Mark “Muleman” Massey claims winning competitions is the key to making it big as a blues musician.

“This is what it takes to get recognized,” said Massey, who is signed on as one of the contestants for the IBC Vicksburg Blues Challenge scheduled to take place at the Ameristar Bottleneck Blues Bar Nov. 11.

The winner of the competition will go on the 29th International Blues Challenge in Memphis from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, where blues musicians from around the world compete for cash, prizes and industry recognition.

Massey said record labels don’t exists for blues artist anymore.

“It’s a different market than it was 20 years ago,” Massey said, adding that the internet and downloading music has changed the culture dramatically.