IBC was held January 7-11, 2025 on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee!
Tickets will go on sale on October 1, 2024.
The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for blues bands and solo/duo blues performers ready for the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. The world’s largest gathering of blues musicians will take place on Beale Street, with over 20 clubs hosting the challengers and fans.
Results for the 2025 International Blues Challenge:
IBC 2025 #40: January 7-11, 2025
Band:
• 1st Place = Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal – Blues Society of Omaha, NE
• 2nd Place = Ra’Shad the Blues Kid – Magic City Blues Society, Birmingham, AL
• 3rd Place = Dylan Salfer, Minnesota Blues Society, Minneapolis, MN
Solo/Duo:
• 1st Place = Joce Reyome – East Coast Blues Society, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (CAN)
• 2nd Place = 2 Blue for You – Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola, MS
Awards:
• Best Guitarist = Dylan Salfer, Minnesota Blues Society, Minneapolis, MN
• Memphis Cigar Box = Nick Charles, Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, (AUS)
• Lee Oskar Harmonica = Jock Webb Sr w/ Ra’Shad the Blues Kid, Bham, AL
• Best Self-Produced CD = Revelation, Piper & the Hard Times – Nashville, TN
Finalists – Best Self-Produced CD:
• From Clarksdale with Love, Nico Wayne Toussaint Band, France Blues
• The VeVay Sessions, Ricky Nye – Cincy Blues Society, OH
• The Sauce, Sauce Boss – North Central Florida Blues Society, Gainesville, FL
• Live from the Slippery Noodle, King Bee & the Stingers – Central Kentucky Blues Society, KY
• Revelation, Piper & the Hard Times – Nashville Blues & Roots Alliance, TN
Finalists – Bands:
• Nardia, Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, (AUS),
• The See See Riders, BluesBaltica (GER),
• Ra’Shad the Blues Kid – Magic City Blues Society, Birmingham, AL
• Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal – Blues Society of Omaha, NE
• Dylan Salfer, Minnesota Blues Society, Minneapolis, MN
Finalists – Solo/Duo:
• Cory Luetjen Duo – Charlotte Blues Society, NC
• 2 Blue for You – Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola, MS
• Joce Reyome – East Coast Blues Society, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (CAN)
• Nick Charles, Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, (AUS)
• John F. Klaver – Dutch Blues Foundation, Netherlands
• Lynette Barber & Will Ellis – Triangle Blues Society, Raleigh, NC
