Memphis’ International Blues Challenge

By Evie Fowler

Read here for information on the 35th International Blues Challenge right here in Memphis!

For the past 35 years, The Blues Foundation has hosted the International Blues Challenge here in Memphis. This event brings in around $4 million in revenue for the city along with volunteers and participants from all over the world. It took place on Jan. 22-26. The competition is a pretty big deal for our city, yet not many people living here know about it.

The way it works is that different blues societies all over the world host their own preliminary
competitions, and then in January, the winners along with blues lovers flood to Memphis to try to catch their big breaks.

Along with the competition itself, a host of daytime activities take place. Some include blues yoga; business workshops and free medical examinations for the musicians; and an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Care is provided for the musicians that they might not otherwise receive.

There are also over twenty venues downtown that have live music all through the weekend.

For 2019, the winners were Ms. Hy-C & Fresh Start from the St. Louis Blues Society for first place band and Jon Shain from the Triangle Blues Society for the first place solo artist.

The next major event hosted by The Blues Foundation in Memphis will be the 40th annual Blues Music Awards on May 9, 2019.