Every year,  blues societies from around the world hold competitions to select blues groups, solos, and duos to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.  

From the IBC website:

​"The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for those Blues Bands and Solo/Duo Blues Acts ready to perform on the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. Each Affiliate of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and a solo/duo act to represent its organization at the IBC.

The IBC is judged by blues professionals from across the world who have years of experience in listening to, producing, and creating blues music. The Blues Foundation has established a set of criteria by which all acts are evaluated throughout the five days of the IBC.
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Affiliated organizations are required to stage a regional preliminary IBC competition, with the winner of that event representing the organization in the International Blues Challenge held annually in Memphis, TN along historic Beale Street. While Affilated Organizations are encouraged to follow The Blues Foundation’s structure and rules during their local challenges, each organization is free to structure its preliminary rounds as it sees fit, as long as a true challenge between multiple acts takes place resulting in a single band and/or solo/duo act being identified."


IBC 2018

The Grand River Blues Society (GRBS) selected it's representatives for the 2018 International Blues Challenge (IBC)  held in Memphis in January 2018.   Representing the Society in the Solo/Duo category was Tim Gibbons of T G and the Swampbusters and the Band category representative was  Gary Cain Band (Kitchener). Congratulations to these amazing acts ! Thanks for all the other fine musicians for your efforts and talent.