Bands
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | Artists arrive at 2 PM | Show starts at 3 PM
Historic Club Ebony | 404 Hanna Street, Indianola, MS
Band 2nd Place Winner: $250
Solos/Duos
Sunday, October 26, 2025 | Artists arrive at 2 PM | Show starts at 3 PM
Blue Biscuit | 501 Second Street, Indianola, MS
Solo/Duo 2nd Place Winner: Duo $100, Solo $50
Applications can be submitted 3 ways:
1) Printed/scanned or completed via Acrobat Digital Form and emailed to info@indianolabluessociety.org.
2) Printed form and mailed:
MDBSI
P.O. Box 2037
Indianola, MS 38751
3) Contact Robert Terrell at (630) 935-0038 or rterrell@bbkingmuseum.org
Please include:
• a bio of your act (digital format preferred)
• a photo via email, if available, (at least 900 x 600 pixels; 300 dpi)
Winners advance to the 41st Annual International Blues Challenge
January 13-17, 2026 | Memphis, Tennessee
Rules for the International Blues Challenge
Past Winners of the Blues Challenge
| Year | Solo/Duo (Place at IBC in following year) | Band (Place at IBC in following year) |
| 2005 | Pat Thomas | David Lee Durham & The Ladies Choice Band |
| 2006 | Eden Brent (1st) | Bill “Howl-n-Madd” Perry |
| 2007 | Terry “Harmonica” Bean | Homemade Jams Blues Band (2nd) |
| 2008 | L.C. Ulmer & Chase Holifield | Mickey Rogers & The Soulmasters Band |
| 2009 | L.C. Ulmer & Chase Holifield (Finals) | Grady Champion Band |
| 2010 | Alan Jones | Grady Champion Band (1st) |
| 2011 | Solar Porch | Mark “Muleman” Massey |
| 2012 | Sean “Bad” Apple & Martin “Big Boy” Grant | Solar Porch |
| 2013 | Richard “Daddy Rich” Crisman | All Night Long Blues Band |
| 2014 | Dunavent & Hood | A Different Shade of Blue |
| 2015 | Libby Rae Watson | Bernie Jenkins Band |
| 2016 | Libby Rae Watson | Big Time Rhythm & Blues Band |
| 2017 | Wes Lee (Finals) | GoodPaper & The Reverend Robert Mortimer |
| 2018 | “Sweet & Salty” Libby Rae Watson & Wes Lee | Stevie J Blues Band |
| 2019 | Mississippi Marshall Hopper | Robert Kimbrough Sr. Blues Connection |
| 2020 | Zach Day | Keith Johnson & The Big Muddy Band |
| 2021 | “Little” Willie Farmer | Soul Night Band ft. D.K. Harrell (3rd) |
| 2022 | Mark “Muleman” Massey | Big Time Rhythm & Blues Band |
| 2023 | Mississippi Marshall YOUTH DIVISION: John Clayton White | Columbus Troy |
| 2024 | 2 Blue for You (2nd) | John Clayton White |