The CTBS sponsors an annual Blues Challenge with the winners representing CT at the annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN. The CTBS holds three distinct competitions that match the IBC categories: band, solo/duo and best self-produced CD.  

The band challenge preliminaries are held in the Spring over multiple weeks at Black Eyed Sally's in Hartford with the preliminary winners competing in a final session, usually sometime in June.  

The solo/duo competition is held in a similar fashion in late Spring at The Pine Loft in Berlin CT.  

Our judging teams consist of past winners, accomplished musicians, producers, Blues radio DJs, and media folks. Each of the Connecticut band and solo/duo winners receives prize money to help finance their trip to Memphis, as well as an opening slot for the band winner at The Black-Eyed & Blues Festival.

The 2024 Band Challenge registration is finished.