Congratulations goes out to The Pain Killers, Serious Business and The Mississippi Misfits on their advancement to the Final round of the 2012 Iowa Blues Challenge to be held Saturday, May 26th, 2012 at the Downtown Marriott at 700 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.

The 3 bands will each play a 45 minute set in the order listed above, starting at 8:30 PM. A panel of 5 judges will determine the placement of the bands that night.

For the nineteenth year, the Central Iowa Blues Society, in cooperation with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Lizard Creek Blues Society, South Skunk Blues Society and Southeast Iowa Blues Society presents the 2012 Iowa Blues Challenge, an all-Iowa Blues band contest. This contest is open to any Iowa Blues band that has not been nominated for the Blues Music Awards (Handy’s).

The Iowa Blues Challenge features one of the finest prize packages, for a contest of this kind, in the country. Prizes are awarded to the top bands, including—cash, travel expenses, recording time, as well as spots in the 2012 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, IA and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in February, 2013.

The 2012 Iowa Blues Challenge is proudly sponsored by Central Iowa Blues Society, Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Lizard Creek Blues Society, South Skunk Blues Society, Southeast Iowa Blues Society, Budweiser, Summit Brewing Co., Cumulus Media/94.9KGGO & 98.3WOW, Cityview, Junior’s Motel, Rieman Music, Zimm’s Food & Spirits and Muddy Waters.