You sing
No band? Use an approved backing track—or perform with a musician you know.
Board-review prototype
No registration or licensed tracks are active.
The Charlotte Blues Society Youth Challenge
Shake handswith the Blues.
Pick a song. One song. Try it on. All you need is you.
- 25 & youngerNorth Carolina
- Freeto enter
- Privateaudio first round
Your doorway is already open
There’s more than one way into the Blues.
You don’t need a studio, a full band, or years of experience. Start with what you do—and let one classic song give you room to say something of your own.
You play
Don’t sing? Take an instrumental role over an approved vocal mix.
You have a band
Bring your own arrangement and show us what the song sounds like through you.
Four easy moves
From curious to entered.
We give you the song choices, learning support, recording help, and a clear path to the finish.
- 01
Explore
Listen, learn the stories, and try any of the five songs before you choose.
- 02
Make it yours
Sing it, play it, rearrange it, or build it with your band. Backing tracks are optional.
- 03
Record
Make one 3–6 minute audio recording. A phone is fine; studio polish is not the point.
- 04
Send it in
Submit one private entry. Finalists will be invited to perform live in Charlotte.
Recording Buddy: one device plays, another records. “Help me with mine. I’ll help you with yours.”
Five classics. Infinite fingerprints.
Choose your song.
Try more than one before you decide. At launch, each song will have a story, listening guide, starter chords, playable roles, and approved track options.
Popularized by Robert Johnson
Sweet Home Chicago
A rolling, open-ended classic built for groove, personality, and call-and-response.
Song guide at launchPopularized by Muddy Waters
Hoochie Coochie Man
Big stops, bold storytelling, and plenty of room to make every line land.
Song guide at launchPopularized by B.B. King
The Thrill Is Gone
A minor-key slow burn where touch, space, dynamics, and feeling do the talking.
Song guide at launchPopularized by Muddy Waters
Got My Mojo Working
A driving call-and-response classic with room for groove, personality, and joyful energy.
Song guide at launchPopularized by Etta James
I’d Rather Go Blind
A soulful showcase for phrasing, restraint, emotional truth, and musical conversation.
Song guide at launchPlanting seeds
This could be the beginning of a lifelong love affair.
You don’t have to become a Blues musician. You only have to slow down, listen, and discover what this music can say through you. One song can open a door.
“We’re not just growing Blues musicians. We’re growing the Blues audience for the future.”
Alive. Shared. Yours to discover.The live final
Take your song to the stage.
Selected finalists perform live during Charlotte Blues Society’s Blues Sunday at Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts. It’s the moment the private first step becomes a shared celebration.
- Sunday, November 8, 2026Final schedule to be announced
- Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts1030 Woodward Avenue, Charlotte
- Live performance requiredNo livestream planned
For educators & music leaders
Teach the standards. Open a doorway into the Blues.
Ready-to-use learning supports the work already happening in your classroom. The Challenge gives students an authentic reason to listen, choose, practice, record, and reflect.
ConnectCreatePresentRespond
Open the door
A listening prompt and conversation starter that fits into a class already underway.
Try it on
Song context, musical listening, a playable role, and one creative choice.
Make it yours
Explore, rehearse, record, respond to feedback, and prepare a private entry.
You share one link. We provide the path.
Song histories, listening references, starter chord maps, playable roles, recording guidance, student supports, and entry instructions—all in one Gateway Tool.
A real contest—with a wider definition of merit
We listen for more than perfection.
Every entry is scored using the same five 20-point categories. Technical skill matters. So do creativity, communication, understanding, and heart.
- 0120pts
Musical preparation
Time, pitch, feel, control, and readiness
- 0220pts
Performance & communication
Presence, phrasing, dynamics, and connection
- 0320pts
Interpretation & creativity
Choices that make the song sound like you
- 0420pts
Understanding the Blues
Respect for the song’s language, form, and spirit
- 0520pts
Heart
Honesty, commitment, courage, and emotional truth
Independent judges · common score anchors · conflicts disclosed · decisions final
Straight answers
You may be wondering…
The official rules will control at launch. These answers show the participant experience the Board is reviewing.
Do I have to sing?+
No. Instrumentalists are welcome. You may play over an approved vocal mix, perform with others, or create an instrumental interpretation within the official rules.
Do I need a band—or a backing track?+
No to both. Enter solo, as a duo, or with a band. Perform unaccompanied, with live musicians, or with an approved backing track. The track is a tool, not a requirement.
Can I try more than one song?+
Yes. Explore and try any of the five before choosing the one recording you want to submit.
Can I change the key or tempo?+
Yes. Reasonable key and tempo changes will be available through the controlled participant tools.
Does my recording need to sound professional?+
No. A clear phone recording is enough. Judges evaluate your performance—not your equipment, studio access, or production budget.
Is my first-round entry public?+
No. The first round is one private audio entry used for administration and judging. It is not a required social-media post.
What if I’m under 18?+
A parent or legal guardian will complete registration, permissions, and the private upload for you.
Can I use AI to make the performance?+
No. The submitted vocals and instruments must be performed by the entrant or the entrant’s group. Basic editing is fine; AI-generated performance parts are not.
What happens if I’m selected?+
Finalists confirm eligibility and perform live on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts in Charlotte.
Coming after final approvals
Registration and the complete Gateway Tool
Official dates, rules, secure song access, and private entry instructions will appear here before registration opens.