The Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition takes place at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in beautiful Telluride, Colorado. The competition is seeking the most talented musicians who excel in the blues genre and is open to solo acoustic performers who are not signed to a record label or publishing deal. The top six entries will be invited to play off at the festival's "Blues For Breakfast", held at the Elks Lodge from 9AM - NOON on Saturday, September 13. The winner of the competition will perform on the main stage later that afternoon. Competitors will perform two songs (original or blues standard) and will be judged on the quality of the overall live performance, including instrument, vocals, and presentation. In addition, each competitor will be asked to perform a blues standard selected by the judges (you will be notified of which song in advance, so there will be plenty of time to practice and put your own unique signature on it!)

Sponsored by Gibson Acoustic Guitars, Sonicbids, and Telluride Music Company

Competition Submissions The deadline for submissions is August 10, 2008. There is a $10 submission fee. Please note: Competitors cannot be signed to a record label or publishing deal. No bands or back-up musicians allowed - this is a solo competition. Although non-solo demos will be reviewed, artists who submit solo demos will be given priority consideration. Submit your demo online thru Sonicbids: www.sonicbids.com/tellurideblues Submit via mail: submit a CD of your demo and a check for $10 (payable to Telluride Blues & Brews Festival) to: Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition P.O. Box 2966 Telluride, CO 81435 Be sure to include your mailing address, phone number, email, and a short bio with your demo. Submissions must be postmarked by August 10, 2008 to be eligible.

Competition Prizes The winner of the Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition will be awarded a Gibson Acoustic guitar, $300, and a main stage performance on Saturday. The runner-up will receive a Godin guitar and $200. All six competitors will receive a Telluride Blues & Brews Festival T-Shirt, a 3-Day Pass to the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, and a $25 gift certificate to Telluride Music Company.

Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition Guidelines: In Telluride, each finalist will play 2 songs, (original or blues standard), and will also be asked to perform one blues standard that will be selected by the judges. If you are picked to be a finalist, you will be notified of the standard blues selection the same day you are notified of becoming a finalist. Recommended time limit for each song: 5 minutes Acoustic instruments with pickups are permitted. No loop machines allowed. No electric guitars allowed. No back-up musicians allowed. All finalists must be of amateur level, with no recording contracts, publishing contracts, or endorsements. All entries must be received or postmarked by August 10, accompanied by a $10.00 submission fee. This competition accepts blues vocalists, blues instrumentalists, and blues vocalists/instrumentalists.

Tips from the Judges: Music competitions are a test of nerve as much as skill. Your ability to perform elegantly under pressure goes with the territory. Perform material of the same level as your playing ability. It's better to play something easier in a tasteful and clean manner with a good feel and not get “way over your head”. Judges may mark you down for this. Judges may confer to ensure fairness and consistency in the rating process. The contestant order will be randomly assigned at the contest site prior to the start of the competition. The winner and runner-up will be awarded their prizes on the festival main stage on Saturday. All other prizes will be awarded following the competition. Contestants will be judged on the following categories including but not limited to: 1. Quality of overall Live Performance 2. Quality of overall Vocal and Instrumental Delivery (includes vocal quality, pitch, even tempo, etc…) 3. Interpretive Quality of Assigned Standard Blues song (depth, insight, arrangement, overall feel, etc…)

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PAST COMPETITION WINNERS: 2006 Winner: David Mowry Runner-up: Pete Kartsounes 2005 Winner: Renee Safier Runner-up: Pete Kartsounes 2004 Winner: Dan Walker Runner-up: Kraig Kenning 2003 Steve Reynolds 2002 Col. "Blind-Dog" Gatewood 2001 John-Alex Mason 2000 Alex Maryol - 2nd Place The Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition is presented by the Telluride Blues Society	Competition Director Valerie Brazis presents 2006 winner David Mowry with the grand prize - a Gibson acoustic guitar. Photo: Dino Perrucci
	2005 Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition Winner Renee Safier and 2nd place winner Pete Kartsounes.