Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition Gives Aspiring Artists a Shot on the Main Stage

On Saturday, Sept. 15, the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival presents the 12th Annual Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition. The always-popular event takes place from 9 a.m. to noon during the Festival's Blues for Breakfast concert held at Telluride Elks Lodge, 472 W. Pacific Ave. For a nominal fee, take in solo performances by Acoustic Blues Competition finalists while enjoying breakfast, bloody marys, mimosas, and a full cash bar. Sunday's Blues for Breakfast also features Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen.

The Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition seeks talented, aspiring musicians who excel in the blues music genre to participate in the event. The contest is open to any solo acoustic performer who is not currently signed to a record label or publishing deal. The competition invites six finalists to perform two songs (original or blues standard) at the breakfast. The musicians will be judged on presentation, use of instruments, vocals, and overall live performance. In addition, each competitor is asked to perform a third blues standard song selected by the judges. But don't worry competitors, each selected candidate will be notified of which song they are to play, so there will be plenty of time to practice!

The winner of the 2012 competition receives a $300 dollar cash prize, and a custom acoustic "Dobrato" resophonic guitar valued at $1,200, courtesy of Castle Creek Guitars in Gunnison, Colorado. And, more importantly, the winner will also be given the opportunity to perform a musical set on the Festival's Main Stage on Saturday evening after the Grand Tasting. The runner-up receives a cash prize and a Godin Guitar provided by Telluride Music. All finalists receive a commemorative tee shirt, a Three-Day Festival pass, and a $25 gift certificate provided by sponsor Telluride Music Company, located at 201 East Colorado Ave.

WIN THIS CUSTOM GUITAR!

Competition Submission

To enter, submit a clean recording of you, and only you, playing one or two songs. Submissions can be on CD, tape, or in mp3 format for uploading online at sonicbids.com/tellurideblues. There is a $10 submission fee to participate in the Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition. For CD and tape mail submissions, please send your demo and an enclosed check for $10 payable to Telluride Blues & Brews Festival to:

Valerie James - Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition
410 Monroe St NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108

Be sure to include your mailing address, phone number, email, and a short bio with your demo. The deadline for submission is Aug. 18, 2012. Remember competitors cannot be signed to a record label or publishing deal. No bands or back-up musicians are allowed - this is a solo competition only. Finalists will be notified on or before Aug. 25, 2012.

For more information about Telluride's Acoustic Blues Competition, please visit http://bit.ly/TellurideAcousticBluesCompetition.

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