Join us as our local blues musicians participate in the Road to Memphis to find out who will represent Kansas City at the International Blues Challenge in January 2026.
This year’s participants are:
BANDS: CJ Walker Band, Jessie Glennon Band, Legerdemain
SOLO/DUO: J.D. & Stringer, Jonny Green & Rev. Otis Roper II, Savage Juliette
YOUTH BAND: Black Hök
The International Blues Challenge will be held January 13-17, 2026 on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee! Check the blues.org website for more information.
The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for those blues bands and solo/duo blues performers ready for the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. Each affiliated Blues Society of The Blues Foundation has the right to send a band and solo/duo musician(s) to represent its organization at the IBC.
Affiliated Blues Societies are required to stage a live 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 Blues Societies 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 musicians takes place resulting in a single band and/or solo/duo artist(s) being identified. For more information follow this link.
DRUM & DYE Place Second in IBC 2024 Solo/Duo
John Paul Drum wins Lee Oskar Harmonica Award
Bill Dye wins Matt Isbell Cigar Box Guitar Award
As Son Seals said, “YEAH WE TOLD YOU!”
Congratulations to JOHN PAUL DRUM for winning the Lee Oskar Harmonica Award! As Lee Oskar said, John Paul is the HIGHEST SCORING ARTIST EVER for the harmonica award! (We know personally how good he is, don’t we?)
Congratulations to BILL DYE for winning the custom-built by Matt Isbell, Cigar Box Guitar Award!!
Congratulations to DRUM & DYE for coming in second overall in the Solo/Duo challenge!
Thank you all SO MUCH for your support of our Kansas City musicians!
We are also very grateful to Big Luke and The Soul Disciples for representing Kansas City and so very proud that they made it to the semifinals on their first trip to the IBC! Thank you Adrian and all your band!
Previous Road to Memphis Winning Acts
Representing Kansas City Blues Society in 2025
Representing Kansas City Blues Society in 2024
Representing Kansas City Blues Society in 2023
Representing KCBS in 2022 (Band): Stone Cutters Union
