Performance Categories:

• Band – any act with more than two members
• Solo/Duo – any act with only one or two members
• Youth – any act whose members will all be under the age of 21 at the time of the International Blues Challenge

Time Limits:

• Each act is allotted 25 minutes for its performance, and timing begins when the first note is played
• The timekeeper will inform the audience of the time remaining, starting at the 23-minute mark
• Acts finishing their performance with more than 3 minutes remaining will incur a one-point penalty to their Average Weighted Score

Prize Monies:

• The winning Band act will receive $1,200
• The winning Solo/Duo act will receive $500
• The winning Youth Act will not receive prize money. Still, it may be invited to participate in any official Columbus Blues Challenge fundraising events and receive an equal share of funds raised.
• Prize monies will be paid by check no earlier than two weeks before the International Blues Challenge.
• All prize monies will be paid out in a single payment after all official fundraisers have concluded.
• Only one check will be written for each act.
• The proceeds of any official fundraising event will be totaled and divided by the total number of participants from all participating acts. Each person will receive that amount for the event as part of the total paid out, along with prize monies

Equipment:

• A PA system, microphones, drum kit & throne, 2 guitar amplifiers (minimum), and 1 bass amplifier will be provided
• Guitarists may bring their pedalboards
• Drummers may bring their own throne, cymbals, snare, and kick pedal
• The use of keyboards and keyboard amps will be decided on a case-by-case basis
• The use of small harmonica amps may be allowed
• Use of small, portable amp systems (such as the Bose Portable Line Array System) may be allowed
• Unless permitted in advance, all acts will be required to use the provided equipment; there will be no exceptions to this rule.