For its 26th year, the Iowa Blues Challenge (IABC) is returning to its traditional spring time frame with preliminary round competitions scheduled in Fairfield on Saturday, April 27 at the Fairfield Best Western (date is same but venue has changed) and in Des Moines on Sunday, April 28 at Zimm’s Food & Spirits and on Sunday, May 19 at Lefty’s Live Music. The winners of each preliminary in both the Solo/Duo and Band categories will advance to the 2019 Iowa Blues Challenge Finals on Sunday, June 16 (Father’s Day – wouldn’t tickets be a great gift for Dad??) at the Des Moines Social Club. Finalists will compete for a prize package that includes cash, recording time, opportunities for paid gigs and entry into and travel expense stipend for the 2020 International Blues Challenge on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee in January.
Iowa-based Blues acts wishing to participate in the Iowa Blues Challenge must submit their completed application, photo and biography, as specified in the Rules, to the IABC Chair by e-mail by the entry deadline of Sunday, April 7, 2019.
Download the 2019 IABC Rules and Sample Ballot-.pdf
Download the 2019 IABC Application-.pdf
Download alternate 2019 IABC Application-.docx format
Download the Blues Foundation Affiliate Challenge Booklet-.pdf
2019 Iowa Blues Challenge Sponsors
Budweiser, Exile Brewing, Iowa Public Radio, Junior’s Motel, Rieman Music, Des Moines Social Club, VividPix & Design, Southeast Iowa Blues Society and Central Iowa Blues Society
