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" The contest begins June 11 and continues every Tuesday for the next six weeks. "
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By Norm Shaw
The Beale Street Blues Society is preparing to kick off its sixth annual Blues Talent Contest, and it is looking for participants and sponsors. The contest begins June 11 and continues every Tuesday for the next six weeks. There also will be two Saturday competitions. All the contests will take place at the Band Box in the Blues City Cafe at the corner of Second Avenue and Beale Street. The Tuesday contests begin at 7 p.m.; Saturdays start at 3 p.m. There is no cover charge, but a small donation to the Beale Street Blues Society will be taken. The finals of the competition take place Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. Each winner in the eight weekly contests takes home $100. In the finals, first place receives $300; second place gets $200; and third receives $100. The winner moves on to compete in the national talent contest. The entry fee for bands is $10. Last year, about 50 bands entered. Past winners have gone onto release independent records and record for the Crossroads showcase CD. Entries have ranged from longtime local bands to tourists who happened to be on Beale the night of a contest. Sponsorships are available in three levels. A $200 sponsorship includes acknowledgment in all talent contest media announcements, stage announcements during the competitions and the sponsors logo on a poster to be displayed at the finals. A $500 sponsorship adds a quarter page ad in the blues society's summer newsletter. A $1,000 sponsorship includes all of the above, plus a sponsor appreciation plaque, which will be presented during the finals. For more information about entering the contest or sponsorships, call (901) 527-4585.
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