Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival 2006

Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival (formerly the King Biscuit Blues Festival), is ranked as one of the Top 10 Music Events by Festivals.com; was recognized by Travelocity as one of the 200 destination spots for 2005; and is one of the largest blues music events in the country, with average annual attendance of 85,000 over three days. There are 50 showcase slots available. The Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival is where the legends play and emerging artists pay their dues.



Artists selected to participate in the Emerging Artist Program will be competing for a $750.00 cash prize, inclusion on an Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival CD and
guarantee of a paid, featured artist performance on the Main Stage at the 2007 festival.



Artists may also qualify to participate in our Battle of the Bands Program scheduled to be held June 16 & 17, 2006; Battle participants will be competing for a cash prize, the opportunity to represent the Sonny Boy Blues Society at the 2007 IBC in Memphis, and a guaranteed spot on the Main Stage during the 2006 Annual Festival. As a Battle participant you will also have the chance to be selected for the Emerging Artist Stage at no extra cost! Artists can apply for Battle of the Bands consideration until 5/31/2006.



Recognized as one of the premier live music events, the 21st annual festival will be held in Helena, Arkansas along the historic main street with stages spread along the streets and levee along the Mississippi River from October 5-7, 2006.



Past event performers include Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds), Ike Turner, Solomon Burke, Levon Helm (of The Band), North Mississippi Allstars, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musslewhite and Blind Boys of Alabama. Event Sponsors include Delta Cultural Center, Blues Revue and Sonicbids.



Genres accepted include blues, gospel and blues influenced music.