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Thanks for Cruisin’ With Us—and Congrats to Our Journey to Memphis Winners!

What. A. Day. To everyone who joined us yesterday on the sold-out Cruisin’ to Memphis Blues Cruise—thank you. You brought the energy, the love, and the unmistakable spirit of the blues. From the river views to the riveting performances, it was a day to remember. We were honored to host the Journey to Memphis Finals on board, showcasing some of the region’s top-tier blues talent. Every act brought their A-game, making it a tough call for our judges, Ben Jones, Daniel Castro and Casey Sutton—and a total joy for the crowd. Now, without further ado…

MEET THE FINALISTS

Who’s got the soul, style, and stage presence to take Portland blues all the way to Memphis? Meet the finalists in this year’s Journey to Memphis competition—each one ready to light up the stage and carry the spirit of the Pacific Northwest to Beale Street.
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Cruisin’ To Memphis July 5th! Blues on the river, breeze in your hair, bands bound for Beale Street!

Introducing the First-Ever Cruisin’ to Memphis! This summer, the Waterfront Blues Festival has invited the Cascade Blues Association to set sail with something brand new: the first-ever Cruisin’ to Memphis—a floating blues showcase…
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Journey to Memphis Finals Set Sail on the Waterfront Blues Festival Cruisin’ To Memphis aboard the Portland Spirit!

Get ready to set sail for an afternoon of soul-stirring music, fierce competition, and non-stop blues! Cruisin’ to Memphis is more than just a boat ride—it’s a floating blues festival, a celebration of the Pacific Northwest’s finest…
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Big Dreams – Raw Talent – Real Blues

The first round of the Journey to Memphis competition, where local blues artists give it their all for a chance to represent the Cascade Blues Association at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee is being held Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Mekong Bistro, 8200 NE Siskiyou, Portland, OR 97220. Doors open at 12:30pm, performances will take place between 1:00pm – 5:00pm.
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Calling All Youth Blues Artists! Journey To Memphis Youth Showcase Challenge

The Cascade Blues Association is now accepting applications for our 2025 Journey to Memphis (J2M) Youth Showcase challenge! This is your shot to represent the Pacific Northwest at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee,…
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Calling All Blues Artists – The Journey to Memphis 2025 Edition Has Begun!

 Calling All Blues Artists – The Journey to Memphis 2025 Has Begun! The Cascade Blues Association is now accepting applications for our 2025 Journey to Memphis (J2M) competition! This is your shot to represent the Pacific Northwest at…
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2025 Journey To Memphis Challenge Open To Entries!

The CBA has a long history of sending a Band and a Solo/Duo Act to the International Blues Challenge (IBC) held in Memphis January 2026. The Journey to Memphis Challenge is how we choose the competitors. A Youth Act will also be selected through a separate competition to be held later this year. They will attend but will not compete at the IBC.
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We’re gearing up for Journey to Memphis

The CBA has a long history of sending a Band and a Solo/Duo Act to the International Blues Challenge (IBC) held in Memphis each January and it takes a community to make it happen. We've got a lot to do between now and July 1st when the final…

Journey to Memphis and the International Blues Challenge

2024 Journey to Memphis Finalists! Congratulations to Dave Fleschner and the Beacon Street Titans on progressing to the International Blues Challenge. There will be many opportunities to support and fundraise for the final acts going to Memphis…