Eligibility Requirements:

• An Act competing as a Band for the North Jersey Blues Society (NJBS) Blues Challenge must have an active band membership with NJBS

• All band members must be 21 years or older

• All band members must be present; no substitutions are allowed.

• The band must be located within 50 miles of the North Jersey Blues Society address.

• Band must be pre-registered to participate; no walk-ins

• There must be a minimum of two bands per category (band, solo/duo) to compete.

• Acts previously or currently nominated for a Blues Music Award are ineligible.

• A band is limited to two consecutive appearances at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, and must then sit out at least one year before being eligible to compete again. An act under the same name will not be allowed to compete for three consecutive years.

• You will need your instruments! Please bring a DI if you use one. All backline equipment is provided by the North Jersey Blues Society.

• Drummers will need to bring cymbals and a kick pedal. You may want to bring your snare, as well.

• Harp players are allowed to bring a harp amp, but this is not required as we will have a guitar amp available for use.

• All other backline will be provided. The use of pedals, stomp boxes and other auxiliary equipment is allowed. We will not allow you to use your own guitar/bass amp during the competition.

• There is a 15-minute changeover period between sets. (The oncoming band has ten minutes to set up and the outgoing band has five minutes to tear down.)

• Each band will have 20 minutes to perform their selections. Rules and judging criteria will follow the Blues Foundation guidelines.