SUNDAY – SEP 22 2024 @ 1PM
Lefty’s Live Music, 2307 University Ave, DM
2024 Iowa Blues Challenge
doors open at 12:45
CONGRATULATIONS to John Resch & Doggin’ Out (BAND) and Cedar County Cobras (SOLO/DUO)! They have been chosen to represent Iowa in the 2025 International Blues Challenge!
Join us for the 2024 Iowa Blues Challenge on September 22 at Lefty’s Live Music in Des Moines, IA. NO COVER – FREE EVENT!!! This year’s challenge consists of three Solo/Duo acts and three Bands. The performance schedule is as follows:
Participating acts will be vying for a prize package that includes cash, opportunities for paid gigs (including but not limited to the 2025 Winter Blues Fest) and travel expense stipend for the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, presented by The Blues Foundation. The Central Iowa Blues Society is an Affiliate of the Blues Foundation, which produces the annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
2024 Iowa Blues Challenge Sponsors
Iowa Blues Challenge Participants
1:00-1:20 – SOLO/DUO
Adrienne Sula and Don Salting
I am a passionate blues singer trying to get back to what makes my soul happy. I have sung with many talented musicians in many different arenas, but haven’t yet put together anything professional. I am very privileged to be under the tutelage of the lovely Tina Haase Findlay, who suggested this would be an incredible opportunity to share my talent and meet other equally passionate musicians. Singing is what I was born to do, but I have to practice law to pay the bills. I would be honored and humbled to be a part of the Iowa Blues Challenge.
1:35-1:55 – BAND
KAT Blue and the True Believers
KAT Blue & The True Believers are thrilled to be a part of adding new generations to the pool of amazing Iowa Blues fans, with Powerhouse Rockin’ Blues!
Led by song stylist KAT Blue, this collaboration of experienced Iowa musicians brings the heat and does not let up! Between them they have a list of references from the Iowa music community that is longer than your arm. The band member chemistry & joy from making music as a team is evident from the moment they take the stage.
Tapping into decades of successful stage performances, they are ready to take on the world!
Buckle-up to be taken on a journey of high level, passionate, unique song choices profoundly influenced by Etta James, Beth Hart, Joe Bonamassa, Tab Benoit, Susan Tedeschi and more. Join us on an unpredictable, exciting ride–an entertaining show with thrills that will give you goosebumps!
KAT Blue’s vocals will catch your attention, while her strong, sultry interpretations steal your heart and rock your soul. Each musician confirms his place in the spotlight, thrilling the crowd with talented performances that leave you wanting to hear more.
2:10-2:30 – SOLO/DUO
Tone Fox
Blues music is my first musical love. When I was 12 my parents gave me a cheap plastic phonograph and some record albums, including one record that gave me shivers and touched my musical soul. BB King Live – a London import, I think. I was hooked.
I’ve carried the blues with me through all my musical bands and projects. 11 albums and touring across the U.S. and Europe as a solo artist and with Western Iowa’s Slamagundi, and the “whiskey gospel” band King of the Tramps. My latest project is a dirty blues album with an allstar cast, set for release in 2024.
Tone Fox performs in 432hz referenced tunings and is the face of my Activate 432 project. Performing spontaneous music in alternate frequencies. Tone Fox is the soul part of the blues. I am Tone Fox, you are Tone Fox.
I believe that music can heal and take away sadness. I believe music can bring joy, if only for a moment. This is the reason I write and play my music. No matter where the venue is big, or small, I will always give everything I have to entertain the audience, and to make them feel better than they did when they came to the show. This is my passion, and my life and anyone who has seen me perform knows this is true.
2:45-3:05 – BAND
Elsie Warren & the Horse You Rode In On
We are just some friends that get together to jam and be musical, with an emphasis on blues & blues-rock, with touches of soul & funkiness, we sing and we play for the fun of it!
3:45- 4:05 – SOLO/DUO
Cedar County Cobras
Cedar County Cobras play American Roots & Blues music from the last century. The music takes on an “old-time” blues feel that would most likely be found in a juke-joint down a gravel road in rural Iowa. Arriving with an upright bass, foot-drum, a mandolin, and a collection of guitars this duo plays music that is best described as contagious, acoustic rockabilly swamp blues, or old-time country with the gritty sound of soulful blues. Tom Spielbauer is the singer/songwriter for the duo and is known for playing slide guitar. His music partner, April Dirks, plays the boogie-blues on the upright bass. Tom is also the winner of the 2022 Central Iowa Blues Challenge and placed as a semi-finalist at the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. The Cobras have played hundreds of shows across Iowa from the local brewery to large festival stages. For more information on the Cobras visit cedarcountycobras.com
4:20-4:40 – BAND
John Resch and Doggin’ Out
John Resch & Doggin’ Out is a four piece band playing west coast swing and Chicago electric blues with a mix of both covers and original material.
Formed in 2019, Doggin’ Out has quickly risen to the top of the music scene in the Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities and surrounding areas.
Call for Acts
The Central Iowa Blues Society is seeking acts for the 2024 Iowa Blues Challenge. This competition will decide who will represent Iowa in the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN where hundreds of acts from around the world converge on Beale Street to perform before music industry pros searching for new talent, with the chance to win prizes, notable gigs, and make career-changing contacts!
Iowa Blues Challenge applications are available now. We will begin accepting submissions on a first come first serve basis beginning July 8th. NOTE: We cannot accept applications prior to the July 8 date.
- Application AVAILABLE NOW download above
- Application SUBMISSION begins July 8, 2024 (do not submit before July 8)
- Application DEADLINE is August 16, 2024
NOTE: the application is a fillable PDF. You will need to save to your
device and then complete it and SAVE again to retain the information.
Once completed and saved, submit with your high resolution photo.
Please contact the Iowa Blues Challenge Chair with questions.
Julie Spong — 515-401-8495 or challenge@cibs.org
How to Compete – Important Information
- Up to FOUR Bands will be chosen to participate
- Up to FOUR Solo/Duo acts will be chosen to participate
- There must be three entries in each category to hold the competition
- Only Acts with a COMPLETED application will be accepted; meaning all sections of the application must be completed and photo submitted
- Completed applications should be emailed to Julie Spong at challenge@cibs.org
Restrictions
- An act may enter the IBC a maximum of three times after which they are no longer eligible
- An act may not participate In the IBC three consecutive years
- Acts are limited to the state of Iowa
Performance Categories
- Band: any act with more than two members
- Solo/Duo: any act with only one or two members
Equipment Provided
- A PA system, mic, drum kits and throne
- Drummers may bring their own throne, cymbals, snare, and kick pedal
Time Limits
- Each act is allotted 20 minutes for their performance. Timing begins when the first note is played
- Please review all rules and scoring criteria at https://blues.org/official-ibc-rules/
Judging
Acts in the Central Iowa Blues Challenge perform for a panel of independent judges and are scored using the same criteria used by the Blues Foundation at the IBC. You can find the rules and criteria at: https://blues.org/official-ibc-rules/. The highest scoring act in each category will be our representatives.
2024 Iowa Blues Challenge Sponsors
