Battle of the Blues Bands at Iron City (July 21)

On Sunday, July 21, the Magic City Blues Society will host its annual Battle of the Blues Bands at Iron City. Blues artists from around Alabama will converge at the cutting-edge venue to play for top honors and a host of special opportunities. There will be separate winners for a full band category and solo/duo acts.

 Whether you’re a bare-bones acoustic act or a full-electric band, don’t miss this opportunity to tune up and join in the competition. “Slow blues, rocking blues, Chicago style blues, finger picking blues, jazzy blues… All are welcome,” says MCBS president Roger Stephenson. Original songs are encouraged, but if you choose to play covers, make the song your own and flex your creativity. Musicians can apply to enter the BOTBB here. Applications are due July 15.

 This year’s winners will enjoy local booking opportunities courtesy of the Blues Society. The full-band champions will win a spot at their choice of MCBS events: a headline slot at the Phelan Park series finale in October, or an opening gig at the December Blues Ball. The solo/duo champs will play an opening gig at either the final Phelan Park show or a 2014 Junkyard Juke event.  

 “Last year Diedra and the Ruff Pro Band won,” says Stephenson. “They were great, very professional. John Bull and Sheffield Walker from Montgomery won our duo category.”

 Musicians will also compete for entry in the 30th International Blues Challenge in Memphis next January. “It is a tough competition against the best from each state and internationally as well,” says Stephenson. The MCBS champions will receive a stipend to handle some travel expenses. The winners of the IBC will go on to play major blues festivals around the U.S.    

 Iron City, the society’s choice of venue, is an ideal location for the competition. “It’s a new venue in town with state of the art sound. We felt the bands would enjoy playing there,” says Stephenson. “Iron city supports the blues. Seemed like a good fit.”

 The MCBS Battle of the Blues Bands will be held at Iron City at 2 p.m. Visit the MBCS website for a list of rules and regulations. Tickets are available via Iron City and the Magic City Blues Society.

Photos by Roger Stephenson.

Above: Diedra and the Ruff Pro Band.

Featured: Sheffield Walker.