IBS Member

Artists & Bands

Play the Blues

"The blues is not the creation of a crushed-spirited people. It is the product of a forward-looking,

upward-striving people."

    Albert Murray (1916 - 2013)

American Literary & Music Critic

Why is a Band or Artist Membership Important?

Check out our Calendar for upcoming shows by IBS member Bands & Artists

The IBS Band or Artist membership is an investment in both your music and the Idaho blues community. It's about being part of the Idaho blues community, supporting the scene that supports you, and helping ensure the music gets passed on. Our intent is to support local blues music and local bands that promote it. Band memberships also assist us in selecting local bands for IBS-produced events and serve as a resource for local venues or private parties looking for bands that can play the blues.

Benefits to be gained for you and your band include:

• Visibility and Promotion
  Your band will be listed as an IBS member on our website and your upcoming shows will be posted on our website Calendar. Performances also may be promoted on our social media.
• Credibility
  The Idaho Blues Society has been at the forefront of efforts to keep the blues alive in Idaho for more than 30 years. Your association with our organization helps build confidence and trust with venues and audiences for you as a solo musician or for your band.
• Performance Opportunities
  Member artists and bands get priority consideration for IBS-sponsored events.
  
• Personal Investment in Keeping the Blues Alive
  Your membership helps fund our core youth-focused programs that are designed to encourage young people to learn and play blues music, including Blues in the Schools, Youth Scholarships, and Instrument Repair and Student/School Donations.
• Voting Rights
  You get a voice in annual elections for board members and can hold office.
• Discounts
  Pay 20% less than non-members on ticket prices for IBS-sponsored blues events and on IBS merchandise, including T-shirts, hats, and glasses. You will also be automatically entered into drawings for IBS merch.

Qualifications and Application Steps

Member bands are vetted by the IBS Events Committee. To qualify for band membership, your band needs to meet the f0llowing qualifications:

• Able to play 3 hours of traditional blues, contemporary blues, or blues-rock
• Based in Idaho and/or have at least one member living in Idaho
• Able to demonstrate to the IBS Events Committee the band's ability to play blues music at a live performance or via links to social media posting(s)
• Available to perform in Idaho

Note: Applicants for Band memberships must specify the band name in the "Name of Company" field on the application form.

Shout Out to IBS Member Bands & Artists!

Check out our Calendar for upcoming shows by IBS Member Bands & Artists

Billy Blues Band

Formed in 2016, the Billy Blues Band is known for its wide-ranging and danceable playlist of contemporary blues and blues-rock songs. With the versatility of 8 musicians, the group has also been known to add classic rock, soul blues, and funk to the mix upon occasion to really shake things up. The band loves to share its high-energy fun with listeners and dancers alike.

Deborah Michels Gang

The Deb Michels Gang is well known for their “charisma, power, soul – amazing music from amazing musicians,” according to their many fans. The band plays blues classics and a host of originals written by Band Leader Deborah Michels who says they are “really serious” about their music. “We tell stories through our music. We write, arrange, and practice to bring a fun, creative, bold, soulful evening for you.”

Main Event

The Main Event is a Boise-based band formed in 2021, known for high-energy live performances that focus on classic rock,  blues, funk and R&B, often playing favorite crowd-pleasing hits from the 70s through today.

Steve Melcher Trio

The Nampa-based Steve Melcher Trio plays like a memory — smoky, soulful, Idaho-grown. With guitar, trumpet, and bass, they don’t chase fame, they chase feel. Covers and originals blend like old friends. No fluff. No drama. Just groove, grit, and a good time.