Blues Competition Takes Center Stage

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

by Jessica Crossfield
February 17, 2010

Blues lovers will not want to miss this year’s Annual River City Ohio Blues Competition. This year marks the 18th anniversary and 17 blues bands and solo/duo acts will take the stage in downtown Marietta.

These talented artists come from all over, including Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Massachusetts. Through this festival, these musicians are hoping to win their chance to attend the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and gain the sponsorship of the local Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society here in Marietta.

"Even if they don't win in Memphis, they can gain valuable exposure to record label A&R representatives and blues music industry professionals and festival promoters capable of providing real career advancement for a serious blues musician," said John Gifford, Competition Director and stage manager. "There are no losers in Memphis, or here in Marietta, for that matter," he said. "Just like anything else, it's what you make of it, how you make it work for you."

The 2-day event begins on Friday evening and runs all weekend. On Friday, February 19th at 8 p.m., six blues acts will compete in the first preliminary round. Out of those six, two will continue on to compete in the finals on Saturday. Then, at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, 11 more blues acts will compete in the second preliminary round. Out of those 11, four will move on to the finals. The finals begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday with the six top competitors from the weekend in a competition to see who takes home the cash prizes and earns the Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society sponsorship to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2011.

"It's all a huge music weekend in Marietta – one of the year's biggest weekends of music, and a bargain for blues fans. No where else can you see 2-days of music of this quality up to 17 different acts, for such a low price," said Gifford.

A Weekend pass badge gets you into all shows and is $25 for Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society members and $40 for non-members. Friday Night is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Saturday Afternoon is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Saturday Evening is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

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