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The Montreal Blues Society is once again proud to participate in the 2020 International Blues Challenge’s Best Self-Produced CD Award contest. In 2005, The Blues Foundation established an award for the Best Self-Produced CD, given out at the International Blues Challenge, as part of their mission to celebrate blues recordings and to ensure the future of this uniquely American art form. The award was created to recognize excellence in independent Blues recordings.
The Blues Foundation, based in Memphis, is the organization which oversees the Blues Hall of Fame, the Blues Music Awards, and the International Blues Challenge. The Blues Foundation organizes the International Blues Challenge (IBC) which allows blues artists all over the world to perform in front of people from the industry and to showcase their art.
During the last 3 years, Quebec artists have benefited from this event on the international scene. In the past, albums by Riot and the Blues Devils, Guy Bélanger, and Angel Forrest have been selected by a panel of independent judges to represent the Montreal Blues Society. In 2013, our entry by Steve Hill (Solo Recordings: Volume 1) was chosen as the worldwide winner by the IBC panel in Memphis. Who will it be this year?
Prizes and opportunities for the winner vary from year to year. For more information about the Best Self-Produced CD Award competition, please visit The Blues Foundation’s website at: https://blues.org/self-produced-cd-award/
To participate in this competition, your album must have been released between November 1st, 2018 and September 30th, 2019.
RULES
With the help of some of Quebec’s blues personalities, the winner will be selected based on the following criteria, in order of importance:
- Blues Content
- Musical Performance
- Audio Quality and Production Value of the Recording
- Professionalism and Visual Appearance of Cover Art and Design
- Credits and Liner Note Information
10 points will be awarded for each category. The album with the most points will be selected and mailed off to Memphis to compete.
Please be advised that three copies of your album will be required for the judges.
If your entry is selected to represent the Montreal Blues Society, 4 additional copies of the CD will be sent to Memphis.
The winner does NOT have to attend the International Blues Challenge in Memphis for this category. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the Solo/Duo and Band category finals at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis on February 1, 2020.
Send the requested material at the following mailing address by September 30th, 2019 to confirm your entry. If you’re album has already been released when you read this, please submit your application now – do not wait until the deadline please!
There are no fees to enter this contest.
IMPORTANT: If you are planning on releasing your album after September 8th, please get in touch with us for more information.
Thank you for your participation.
Send CD to:
Montreal Blues Society
Attention: Best Self-Produced CD
63 Perrier
Ile Perrot, Qc J7V 8X4
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact: phil@bluesmontreal.com
Quebec to Memphis Contest Registration Form
International Blues Challenge Registration Form
Quebec to Memphis 2026 — Solo/Duo Registration Now Open
The Montreal Blues Society is now accepting registrations for the Solo/Duo category of its annual "Quebec to Memphis" contest. This fall, the Society will select one act to represent Quebec and the Montreal Blues Society at the 42nd International Blues Challenge (IBC 2026), taking place January 13–17 in Beale Street’s Historic District, Memphis.
The IBC is the largest gathering of blues musicians in the world, with acts sponsored by blues societies from across the globe competing for top honors.
Quebec’s Legacy in Memphis
Quebec artists have consistently made their mark at the IBC. Past highlights include:
- Semi-finalists: Michael Jerome Browne, Justin Saladino Band
- Finalists three years in a row:
- Dawn Tyler Watson & Paul Deslauriers - Finalist in 2012
- Paul DesLauriers Band – 2nd place in 2016
- Dawn Tyler Watson & The Ben Racine Band – 1st place in 2017
- Ben Racine - Guitarist of the Year in 2017
- Angel Forrest Band – Finalist in 2018
- Denis Viel & Little Leslie - Finalist 2020
- Adam Karch – Winner of the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award (Best Solo/Duo Guitarist) in 2023
This will be the 11th edition of "Quebec to Memphis" hosted by the Montreal Blues Society.
Contest Details
- Category: Solo/Duo only (1 or 2 members, as defined by the IBC)
- Eligibility: Open to all Quebec-based acts
- Registration period: August 10 to midnight August 31, 2025
- Local competition venue: Bistro à Jojo
- Date: October 7th, 2025
- Performance time: 20–25 minutes (to be confirmed)
- Judging: By a panel of independent judges using IBC guidelines
- Travel dates: January 13–17, 2026 — you must be available and have a valid passport
Travel & Financial Support
The winning act is responsible for covering their own travel, lodging, and expenses in Memphis. The Montreal Blues Society will organize fundraisers to help defray a portion of these costs. Any expenses beyond the financial support provided are the sole responsibility of the winning act.
Questions?
- For more information or clarification, please contact:
info@bluesmontreal.com
La Société Blues Montréal prend maintenant
les inscriptions pour la catégorie Solo/Duo
La Société Blues Montréal organisera à nouveau le concours « Québec à Memphis » ce mois d'août pour déterminer quels artistes représenteront la Société et le Québec dans la catégorie Solo/Duo à Memphis. Le 38e International Blues Challenge (IBC 2023) se tiendra du 31 janvier au 4 février 2023 dans le quartier historique de Beale Street. Des artistes de blues parrainés par des sociétés de blues du monde entier se disputeront la première place lors du plus grand rassemblement de musiciens de blues au monde.
Ce sera la 8e édition du concours "Québec à Memphis" présenté par la Société Blues Montréal. Les artistes québécois se sont extrêmement bien classés à Memphis par le passé, avec des apparitions en demi-finale de Michael Jerome Browne, Dawn & Paul et du Justin Saladino Band. Les éditions passées ont été particulièrement fructueuses avec des finalistes trois années de suite! Une deuxième place du Paul DesLauriers Band en 2016, puis une première place pour Dawn Tyler Watson et le Ben Racine Band en 2017, ainsi que Angel Forrest Band parmi les huit (8) finalistes en 2018.
Voici ce que vous devez savoir à propos du concours « Québec à Memphis » avant de vous y inscrire :
- L'édition « Québec à Memphis » de cette année sera ouverte à la catégorie Solo/Duo.
- Le concours est ouvert à tous les artistes québécois.
- L'IBC définit un acte solo/duo comme ayant 1 ou 2 membres.
- La période d'inscription pour la catégorie Solo/Duo est ouverte du 31 mai jusqu'au 30 juin 2022 à minuit.
- La compétition locale pour la catégorie Solo/Duo aura lieu l'après-midi du 28 août 2022, lors du festival Trois-Rivières en Blues à la nouvelle scène Voltflex du port au coin de la rue Notre-Dame et de la rue des Forges.
- Les actes doivent être disponibles pour la date du concours local et les gagnants doivent pouvoir se rendre à l'IBC à Memphis, du 31 janvier au 4 février 2023. Si vous n'êtes pas disponibles durant ces dates, ce concours n'est pas pour vous.
- Les actes doivent également respecter les exigences des frontières américaines et canadiennes concernant les vaccinations, les tests, etc.
- Tous les musiciens doivent détenir un passeport valide. Seuls les passeports dont la date d'expiration est supérieure à août 2023 seront considérés valides au moment du Challenge, alors vérifiez vos passeports dès maintenant !
- Un panel de juges indépendants notera les performances en utilisant les directives de l'IBC. Chaque acte durera 20-25 minutes (à confirmer).
- Si vous êtes intéressé à vous inscrire au concours Québec à Memphis pour la catégorie Solo/Duo, il y a des frais d'inscription de 25 $. Remplissez le formulaire d'inscription au bas de cette page. Vous pouvez ensuite effectuer le paiement via notre lien PayPal (ne nécessite pas de compte PayPal).
- Advenant un nombre insuffisant d'inscriptions, la Société Blues Montréal se réserve le droit de modifier ou d'annuler entièrement l'événement.
- Advenant qu'il y ait plus d'inscriptions qu'il n'est possible d'en recevoir, la Société Blues Montréal demandera à un panel de juges indépendants de déterminer la présélection - les frais d'inscription pour les actes non retenus seront remboursés.
- Les candidats comprennent qu'ils sont responsables de payer leurs propres dépenses de voyage, d'hébergement et autres pour se rendre à Memphis et y séjourner. La Société Blues Montréal aidera les artistes gagnants à défrayer une partie de leurs dépenses en organisant des collectes de fonds pour aider à alléger le fardeau financier. Tout montant dépassant l'aide financière fournie par la SBM relève de la seule responsabilité du/des gagnant(s).
Nous vous suggérons de télécharger les règles et directives de l'IBC en cliquant sur le bouton ci-dessous. (Version anglaise seulement)
Si vous avez des questions ou avez besoin plus de précisions, veuillez envoyer un courriel à societebluesmontreal@gmail.com.
Formulaire d'inscription Concours Québec à Memphis
Inscrivez-vous avec PayPal - 25 $
REGISTRATIONS NOW CLOSED
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON - STAY TUNED!
The Montreal Blues Society is now taking
registrations for the Solo/Duo category
The Montreal Blues Society will be holding the "Quebec to Memphis" contest again this August to determine which acts will represent the Society and Quebec in the Solo/Duo category in Memphis. The 38th International Blues Challenge (IBC 2023) will be held January 31st through February 4th, 2023 in the Beale Street Historic District. Blues acts sponsored by blues societies from around the world will vie for top spot at the largest gathering of blues musicians in the world.
This will be the 8th edition of "Quebec to Memphis" hosted by the Montreal Blues Society. Quebec acts have done extremely well in Memphis in the past, with semi-final appearances by Michael Jerome Browne, Dawn & Paul, and the Justin Saladino Band. The past editions have been particularly fruitful with finalist appearances three years in a row! A second-place finish by the Paul DesLauriers Band in 2016, then a first-place finish for Dawn Tyler Watson and The Ben Racine Band in 2017, and Angel Forrest Band on stage with the 8 finalists in 2018.
Here is what you need to know about the "Quebec to Memphis" competition before you make it to Memphis:
- This year’s "Quebec to Memphis" edition will be open for the Solo/Duo category.
- The contest is open to all Quebec-based acts.
- The IBC defines a Solo/Duo act as having 1 or 2 members.
- The registration period for the Solo/Duo category is open from May 31st, 2022 until midnight June 30th, 2022.
- The local competition for the Solo/Duo category will be held on the afternoon of August 28th, 2022, during the Trois-Rivières en Blues festival at the new Voltflex stage in the port at the corner of Rue Notre-Dame and Rue des Forges.
- Acts must be available for the local competition date, and winners must be able to travel to the IBC in Memphis, January 31st through February 4th, 2023. If you can’t make these dates, this contest isn’t for you.
- Acts must also abide by the US and Canadian border requirements regarding vaccinations, testing, etc.
- All musicians must hold a valid passport. Only passports with an expiration date beyond August 2023 will be valid at the time of the Challenge, so check your passports now!
- A panel of independent judges will score the performances using the IBC guidelines. Each act will play for 20-25 minutes (to be confirmed).
- If you are interested in registering for the Quebec to Memphis Solo/Duo challenge, there is a registration fee of $25. Complete the registration form at the bottom of this page. You then can make the payment via our PayPal link (does not require a PayPal account).
- In the event that there are an insufficient number of entries, the Montreal Blues Society reserves the right to modify or cancel the event entirely.
- In the event that there are more entries than can be accommodated, the Montreal Blues Society will ask a panel of independent judges to determine the pre-selection - registration fees for acts not retained will be refunded.
- The applicants understand that they are responsible for paying their own travel, lodging, and other expenses to get to, and while in, Memphis. The Montreal Blues Society will help the winning acts defray a portion of their expenses through the organization of fundraisers to help ease the financial burden. Any amounts that are in excess of the financial assistance provided by the MBS are the sole responsibility of the winning acts.
We suggest that you download the IBC rules and guidelines by clicking the button below.
If you have any questions or require clarification, please email societebluesmontreal@gmail.com.
Quebec to Memphis Contest Registration Form
Register with PayPal - $25
PARTICIPANTS FOR THE SOLO/DUO QUEBEC TO MEMPHIS CONTEST ARE:
Michael Jerome Brown
Southside Denny
Cliff Stevens
Adam Karch
Matt Gibb