The 23rd International Blues Challenge kicks off Thursday in Memphis and runs through Saturday. The Blues Foundation touts the three-day event as the world's largest gathering of blues bands with more than 150 acts scheduled to participate.

Among those confirmed to perform at this year's IBC is BMA nominee Janiva Magness, who will play the opening ceremony, with Duke Robillard booked for the Gibson Lounge.

The Memphis portion of the contest is the result of dozens of regional "battles of the bands" that play out many months before the event. The winners of these preliminary events then go head-to-head in order to qualify for a chance to compete in the international event in Memphis for cash and prizes. Among the blues artists who have seen their careers enhanced by their participation in the event are Susan Tedeschi, Michelle Wilson, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Albert Cummings, Larry Garner, Richard Johnston, Zac Harmon and Matthew Skoller.

Coinciding with the festivities is the Blues Showcase Memphis Style at the Gibson Lounge following the I.B.C. finals on Feb. 3. Headlining the event are The Billy Gibson Band, Charlie Wood, and Daddy Mack Orr. All three acts have been favorites on the Living Blues International Radio Charts.

The Jan. 1, 2007 chart reported Gibson's "Southern Livin'" at #10, Wood's Lucky at #5, and Daddy Mack's "Bluestones" at #3.

Here is a list of the 2007 IBC contestants:

The 63 Solo/Duo entries listed in alphabetical order by their sponsoring affiliate are:

Atlanta Blues Society - Ross “Peadboy” Pead
Billtown Blues Association - Jonah Gregory aka" Dr. Whiskey Shivers"
Black Swamp Blues Society - Lucky Brother
Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast - Ben Prestage
Blues Blowtorch Society - The Delta Jets
Blues Lovers United of San Diego - Nathan James and Ben Hernandez
Blues Society of Central PA - Tom Dunn
Blues Society of the Ozarks - King Clarentz and Bobby Lloyd Hicks
Blues Society of Tulsa - Little Joe and Robbie Mack
Blues Society of Western New York - Blue Roadhouse
Blues Society of Western PA - Israel Stetar
Blues Society on Taiwan - David Chen & Conor Prunty
Blues Sur Seine - Roland Tchakounte & Mick Ravassat
Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society - Austin "Walkin' Cane" Charanghat
Boston Blues Society - The Shufflebots
Cape Fear Blues Society - Spider Mike Bochey
Cascade Blues Association - Rollie Tussing
Central Iowa Blues Society - Bad Luck City
Charlotte Blues Society - Conjure Hands
Cincy Blues Society - Sonny Moorman
Columbus Blues Alliance - Ray "Hounddog" Fuller
Connecticut Blues Society - Walter Lewis
Creekside Blues Society - Terry Davison and Wrench
Crossroads Blues Society of Indiana - Homer Pass and MIke Butler
Crossroads Blues Society of Mississippi - Lightnin' Malcolm
DC Blues Society - Robert Lighthouse
Detroit Blues Society - Christy and Jeff Howard
Downstate NY Blues Association - Bennett Harris
Frederick Blues Society - Bo Weevil
Friends of Rentiesville Blues Inc. - Lee Earl McWaters
Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society - Papa John Kolstad & Clint Hoover
Houston Blues Society - Jeremiah Johnson
Illinois Central Blues Club - Jake Shane
Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation - Frank Fotusky
Kansas City Blues Society - John Paul Drum and Bill Dye
Kentucky Blues Society - Brennan Graves
Long Island Blues Society - Mac and the Rockets
Loyal Blues Fellowship - Elyssa Mahoney
Magic City Blues Society - Leonard Watkins
Mahoning River Blues Society - Damian Knapp
Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - Nick Charles
Memphis Blues Society - Michael "Blind-Dog" Gatewood
Mid North Michigan Blues Society - Shar-Baby
Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola - Terry “Harmonica” Bean
Mojo Station - Stefania Calandra
Music City Blues - Melissa Sigler
Blues Society of Northwest Florida - Memphis Annie
North Texas Blues Society - Cheryl Arena & Aaron Burton
Northeast Blues Society - Tas Cru
Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas - JC/BC
Phoenix Blues Society - Mikel Lander
Red White and Blues Foundation - PP & Hooch
Reno Blues Society - Jeff Jones
River City Blues Society (IL) - South Side Cindy & the Slip-Tones
Sacramento Blues Society - Marta Gee
Santa Barbara Blues Society - Karen Tyler
Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society - rizorkestra
Shagbark Blues Society - Mark Austin Blues Project
Spa City Blues Society - Brian Martin & Greg Batterton
Suncoast Blues Society - Ed Wright
Texarkana Blues Society - Mark Searcy
Vicksburg Blues Society - Sherman Lee Dillon
Yesterday & Today's Rhythm & Blues Society - Black On Tan