Maritimes to Memphis - Be Part of the Journey 2014
This year, the East Coast Blues Society is holding its second Maritimes to Memphis - Be Part of the Journey local blues competition, which will be split into two categories … the Solo/Duo Competition and the Band Competition. Semi-finals will take place Sunday September 14th & 21st and the finals will be held Sunday October 12th, 2014. The winners in each category will travel to Memphis TN to compete as ECBS representatives in the International Blues Challenge to be held Wednesday January 21st to Saturday January 24th, 2015.
Depending on the number of entrants, additional dates may be added. We have reserved Sunday October 19th as a tentative overflow date for the finals to be held if necessary. All events will take place at Monte's Showbar and Grill starting at 3PM.
Submission of entries will be accepted between Friday August 8th and Sunday August 31st 2014 via email or regular mail. A downloadable Application Form will be posted on the ECBS website that must be completed and sent in via email or mail before the submission deadline.
For the purposes of the IBC, a band is any act with three or more musicians; vocalists are counted as musicians for the purpose of this competition. Both electric and acoustic instruments are allowed. At this local competition, entrants will be judged by the same criteria used for the International competition. Each band will have 20-25 minutes to perform and will be given points based on Blues Content, Vocals, Talent, Originality and Stage Presence. For full details on scoring criteria and official rules, see the Blues Foundation website or download this information package we have put together.
Eligibility Requirements:
Band members must be residents of the Maritimes.
Entrants must be available for both qualifying and final rounds and be able to travel to the IBC in Memphis, January 21-January 24, 2015.
Entrants will play one set; set length will be 20-25 minutes (to be confirmed).
All songs presented MUST be Blues (electric or acoustic), Rock/ Blues, Jazz/Blues, Country Blues or Rhythm & Blues.
Entries should be made by downloading the Application Form and Checklist here. Completed forms with the required information must be emailed to info@eastcoastblues.ca on or before the submission deadline of midnight, August 31st, 2014. We will also accept submissions via snail mail at P.O. Box 31022, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 5T9 and must be postmarked no later than August 31st, 2014.
In your email/ mail, please include the following information: (see application form and checklist)
¯ names and contact info (email, phone) for all band members
¯ brief biography
¯ summary of the band’s experience and performance history
¯ audio sample of music (link to MySpace, band website, MP3 or CD).
Every effort will be made to accommodate all applications that are received on time and meet the established criteria. However, should it be required for any reason deemed appropriate, the East Coast Blues Society reserves the right to limit the number of entrants in the competition. Should it be necessary to exercise this right, a pre-screening of the applications received will be conducted based on the sample music provided. The results of the pre-screening process are final.
You will be contacted with further information following your submission. Please address any questions to ibc@eastcoastblues.ca
