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Competition Agreement - 2023 OBS Blues Challenge
The following agreement is required to be received by Ozark Blues Society for your registration to be considered complete. Once you have completed your online registration, please download document at the link below, print, sign, and submit this required document. Accepted submission methods are: 1) Scanned PDF of completed document emailed to smccann7@sbcglobal.net; or 2) Mail completed form to: Ozark Blues Society, PO Box 2004, Bentonville AR 72712
2023 Competition Agreement
Name of Act ____________________________________________________
Check One: Band __ Solo/Duo__
The undersigned hereby attests that he or she is in fact eighteen years of age or older, and is, in fact, the responsible Spokesperson for the individuals listed on this form and identified by a real or stage name, and herein referred to as The Act.
NOTE: If any member of the Act will be less than 18 years of age on October 14, 2023, a parent or legal guardian must act as responsible spokesperson for the Act.
The Act affirms that it meets the following criteria:
- Acts must live within 250 miles of Bentonville, Arkansas at of the time of appearance at the Ozark Blues Society Blues Challenge on October 14, 2023.
- Acts must play Blues music. All styles of Blues are acceptable, from the most traditional Delta Blues and Piedmont Blues, to Chicago Blues, Soul Blues, Rock Blues, etc.
- Acts must submit the appropriate entry fee ($25 for solo or duo acts and $50 per band) via our website: www.ozarkbluessociety.org prior to submitting this form.
In addition, Acts must submit the following content and information via e-mail to the address provided below, no later than one week after completing online registration:
- Photo of your act that you have all rights to (the photo may be used on the Ozark Blues Society website and promotional materials). The photo must be at least 900 x 600 pixels (horizontal or vertical) and 300 dpi. Acceptable formats are: jpeg or pdf. DO NOT include any photo that has text added to the image
- Samples of your music – CD/DVD, MP3, YouTube via email, or link to online recordings of your music.
Mailing Address: Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas – 2023 Blues Challenge
P.O. Box 2004
Bentonville, AR 72712
Email: smccann7@sbcglobal.net
Spokesperson initial page 1 of 3: _____
___________________
- Please read the IBC rules carefully - All entrants must be eligible to compete in the Blues Foundation's 39th International Blues Challenge (IBC), to be held Jan. 16 -20, 2024. You can view the IBC official rules here. The winning act will be required to register online at the Blues Foundation’s website for the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge (IBC) at least two weeks prior to the official registration deadline or may forfeit their sponsorship award and the right to represent Ozark Blues Society of NWA at the 2024 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. A sponsorship award will be an accommodation allowance awarded to the winner(s) of the competition. Acceptance of Sponsorship Award demonstrates agreement to attend all required competitor activities and adhere to the Blues Foundation assigned competitor performance schedule.
- Acts may compete in one of two categories: either as Solo/Duo act or as a Band. Individual performers can compete in one category only.
- The minimum number of acts in each category (bands and solo/duo) is two (2). Ozark Blues Society of NWA may, if required due to low numbers, choose to run a combined challenge where bands compete against solo/duo acts, but in such cases there would be only one winner selected from the combined groups to go to the IBC. No other eligibility restrictions apply.
- As set forth by current Blues Foundation IBC rules, an act may not compete in the International Blues Challenge three consecutive times. This may affect your ability to participate in the Ozark Blues Society Blues Challenge. As of 2018, acts must take a one year break between Challenges one(1) and three (3). Individual members of a previous winning act may compete with a new act, providing more than half of the new act’s members are not members of the previous winning act. After three (3) times participating in the International Blues Challenge (since 2018, including appearances under any sponsoring affiliate), an act is ineligible to compete again.
- Good sportsmanship is a basic expectation of contestants. Overt acts of poor sportsmanship before, during or after the event will result in the Act being disqualified from the OBS Blues Challenge and may result in the Act being banned from future OBS Challenges and other Ozark Blues Society events.
- Due to the number of musicians involved, the Ozark Blues Society cannot offer a guest list. Only participating musicians get in free. All others pay admission. Please remember our challenge is in effect a fundraiser toward our winner’s sponsorship awards.
- Musicians under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their own parent or legal guardian. Parents or legal guardians must remain on premises at all times with their own minor child.
- Neither Ozark Blues Society membership nor an application to the Ozark Blues Society Blues Challenge guarantees a slot in the OBS Blues Challenge (e.g. there may be more applicants than available slots). All decisions by Ozark Blues Society regarding Acts chosen to compete are final.
- Acts chosen to compete will be notified on, or before, October 1, 2023. Acts not chosen to compete will have their application fee refunded.
Spokesperson initial page 2 of 3: ________
It is agreed by the Spokesperson that he or she and each member of The Act do hereby exempt from all liability the Ozark Blues Society, The Blues Foundation, and all persons, organizations and companies that are directly or indirectly associated with the Ozark Blues Society and the OBS Blues Challenge.
It is further agreed by the Spokesperson that he or she and each member of The Act do hereby accept full responsibility for taxes and restrictions related to any contest prizes received by the Act. Further, each member listed on this form hereby grants to the Ozark Blues Society the right to use his/her name, voice, picture, and other likenesses of The Act for the purposes of advertising, and publishing the Blues Challenge through the media, including syndicated entertainment radio, film, and/or television shows produced by the Ozark Blues Society or their agents. In addition, the Spokesperson agrees that the Ozark Blues Society will retain total and sole ownership of the programs (including photos, videos and audio recordings taken during the OBS Blues Challenge), the right to copy and distribute the programs, and the right to license others to use these rights. The Act Spokesperson hereby acknowledges that each member of The Act has knowledge of and agrees to all rules and restrictions stated herein and elsewhere which are applicable to the OBS Blues Challenge as set forth by the Ozark Blues Society.
Spokesperson (please print) ________________________________________
Home Address __________________________________________
City________________________________ State ______________
Phone __________________________________
I hereby attest and certify to compliance with all rules and regulations pertaining to the Ozark Blues Society Blues Challenge stated herein and elsewhere:
Spokesperson Signature __________________________________________
Date ![](file:///C:/Users/smcca/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.gif)
Only members of the Ozark Blues Society Board of Directors or their designated personnel may resolve Questions of eligibility, rules interpretation, and judging.
Spokesperson initial page 3 of 3: ________