QC to Memphis Entry
The Montreal Blues Society is now taking registrations for the Band and the Solo/Duo categories
The Montreal Blues Society will be holding the "Quebec to Memphis" contest again this fall to determine which acts will represent the Society and Quebec in the Band and Solo/Duo categories in Memphis. The 36th International Blues Challenge (IBC 2020) will be held January 28th through February 1st, 2020 in the Beale Street Historic District. Blues acts sponsored by blues societies from around the world will vie for top spot at the largest gathering of blues musicians in the world.
This will be the 7th edition of "Quebec to Memphis" hosted by the Montreal Blues Society. Quebec acts have done extremely well in Memphis in the past, with semi-final appearances by Michael Jerome Browne, Dawn & Paul, and the Justin Saladino Band. The past editions have been particularly fruitful with finalist appearances three years in a row! A second-place finish by the Paul DesLauriers Band in 2016, then a first-place finish for Dawn Tyler Watson and The Ben Racine Band in 2017, and Angel Forrest Band on stage with the 8 finalists in 2018.
Here is what you need to know about the "Quebec to Memphis" competition before you make it to Memphis!
- This year’s "Quebec to Memphis" edition will be open for both the Band category and the Solo/Duo category.
- The contest is open to all Quebec-based acts.
- The IBC defines a Solo/Duo act as having 1 or 2 members.
- The registration period for the Solo/Duo category is open from May 15th, 2019 until midnight June 28th, 2019.
- The local competition for the Solo/Duo category will be held on the afternoon of August 25th, 2019, on the Rue Badeaux stage, during the Trois-Rivières en Blues festival.
- The IBC defines a Band as having 3 (or more) members.
- The registration period for the Band category is open from May 15th, 2019 until midnight August 9th, 2019.
- The local competition for the Band category will be held October 8th and 15th, 2019, in Montreal, at the Bistro à JoJo on St-Denis, between 5-9 pm.
- Acts must be available for the local competition date, and winners must be able to travel to the IBC in Memphis, January 28th through February 1st, 2020. If you can’t make these dates, this contest isn’t for you.
A panel of independent judges will score the performances using the IBC guidelines. Each act will play for 20-25 minutes (to be confirmed).
If you are interested in registering for the Quebec to Memphis Solo/Duo or Band challenge, complete the registration form at the bottom of this page. You then have 3 payment options for the registration fee of $25.00:
- Interac transfer to phil@bluesmontreal.com
- PayPal
- Cheque payable to the Montreal Blues Society, mailed to:
Montreal Blues Society
Attn.: Quebec to Memphis
63 Perrier
Ile Perrot, Qc J7V 8X4
In the event that there are an insufficient number of entries, the Montreal Blues Society reserves the right to modify or cancel the event entirely.
In the event that there are more entries than can be accommodated, the Montreal Blues Society will ask a panel of independent judges to determine the pre-selection - registration fees for acts not retained will be refunded.
The applicants understand that they are responsible for paying their own travel, lodging, and other expenses to get to, and while in, Memphis. The Montreal Blues Society will help the winning acts defray a portion of their expenses through the organization of fundraisers to help ease the financial burden. Any amounts that are in excess of the financial assistance provided by the MBS are the sole responsibility of the winning acts.
If you have any questions or require clarification about any of the points outlined above, please email phil@bluesmontreal.com
or send a text message to 514-465-9725.
International Blues Challenge Registration Form
Register with PayPal