Glenn Marais to Memphis-IBC Blues contest in Memphis

Hello, I'm Glenn Marais, a Newmarket, Ont.-based blues musician — and I'm inviting you to help me achieve a dream. In June, I took part in a competition held by the Grand River Blues Society featuring many top blues musicians. The judges selected me to represent them in January 2025 as the solo act in the International Blues Competition in Memphis, Tennessee. It's an incredible honour, but it's an expensive quest. I'm asking my friends and community, and blues lovers, to donate anything they can to help me represent Canada and compete for the title of top Blues solo act. The funds will help offset my travel expenses and costs from a week in Memphis for the competition. Last January, I competed with my band Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train and we gave everything we had and made it to the semi-finals. As I sat in the audience at the famed Orpheum Theatre in Memphis watching the finalists compete, I decided then that I would be back — and this time I would win. It's a tough hill to climb. Despite the astounding talent from across Canada that took part in the competition last year, the judges only put one international act through to the finals. For the past year, I've been working tirelessly on my music, writing new lyrics, songs and guitar parts. I've spent countless hours preparing for this moment, and want to do the Grand River Blues Society, my friends, family and community proud. I want to prove that the blues are alive and well in Canada, and that our artists are as good as any others from around the world. I also want to showcase my songs and my music. They are original songs that stem from a life of challenges and triumphs, and speak to personal and universal truths. It's an honour to perform them on such a grand stage, and I truly appreciate any support you can provide as it eases the financial burden and allows me to focus on my music and fulfilling my dream. Thank you!