The West Virginia Blues Society presents
 
The 2nd Annual Appalachian Blues Competition
 
October 4th 2008 11:00am
 
Christopher's Banquet Center
 
104 Van Kirk Dr
Fairmont, WV 26554
 
(304) 534-5300
 
 
Special Lodging Packages are being arranged
 
Looking For Blues Talent
 
The West Virginia Blues Society will hold its Second Annual Blues Competition on October 4, 2008 at Christopher's Banquet Center in Fairmont, WV.  Blues bands and solo/duo blues acts will compete for cash prizes and WVBS sponsorship to the Blues Foundations International Blues Challenge held every year in Memphis, Tennessee.
 
The West Virginia Blues Society will have 18 competition slots filled by regional blues acts from all over West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and other states. As the competition grows, so does the level of talent. If your band has the Mojo this could be your ticket to Memphis for the Big Show. This is the ONLY Blues Talent Competition in West Virginia recognized by the Blues Foundation. So, tune up and show up with your best Blues.
 
While the competition cannot be considered a purely amateur contest, the goal of The International Blues Challenge is to seek out the best undiscovered Blues band and the best undiscovered solo/duo Blues performer in the United State and beyond. The IBC is a real opportunity for discovery to musicians that are truly unknown and unsigned to a record company.
 
The International Blues Challenge in Memphis is restricted to acts representing an affiliated organization of the Blues Foundation, of which WVBS is one.  The IBC is the largest gathering of blues bands in the world (around 150) and has evolved into the Nations most respected showcase for Blues musicians ready to take their act to the national stage. Each affiliate of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and a solo/duo act to represent the organization at the IBC Semi-Finals on world famous Beale Street in Memphis. The list of blues greats that have competed in the IBC over the years is impressive indeed: Slick Ballinger, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Albert Cummings, Delta Moon, Larry Gardner, Dianna Greenleaf,  Zac Harmon, Richard Johnston, Matthew Skoller, Susan Tedeschi, John Weston and Michelle Wilson. Musicians from around the world have commented that just getting the chance to play on historic Beale Street is worth the trip.
 
The first-place winner of Blues Competition will receive $750 dollars in cash and WVBS sponsorship to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in early 2009, where they can gain valuable exposure to record label A&R representatives Blues industry professionals, and festival promoters capable of providing real career advancement for a serious blues musician. The second place winner will receive $200 in cash and third-place winner will receive $100 in cash. The big winners, however, are the Blues fans who enjoy a day of Blues entertainment.
 
Winners at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis,  the city considered by many as the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock n Roll, receive cash and prizes such as professional consultations and assistance, gigs at some of the countrys best festivals, interviews in the worlds leading Blues publications, free website design and hosting, and even a slot on the 2010 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise."
 
CONTACT PERSON FOR COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS: Complete information, application & rules are available online at www.wvbluessociety.org.  Deadline for application submission is September 1, 2008.
 
For more information contact Competition Director, Jack Rice at 304-389-1438 or e-mail: bkravenhawk@hotmail.com
 
 
1  GARY MILLER
SUE BALL
 
3  BEN ADKINS
MIKE GLEATON
 
4  TERRY RINEHART
 
5  DAN AUBIHL
CHRIS COX
HAROLD "JR" HUGHES
JESSICA STEAR
 
6  RACHEL BOYD
SCOTT McCAHILL
 
10  DAWN NEIGER
 
11  PIPPA BLAKE
MICHAEL CHESSER
CHAZ HAGLOCH
BARB SWEGHEIMER
 
12  ROSS GARDNER
 
 
3  KATHY HEIDENREICH
BILL JACKSON
MARK YODER
 
17  VINNIE INCARNATO
18  JERRY WALLACE
 
20  LUCKY MIKE
CHRIS DOUTT
 
21  JIM SYLER
 
24  PATRICK PRETORIUS
KATHY MILLER
 
 
27  DEE BARNES
 
28  T J DUTTON
ANNA IONNO
 
29  STEVE MORRISON
 
MUSIC SCHEDULE
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