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Kansas City Blues Society, Howlin Wolf logo

Kansas City Blues Society

The Kansas City Blues Society creates a community environment to promote, preserve, enjoy, and celebrate Kansas City Blues music.

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Road to Memphis graphic showing WC Handy and a 1930s automobile

International Blues Challenge

Road to Memphis graphic showing WC Handy and a 1930s automobile for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis

38th International Blues Challenge

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.



KCBS IBC Entry Forms

KCBS IBC Solo-Duo Application icon

Solo-Duo Entry Form

KCBS IBC Band Application icon

Band Entry Form


Please read this important KCBS policy regarding IBC financial support before you apply.

Please return the entry forms to the KCBS by August 5, 2022. There is NO entry fee!


Previous Road to Memphis Winning Acts

Representing KCBS in 2022 (Band): Stone Cutters Union

Stone Cutters Union promo photo

Womanish Girl band, Katy Guillen, guitar, and Stephanie Williams, drums
Representing KCBS in 2019 (Solo-Duo): Womanish Girl
Stranded in the City band
Representing KCBS in 2019 (Band): Stranded in the City
Brandon Hudspeth and Jaisson Taylor
Best Self-Produced CD Winner, 2019:  Hudspeth & Taylor

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