTICIPATING BAND MEMBERS will be admitted FREE for the weekend. At check in, each act must present 8 copies of a typewritten set list that must be followed on stage. Note which songs are originals and which songs are covers.
- Time Slots: Time slots will be designated by July 22nd. If you are serious about the Big Bend Blues Competition, then you know this is a stepping-stone to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. When a timeslot is assigned, it is the competitor's obligation to make themselves available to fulfill their allotted slot. You need to factor in your travel time and arrive a minimum of 1 hour prior to your performance. Following the guidelines of the International Blues Challenge, when a slot is assigned, you are expected to perform at that time. Any special requests for a time slot should be noted on your application, but not guaranteed.
- Time Limitation: We limit each band to a performance of 20 minutes. This performance is timed from when the act strikes its first note. Plan your set accordingly as acts are penalized one point from the combined judges' scores for each ten seconds they run overtime. Please check with the stage manager for visual cues on set time. There is no penalty for using less than the allotted time.
- The Format: “The Big Bend Blues Competition” will take place Friday, July 29th starting at 5:00PM. Artists will perform a 20 minute (maximum) set with a 10 minute interval between acts. Following the final performance, the 1st Place Winner, 2nd Place and 3rd Place acts will be chosen. Only 8 bands will have a chance to compete during this event.
- Demo Tape: A demo CD of the band, or a viable link to an Electronic Press Kit, must be submitted with the entry form.
- Application must be received by Saturday, July 11th 2010. Bands will be notified of acceptance or rejection one week later after a review of the demos, or EPK’s, has been completed by the Pomeroy Blues and Jazz Society. Print and mail the application together with your $50 entry fee (check or money order made payable to PB&J’s) to Big Bend Blues Competition, 112 Court Street, Pomeroy OH 45769.
Any questions, contact Competition Director, Jackie Welker, at 740-992-6524 or 740-416-4016. After 3 PM, please e-mail jackie@courtstreetgrill.com. Also, Assistant Competition Director, Phil Ohlinger at phil@ohlingeramps.com.
