Road to Memphis

26th Annual KVBA Blues Competition

Kalamazoo-area bands and solo/duo artists compete for the chance to represent KVBA at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.

Blues Challenge & IBC

Representing Kalamazoo on the World Stage

KVBA is a member of the Blues Foundation, which hosts the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis every January — the world's largest gathering of blues artists and one of the most prestigious battle-of-the-bands competitions in the genre.

Each fall, KVBA hosts its own Blues Competition right here in Kalamazoo, where local bands and solo/duo artists compete for the honor of representing our chapter in Memphis.

This year's competition is Sunday, October 11th at Shakespeare's Pub. The winning act heads to Memphis for the 2027 International Blues Challenge, January 19–23.

Mark Your Calendar

Competition & Deadlines

📋 Applications Due September 26

🎤 KVBA Competition October 11
Shakespeare's Pub, Kalamazoo

🏆 IBC — Memphis, TN Jan 19–23, 2027

Who Can Compete

Eligibility & Requirements

KVBA solely determines the eligibility of area bands and solo/duo acts for this competition.

1
Working Band or Act Must be a working band or solo/duo act — not one put together for the purposes of competing.
2
Blues Foundation Eligibility Must meet all eligibility criteria published by the Blues Foundation for the Official IBC Rules and Event Summary.
3
Willing & Able to Travel Must be willing to travel to Memphis, TN for the International Blues Challenge if selected.
4
Responsible Spokesperson The application's spokesperson must be 18 years of age or older and responsible for the act.

Ready to Compete?

Download the Application

Fill out the application form below and mail it in, or email it to the contacts listed.

Download Application Form

✉️

Dennis Massingill

(269) 806-8508
dmass55@aol.com

✉️

Mike Depoian

(248) 613-7564
miked@kvba.org

Mail completed applications to: Dennis Massingill, 1679 Sycamore St., Otsego, MI 49078 — or email a scanned copy to the contacts above.

Come Cheer Them On

Join Us at Shakespeare's Pub

Sunday, October 11th — come support Kalamazoo's blues community as local acts compete for a trip to Memphis.

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