We host the annual Mississippi Delta Regional Blues Challenge, where our winners go on to compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Our musicians have been very successful in the past, shining another bright light on our blues heritage.
Past Winners of the Blues Challenge
| Year | Solo/Duo (Place at IBC) | Band (Place at IBC) | |
| 2005 | Pat Thomas | David Lee Durham & The Ladies Choice Band | |
| 2006 | Eden Brent (1st) | Bill “Howl-n-Madd” Perry | |
| 2007 | Terry “Harmonica” Bean | Homemade Jams Blues Band (2nd) | |
| 2008 | L.C. Ulmer & Chase Holifield | Mickey Rogers & The Soulmasters Band | |
| 2009 | L.C. Ulmer & Chase Holifield (Finals) | Grady Champion Band | |
| 2010 | Alan Jones | Grady Champion Band (1st) | |
| 2011 | Solar Porch | Mark “Muleman” Massey | |
| 2012 | Sean “Bad” Apple & Martin “Big Boy” Grant | Solar Porch | |
| 2013 | Richard “Daddy Rich” Crisman | All Night Long Blues Band | |
| 2014 | Dunavent & Hood | A Different Shade of Blue | |
| 2015 | Libby Rae Watson | Bernie Jenkins Band | |
| 2016 | Libby Rae Watson | Big Time Rhythm & Blues Band | |
| 2017 | Wes Lee (Finals) | GoodPaper & The Reverend Robert Mortimer | |
| 2018 | “Sweet & Salty” Libby Rae Watson & Wes Lee | Stevie J Blues Band | |
| 2019 | Mississippi Marshall Hopper | Robert Kimbrough Sr. Blues Connection | |
| 2020 | Zach Day | Keith Johnson & The Big Muddy Band | |
| 2021 | “Little” Willie Farmer | Soul Night Band ft. D.K. Harrell (3rd) | |
| 2022 | Mark “Muleman” Massey | Big Time Rhythm & Blues Band |
Mark “Muleman” Massey
Solo/Duo Challenge Winner 2022
Big Time Rhythm & Blues Band
Band Challenge Winner 2022