The Minnesota Blues Society announces the date for a judged competition to choose a solo/duo act and a band to compete at the International Blues Challenge Beale Street in Memphis,Tennessee in January of 2026

About Our Competition

Judges are selected by the RTM Committee and scoring for the competition are in accordance with IBC policy.

Performance order for the competing acts is randomly selected the day before the competition. The act with the top score from each category will advance to the IBC.

By and large, musicians are required to supply their own instruments.

Applications and “demos” are reviewed by the RTM committee and entrants will be notified soon after the in regards to their spot in the competition.

If selected, your act will also be asked to provide a brief bio and a photo before the competition date.

At least one member of each solo/duo or band must be 21 years of age by the date of competition.

The Applicant(s) must be professional musician(s) and the majority of the members of the act must reside in the State of Minnesota to compete for Minnesota.(for this purpose, professional musician is defined as a musician who has been booked and paid to play at established music venues).

Applicants must be capable physically and financially, of travel to Memphis for the purpose of competing in the “IBC” completion held in Memphis the following year.

Applicants must agree to the policies of MnBS regarding reimbursement for expenses.

An act may compete in only one category: either solo/duo or band.

To Enter the Competition

Submit an audition demo consisting of three songs that exemplify your act. A hard copy CD can be sent by mail to the address on the form. Electronic links can be submitted either on the online form or by email to rtm@mnbs.org.

Completing the application and paying fees does not guarantee an act will be accepted into the competition. Acts not chosen will be refunded their fees if desired.

Please note: In accordance with policies of the International Blues Challenge, an act is limited to two consecutive appearances at the “Road To Memphis Challenge” and must then sit out at least one year before becoming eligible to compete again. Therefore an act under the same name or with the same band members will be allowed to compete in two consecutive years. This does not prevent an act from competing in the other category if they have competed in past two years.

Please feel free to contact the MnBS for any questions you might have!

bill@mnbs.org

Road to Memphis Competition Information

About Our Competition

To Enter the Competition