January 24-28, 2023 on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee!
International Blues Challenge
The IBC's represent the worldwide search for blues bands & solo/duo performers ready for the international stage.
The world’s largest gathering of blues musicians. On Beale Street, in over 20 clubs.
In addition, the week will offer seminars, showcases, master classes, film screenings, and a host of other events.
About Us
How We Got Started
The Windy City Blues Society was started by Dave 'Mad Dog" Madlener and Tom Jurgens along with 8 other Blues Enthusiast in the Chicagoland area.
We were brought together by the Blindman's Blues Forum and the Chicago Blues Fest in Grant Park. After a number of years, Dave researched starting a Blues Society, interacted with a number of other Blues Societies via the Blindmans Blues Forum And began visiting other blues festivals across the country.
In 2009 The Windy City Blues Society began, On March 23rd 2010 The Society formed the Corporation with the Illinois Secretary of State. 6 months later, on October 29th of the same year the Windy City Blues Society was awarded 501 c 3 non profit status by the United States Department of the Treasury.
The other founding members are, Brad "Boweavil" Appiea, James "Spike" Spiecher, Napolian "Nap" Tabion, Kate Moss, Amy "Brat Girl" Brat, Lori "Loreen" Lewis, Jack "Black Jack" Giersbach, and Kurt "Soulful Impressions" Swanson. Initially the 10 founding members formed the executive Committee. A 5 member Board of Directors was created. Over the next 10 years the organization grew to almost 1,500 unique members and gained numerous lifetime memberships.
As an organization we have seen our ups and downs, our successes and our failures. Just like the music industry itself, the journey is full of twists and turns. Some bands stick together, some splinter apart but each individuals love for the music rarely changes.
WE have pushed past COVID and need your continued support to keep the momentum going.
Check our official FEDERAL IRS Charitable Status
To become a 501 C 3 non profit public charity, an organizations must be granted this status by the Federal Government Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Our financials are public record as is our status as a public charity Official tax reports can be found with the IRS at This Link. (EIN 800373004)
Check our official Charitable Status
501 C 3 non profit organizations registered in the State of Illinois must file their financial reports as a public record with the Illinois Attorney Generals Office . Click this link to check out our charitable filings over the last decade or so.
https://charitableviewer.ilag.gov/
Just type in Windy City Blues Society in the search bar.
(just the name will get it done)
Look us up with the Illinois Secretary of State
Every Corporation in Illinois is required to keep there corporate records on file with the Illinois Secretary of State. Check our status here.
https://apps.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/CorporateLlcController
Scrool Down and click "Submitt". Scrool Down the next page and type in "Windy City Blues Society"
Our first Fest as the WCBS
The early days of the Windy City Blues Society
The People are the best part of the Chicago Blues Fest......besides the Music
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This is Old News we are working on 2023 Programs.
November 13th
November 13th
November 13th
Chicago Blues Challenge Finals
5:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Every Day
November 13th
November 13th
The Killer Blues Headstone Project exists to provide headstones for blues musicians lying in unmarked graves.
Blues Music in Chicago
Additional Information
The Windy City Blues Society is a 501 c 3 Non-Profit organization, and an affiliate member of The Blues Foundation. The WCBS is focused on blues music as a genre. We are best at presenting live musical concerts and festivals. From 2010 to 2017 we operated The WCBS Street Stage, providing about 25% of the live music at the Chicago Blues Festival, aka: Worlds Largest Free Blues Festival. The Blues Society received no government funding or private grants. We funded our efforts from membership dues, merchandise sales, and the generosity of others. We started the Windy City Blues Fest in 2018 and again in 2019 at Toyota Park (SeatGeek Stadium) we plan to begin again in 2022.
The Windy City Blues Society has a 12 year history, yet is the longest running Blues Society in the Chicago Area. Chicago has the Blues 24/7, it runs deep. we are only a part of it. Chicago is likely the number one blues market in the world, we hope to grow the hometown audience and create opportunities for local artists.
WE will work to present some music educational programs in School Districts, Library Districts, Park Districts, and other places we can promote blues music. We want to preserve the history of the blues, the musicians, people, the places, the times and the story of the blues.
The Windy City Blues Society has taken an interest in the final resting places of Blues Artists. For the last 5 years WE supported the Killer Blues Headstone Project in putting head stones on the unmarked graves of blues artists.
WE are a big part of LYONS FEST a 4 day family fun, event. July 1- 4th in Lyons, IL. Music all 4 days, food, carnival type rides, bouncy houses topped off with an awesome fireworks show.
We are holding 2 Rounds of the Chicago Blues Challenge. Round 1 is July 30th in Willow Springs and Round 2 is Sept. 24 in Bolingbrook. The Chicago Blues Challenge Finals are November 13th at Buddy Guys Legends in Chicago, IL
We have had over 1400 unique members, but have only 124 new or renewing members for 2022-2023. WE need membership renewals and new members. You can join here on our new secure website.
2020 and 2021 was rough on many people. The Blues Society wants to thank the 200 or so that renewed your membership last year. We thank all that made a purchase on our web site. You helped us recover from COVID. You stepped up and helped out. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You !!! I applaud you.
Please Renew your 2022-2023 Membership and help Keep The Blues Alive in Chicagoland.
WE ARE CHICAGO
Our NEW LOGO
Our new logo was created by Mario and Castro of Chicago Midwest Made located at 1517 W 18th St in Chicago's Pilsen Neighborhood. The new logo is based on the old logo but more "Chicago Centric" and more distinct Chicago Images.
The buildings and city icons are much more prevalent than the generic skyline of the past
