The River City Ohio Blues Competition
is the oldest and largest blues talent competition in Ohio, with 18 competition slots to be filled by local and regional blues acts from all over Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and other states. As the competition grows, so does the elvel of talent. Altogether, “The River City Ohio Blues Competition” has become the biggest music weekend event in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
While the competition can no longer be considered a purely “amateur” contest, “The International Blues Challenge” (IBC) represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations for the Blues band and Blues solo/duo most deserving of taking their act to the Inernational stage. In 2009, over 90 bands and 60 solo/duo acts from 34 states and 8 countries competed, making the IBC the largest gathering of Blues acts in the world.
This year’s “River City Ohio Blues Competition” will again be a TWO DAY event. Competition will begin on Friday night (February 19, 2010) with the 1st Preliminary. Saturday afternoon will be the 2nd Preliminary; and Saturday night will hold THE FINALS, with winners from the 1st and 2nd Preliminaries. This format accommodates more Blues fans and make the competition a “weekend” event.
THE FORMAT.
“The River City Ohio Blues Competition” will take place as follows:
FRIDAY NIGHT: 8pm – 11pm 1st PRELIMINARY; February 19, 2010 - 6 Blues Acts Compete - 2 Finalists Chosen
SATURDAY AFTERNOON: 12NOON – 6:00pm 2nd PRELIMINARY; February 20, 2010 - 12 Blues Acts Compete - 4 Finalists Chosen
SATURDAY NIGHT: 8 PM – 11:30PM THE FINALS; February 20, 2010- 6 Finalists Compete - 1st PLACE WINNER, 2nd & 3rd Chosen.
The first-place winner of The River City Ohio Blues Competition will receive $1000 dollars in cash and BJFMS sponsorship to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in early 2011, 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 rarely available in Southeast Ohio at a bargain price.
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 country’s best festivals, interviews in the world’s leading Blues publications, free website design and hosting, and even a slot on the “2011 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise."
Make sure you click on the following links to read and download RULES and APPLICATION, for 2010 “The River City Ohio Blues Competition”, or to learn more about “The International Blues Challenge” (IBC). Deadline to receive application is Friday, January 9, 2010.
2008 Competition Winners
TICKETS & INFORMATION:
Tickets available after December 1, 2009, $5/$10 m/nm Friday Night, $10/$15 m/nm Saturday Afternoon, $15/$20 m/nm Saturday Night, $25$40 m/nm Weekend Pass. For information call Steve Wells (anytime) 304-295-4323 bluesphotog@yahoo.com; For information and tickets call Peggy (evenings) 740-376-0222 bolen@bjfm.org. VISA/MasterCard/Discover accepted. PARTICIPATING BAND MEMBERS will be admitted FREE for the weekend. Special guest ticket (member prices) limit one per band member.. Doors open 1 hour before show time for each preliminary and the finals.
CONTACT PERSON FOR COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS:
Complete information, application & rules are available online at www.bjfm.org. Deadline for application submission is Friday, January 9, 2010. For questions contact Competition Director, John Gifford at 740-432-8827 after 3 PM (e-mail jgifford17799@roadrunner.com); or contact Assistant Competition Director, Steve Wells at 304-295-4323 (e-mail bluesphotog@yahoo.com); or e-mail bolen@bjfm.org,
ABOUT THE LAFAYETTE HOTEL:
One of the last riverboat-era hotels in America, The Lafayette opened on July 1, 1918, and was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, who visited Marietta in 1825 at a site near the hotel. With its distinctive triangular shape, the hotel offers guest rooms, recently beautifully redecorated with Victorian era style furniture and views of either the Ohio River or the Muskingum Rivers. The Lafayette is on the National Registry of Historic Buildings and is a member, Historic Hotels of America. It is the ambiance of the Lafayette on the banks of the Ohio River that adds to the experience of attending the River City Ohio Blues Competition. For rates and information, contact The Lafayette Hotel directly at 740-373-5522, 800-331-9336 or www.lafayettehotel.com.
ABOUT BJFM:
Formed in 1987 the non-profit 501(c) (3) all volunteer Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society presents live music not usually found in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Our purpose is to promote, educate and encourage these most desirable art forms.
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