Entries Now Open For 2018 Telluride Blues Challenge
Calling all musicians, play your way to the Main Stage of the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival!
Through a partnership with Telluride Music Company, Telluride Blues Society and Colorado Blues Society, we are excited to present the 2018 Telluride Blues Challenge. The Telluride Blues Challenge is an annual competition providing talented up-and-coming artists from the blues genre with an opportunity to advance their professional career and play the Telluride Blues & Brews Main Stage!
How to Enter:
Solo blues musicians not signed to a major record or or publishing deal can enter by submitting two recorded songs for consideration from now until August 1, 2018. Solo vocalists are also encouraged to enter. Entries will be judged on blues content, vocals, talent, originality and overall impression. A panel of blues experts will narrow down entries and invite the top six to compete in a live final competition held on Saturday morning of the festival at Telluride Elks lodge. Here, the judges will select the 2017 Telluride Blues Challenge Champion.
The winner will receive:
A premium Martin guitar provided by Telluride Music Company
20 Minute set to perform on the Main Stage at the 2018 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
A full 60 minute set to perform on the Blues Stage at the 2019 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
2 nights to perform on the 2019 Durango Blues Train
$300 cash prize
The Runner-Up will receive:
$200 cash prize
A performance set for the 2018 Sunday Blues for Breakfast event
All six competitors will receive a 3-Day Festival Pass, Festival T-Shirt, and $25 gift certificate provided by Telluride Music Company.
To enter the 2018 Telluride Blues Challenge, click here.
How to Watch:
The Telluride Blues Challenge Finals will be held on Saturday morning from 9 am - Noon, September 15, 2018 at the Telluride Elks Lodge (472 W Pacific Ave). The contest happens as part of "Blues for Breakfast", complete with a breakfast spread and full bar including breakfast cocktails during the event. Admission to the competition is free! Breakfast and drinks available for purchase. This event is a great way to see up-and-comers in the blues genre while starting your Saturday morning off before the Grand Tasting and music starts in the festival grounds.
Click here to see the full festival schedule.
Last Years Winner:
We're excited to welcome 2017 Telluride Blues Challenge winner, Russ Chapman, back to the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival this year. Chapman will play a full set on the Blues Stage at this year's festival. He'll also perform on Durango Blues Train in Durango, Colorado on June 1 & 2. The Blues Train is an exciting 3.5-hour moving musical experience of live blues music on board the coal-fired, steam-powered Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through the San Juan National Forest. The event starts and ends in Durango, Colorado featuring six live blues performances inside the train coaches with a festive musical environment. Each artist performs in their own vintage coach, while passengers can pass freely from coach to coach. For more information about the Durango Blues Train, click here.
See Russ Chapman's artist page with photos, video and a bio.