Calling All Blues Artists – The Journey to Memphis 2025 Edition Has Begun!

 Calling All Blues Artists – The Journey to Memphis 2025 Has Begun!

The Cascade Blues Association is now accepting applications for our 2025 Journey to Memphis (J2M) competition! This is your shot to represent the Pacific Northwest at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee, hosted every January by the Blues Foundation.

If you’re not familiar with the IBC, picture this: hundreds of the best blues musicians from around the globe gathering on legendary Beale Street to compete, connect, and get noticed. It’s a judged showcase of solo/duo acts and full bands,— all working their way toward greater recognition in the blues world. And yes, it’s as epic as it sounds.

Here’s how J2M works:
This is our local qualifying event to decide who represents us in Memphis. Round one kicks off on Saturday, June 1 at Mekong Bistro (exact time TBA based on number of acts). Each band and solo/duo will perform a 25-minute set, judged by a panel of respected community music leaders (to be announced soon). Youth category performances will be interspersed throughout the day.

The top two finalists in both the band and solo/duo categories will move on to compete on the afternoon of July 5th at the Waterfront Blues Festival, aboard the Cruisin’ to Memphis Blues Cruise, sharing the ship with powerhouse past IBC competitors and finalists including Jonn Del Toro Richardson and Rae Gordon.

Winners of J2M will get hands-on fundraising support from the CBA to help cover travel, lodging, and meals for the IBC.

Want to learn how to bring your A-game?
Join us for a special J2M/IBC Clinic on Tuesday, May 21 at Mekong Bistro. We’ll break down what it takes to compete — from scoring criteria to stagecraft tips — with insights from former IBC competitors and judges. Don’t miss this free learning and networking opportunity.

If you’re a blues artist looking to build your brand, connect with the scene, and get in front of industry insiders, this is your moment. Whether you’re launching a new project or looking to grow your following, J2M is an unbeatable platform.

Applications close May 23 — so don’t sleep on this!
Click Here for Details

Let’s see what the Pacific Northwest blues community can bring to Beale Street this year. Let’s make some noise.