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Ibc 2011 News From The Blues Foundation

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parchman

Ibc 2011 News From The Blues Foundation

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 1337

Mar 24 10 1:48 PM

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From Joe Whitmer at the Blues Foundation office in today's e-mail:

QUOTE

The 2011 International Blues Challenge will have a new format.

1. There will be four nights of competition. The contest will begin with all acts competing in the first night of the quarterfinal on Wednesday, February 2 and continue with a second night of quarterfinals on Thursday February 3. Some acts will then advance to the semifinal on Friday night. The number of acts advancing on Friday will depend on the number of acts and venues. The finals will once again be on Saturday.

The purpose of this expanded format is to accommodate increasing numbers of participating acts. The IBC is like a funnel. In theory, we can handle as many acts as there are when we start, but by Saturday, they have to be narrowed to about 10 bands and 8 solo/duo acts. This is the purpose of the added step. I would note that an increasing number of acts will now get to play 3 times (if they advance to the semifinals) and 4 times (if they advance to the finals) instead of the current 2 and 3 times.

In addition, the FedEx International Showcase will likely be held on Tuesday, February 1. Act registration and orientation would be during the day Wednesday February 2.

2. Deadline for act registration will be midnight November 14, 2010.

3. Stay tuned for further changes as we adjust to the increasing size of the event.

Out from Cottonville, Mississippi

"There are no disasters, only opportunities. And indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters."

Boris Johnson

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bluesguy

#1

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 6674

Mar 25 10 2:10 AM

As a fan this all sounds good. I wonder how the musicians will feel about this.

David Tannen
Check Out: All things me

Living in St. Paul MN

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gdudiv

#2

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 724

Mar 25 10 11:20 AM

I think it's a fine idea - the Blues Foundation is stepping up, taking their best shot at improving what has become a logistical monster for everyone involved. Those of us, fans and participants alike, who buy into what the IBC is all about are going to love another day of hanging out with friends, networking, showcasing, and taking in the coolest industrywide par-tay out there. I'm interested in how the judges (volunteers all) are feeling about signing on to another day. Also, the financial factor just grew by 25% or more for participants. Local Blues societies need to consider this and push up their regionals a bit, to give their bands and their sponsors (if any) time to save more jack. As much as we all love participating in the IBC, another 200 dollar per man out of pocket can be a stretch for most of us. This is not a complaint as much as an observation from a 4-time participant...... hopefully a 5-timer.

I play mostly custom instruments, from my frankenstein tele to the handmade lap steels aka Sipsy River steels, Larrivee acoustics, Crate, and Mesa Boogie amps, Snake Oil Brand strings on my electrics, DR and Elixers on my acoustics.

http://www.2blumusic.com
http://www.dontfretinstruments.com

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parchman

#3

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 1337

Mar 25 10 12:02 PM

QUOTE (gdudiv @ March 25, 2010 06:20 am)

I think it's a fine idea - the Blues Foundation is stepping up, taking their best shot at improving what has become a logistical monster for everyone involved.� Those of us, fans and participants alike, who buy into what the IBC is all about are going to love another day of hanging out with friends, networking, showcasing, and taking in the coolest industrywide par-tay out there.� I'm interested in how the judges (volunteers all) are feeling about signing on to another day.� Also, the financial factor just grew by 25% or more for participants.� Local Blues societies need to consider this and push up their regionals a bit, to give their bands and their sponsors (if any) time to save more jack.� As much as we all love participating in the IBC, another 200 dollar per man out of pocket can be a stretch for most of us.� This is not a complaint as much as an observation from a 4-time participant......� hopefully a 5-timer.�

Valid points, and these were considered. At least five other plans were considered and this seemed to be the simplest way to accommodate more entries without a total overhaul of the IBC. We chose to tweak a system that was working rather than start over with an unknown.

Over the last three years the number of contestants has gone from roughly 150 to 180 to 220. With the additional affiliates, growth projects now to as many as 400 participants in a couple of years, Something had to change to continue to be as inclusive as possible.

We did look at increased costs to individuals before adding the day. Expenses to fans and participants will increase, but not quite by 25%. We found that many people were already coming in on Wednesday and took that into consideration before expanding. Travel costs should stay the same, but there will be an extra hotel night and one more day of food for those who choose to come early and stay late.

Out from Cottonville, Mississippi

"There are no disasters, only opportunities. And indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters."

Boris Johnson

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blues blonde

#4

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Posts: 464

Mar 25 10 12:13 PM

Thanks for the info! Will inform those who are planning the local challenge as they seem to wait until really late to get it going...more money will be needed.

Works for me- I will get to see more musicians/bands...more BLUES!

Jan, the blues blonde

22 miles due north of the Northside Tavern, OTP, Atlanta

barkingdogblues

stolibluesdog channel on YouTube

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Sassie

#5

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 18977

Mar 25 10 12:49 PM

QUOTE (parchman @ March 25, 2010 05:02 am)

Travel costs should stay the same, but there will be an extra hotel night and one more day of food for those who choose to come early and stay late.

And for some folks (yours truly) an extra day or two of lost wages.

Still, I understand something had to be done.

Thanks for the report, Parch.

Never put off til tomorrow what you can do the day after.

Colorado, USA

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backalleyblues

#6

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 590

Mar 25 10 12:58 PM

I kinda wish this was in effect last year-Walker Smith Group probably would have made the semi-finals under this format. From the sounds of it, it's gonna be 10-12 bands per venue in the quarterfinals, with 12 venues (I'm only talking bands here at the moment). Semi-finals would probably be held in 3 venues, again 10-12 bands each venue, meaning that the top 3 bands in each quarter-final venue would have advanced to the semis. And so on...

From what I had gathered (and personal opinion of the bands I heard in my venue) it would have been WSG, Jackie Scott, and probably Sugar Thieves that would have advanced under this format, assuming I'm correct about the format...

I'm sure Parchman will keep us posted on all the fun stuff...

Franc Robert

Just living the blues
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Franc Robert & The Boxcar Tourists
Franc's own MySpace page
Franc's ReverbNation page

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Slim Lively

#7

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 10499

Mar 25 10 1:36 PM

Doesn't change much for me, I am usually there by Sunday anyway. It'll mean just a bit more work at the office in a shorter amount of time before the move and going into the hotel a day earlier with all the gear. I'm a glutton for the work, though. The best part is having all our friends gather another day to have fun and hear super music!! How can that not be a winning proposition?

Slim Lively

8-time Nominee Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards
2000, 2008 & 2011 Back What You Believe Recipient
2008 Lifetime Achievement Recipient
2006 Friend of The Blues Foundation Outstanding Achievement Recipient
2-time Nominee Portland Music Awards Outstanding Achievement in Blues (2010 & 2011)
2012 Portland Music Award nominee as producer of Best Compilation Recording, Puddletown Blues, Vol. 1

Portland, OR

". . . And then in the end, it's family and friends, loving yourself, but not only yourself, it's about the good walk and the hard walk, and the young girls you made cry, it's about making a little music everyday 'til you die, it's a beautiful ride . . . " Dewey Cox

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7844473

#8

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 30580

Mar 25 10 5:15 PM

What ?

One more day ?

Mmmh, I'm thinking of making plans to come back next year.

Rene
Paris, France.

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bbarnard

#9

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Posts: 167

Mar 26 10 5:15 PM

Be interesting to see how it pans out with the extra day included.

Perhaps the BF should look at some regional competitions to help keep costs down. Yes, March Madness is creeping into my thinking here.

www.6streetmusic.com
user posted image

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Slim Lively

#10

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 10499

Mar 26 10 5:37 PM

QUOTE (bbarnard @ March 26, 2010 05:15 pm)

Be interesting to see how it pans out with the extra day included.

Perhaps the BF should look at some regional competitions to help keep costs down. Yes, March Madness is creeping into my thinking here.

What? And lose out on all that extra cash that would come in from the possibility of all the societies coming to Memphis. Wonder what the Beale Street Merchants would think? Besides that, determining where/when regionals would be held and how they'd be run. Interesting idea, however.

Slim Lively

8-time Nominee Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards
2000, 2008 & 2011 Back What You Believe Recipient
2008 Lifetime Achievement Recipient
2006 Friend of The Blues Foundation Outstanding Achievement Recipient
2-time Nominee Portland Music Awards Outstanding Achievement in Blues (2010 & 2011)
2012 Portland Music Award nominee as producer of Best Compilation Recording, Puddletown Blues, Vol. 1

Portland, OR

". . . And then in the end, it's family and friends, loving yourself, but not only yourself, it's about the good walk and the hard walk, and the young girls you made cry, it's about making a little music everyday 'til you die, it's a beautiful ride . . . " Dewey Cox

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Blues Geographer

#11

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Posts: 289

Mar 26 10 6:54 PM

QUOTE (Slim Lively @ March 26, 2010 02:07 pm)

QUOTE (bbarnard @ March 26, 2010 05:15 pm)

Be interesting to see how it pans out with the extra day included.

Perhaps the BF should look at some regional competitions to help keep costs down. Yes, March Madness is creeping into my thinking here.

What? And lose out on all that extra cash that would come in from the possibility of all the societies coming to Memphis. Wonder what the Beale Street Merchants would think? Besides that, determining where/when regionals would be held and how they'd be run. Interesting idea, however.

Did someone call for a geographer?

Sandor Gulyas
East Claridon/Marengo/Clintonville, Ohio
Baton Rouge/Zachary, Louisiana

Teddy's Juke Joint: Website | Myspace | Facebook

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Slim Lively

#12

[-]

Deepest Blue

Posts: 10499

Mar 26 10 7:22 PM

Okay, so if we need to have a council on where to hold the event and what time of year would be best weatherwise we contact Sandor for geography and Kevin Selfe for meterology.

Slim Lively

8-time Nominee Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards
2000, 2008 & 2011 Back What You Believe Recipient
2008 Lifetime Achievement Recipient
2006 Friend of The Blues Foundation Outstanding Achievement Recipient
2-time Nominee Portland Music Awards Outstanding Achievement in Blues (2010 & 2011)
2012 Portland Music Award nominee as producer of Best Compilation Recording, Puddletown Blues, Vol. 1

Portland, OR

". . . And then in the end, it's family and friends, loving yourself, but not only yourself, it's about the good walk and the hard walk, and the young girls you made cry, it's about making a little music everyday 'til you die, it's a beautiful ride . . . " Dewey Cox

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Beth Cobb

#13

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Posts: 1247

Mar 26 10 8:38 PM

I'm not totally sure how the IBC is run, but how would this effect volunteers. Do you have enough to help with the extra day? Are most of the volunteers locals? Also, how would this effect the cost of the IBC for people attending? Would the price stay the same, or would it go up? Just a question to consider for those who have to plan and pay for the trip.

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parchman

#14

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 1337

Mar 28 10 2:21 AM

QUOTE (bbarnard @ March 26, 2010 12:15 pm)

Be interesting to see how it pans out with the extra day included.

Perhaps the BF should look at some regional competitions to help keep costs down. Yes, March Madness is creeping into my thinking here.

We did look at that. As someone pointed out, deciding when and where to hold regionals, ensuring impartial judges, putting in place enough volunteers, etc seemed to be more than the Blues Foundation could handle at present.

Again, one of the goals was to expand as much as possible without changing the format any more than we had to.

Out from Cottonville, Mississippi

"There are no disasters, only opportunities. And indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters."

Boris Johnson

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bluesguy

#15

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 6674

Mar 28 10 2:02 PM

What you end up with is more blues, for more days all concentrated in one spot. Those all sound like good things.

David Tannen
Check Out: All things me

Living in St. Paul MN

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gdudiv

#16

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 724

Mar 29 10 11:05 AM

QUOTE (bluesguy @ March 28, 2010 08:02 am)

What you end up with is more blues, for more days all concentrated in one spot. Those all sound like good things.

That's the bottom line right there.

I play mostly custom instruments, from my frankenstein tele to the handmade lap steels aka Sipsy River steels, Larrivee acoustics, Crate, and Mesa Boogie amps, Snake Oil Brand strings on my electrics, DR and Elixers on my acoustics.

http://www.2blumusic.com
http://www.dontfretinstruments.com

user posted image

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RDHOFFMAN

#17

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Deepest Blue

Posts: 1792

Mar 29 10 11:40 AM

Count me in for the ride!! /appl.gif

Randy Hoffman
Bloomington, IL

Blues Blowtorch Society

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7844473

#18

[-]

Deepest Blue

Posts: 30580

Mar 29 10 11:46 AM

I hope I can join you again next year too !
If I do, anyone fancies a short Delta trip afterwards ?

I could get used to it.

Rene
Paris, France.

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ColonelLee

#19

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Posts: 1987

Mar 30 10 3:02 AM

Got that same news...

We've talked it over a bit locally.. there's no negatives for the audience.. no negatives for Beale.. none for the Blues Foundation.. why not?

-------------

For the competing acts.. it's a possible extra day of expense.. if the band makes the semi-finals .........however, if the band does not make the semi-finals the basic required costs is still just 2 days in Memphis. (a band or solo can stay the other 2 nights just to observe, but that is optional)

----------------

of course, if the band does not make the semi-finals.. there's the ego slap they will take from that.. knocked out in the first round, all that..

Right now.. the acts are coming back from IBC from a 2 tiered competition.. sure they didn't make the finals.. but then only 10% of the bands did..

The IBC is going to a 3 tiered competition.. meaning there will be a bottom 50% or so, I guess..

-------

Anyhow, it's an expansion of the blues.. so expansion is good..

/cheers.gif