St. Louis Blues Society

The Road to Memphis and the International Blues Challenge

The International Blues Challenge (IBC) represents a worldwide search for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Acts ready to perform on the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. Each Affiliate of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and a solo/duo act to represent its organization at the IBC.

The IBC is judged by blues professionals from across the world who have years of experience in listening to, producing, and creating blues music. The Blues Foundation has established a set of RULES AND CRITERIA by which all acts are evaluated throughout the five days of the IBC. 

Affiliated organizations are required to stage a regional preliminary IBC competition, with the winner of that event representing the organization in the International Blues Challenge held annually in Memphis, TN along historic Beale Street. While Affiliated Organizations are encouraged to follow The Blues Foundation’s structure and rules during their local challenges, each organization is free to structure its preliminary rounds as it sees fit, as long as a true challenge between multiple acts takes place resulting in a single band and/or solo/duo act being identified as the affiliate representative.

The St. Louis Blues Society holds its local preliminary IBC competition, The Road to Memphis, each year. Bands or solo/duo acts seeking to participate in the competition must complete and submit an application for admission. Applications are available here on this page for a one-month window prior to the Road to Memphis event.

The St. Louis Blues Society Road to Memphis Competition takes place at 1pm on Sunday, November 1, 2026 * RESCHEDULED DATE
BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups; 700 South Broadway, St. Louis MO

The Blues Foundation IBC #42 takes place January 19-23, 2027 in Memphis TN

Please direct questions to Lee Howland at: ibc@stlouisbluessociety.org