Winners of the 2026 International Blues Challenge + Canadian Content

Unfortunately, only a few Canadians acts took part in the 2026 International Blues Challenge (January 13 to 17, 2026 in Memphis).

Canadians in Self-Produced CD Semi-Finals

• The Chain: Bittersweet (Thunder Bay Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Album above courtesy of THE CHAIN-I - Topic
  
  
• Jon Hines: Memphis Sun (East Coast Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Album above courtesy of Bandcamp
  
  
• Brandon Isaak: Walking With the Blues (Victoria Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Links: Brandon Isaak, More Brandon Isaak Stories, Album above courtesy of Bandcamp

Canadian Participants (Performance Competition)

• Thirsty Monks (Thunder Bay Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Richard Gale
  
  
• Father 'N' Son (Montreal Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Father'n'Son blues
  
  
• Whitey Somers (Saskatoon Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Whitey Somers

Complete List of Winners

Band: 

• Winner: Derek Dove & the Peacekeepers (Wiregrass Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Derrick Dove & the Peacekeepers
  
  
• 2nd Place: MAMA (Triangle Blues Society)
• 3rd Place: Big Mike & the R&B Kings (New Orleans Blues Society)
• Best Guitar: Derek Dove (Wiregrass Blues Society)

Solo/Duo: 

• Winner: Weary Ramblers (Central Iowa Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of J Goerdt
  
  
• 2nd Place: Devin C Williams (St. Louis Blues Society)
• Best Guitar (Solo/Duo): Chad Elliott (Central Iowa Blues Society)

Misc

• Best Harmonica: Jonathan Pittman (Washington Blues Society)
• Self-Produced CD: Ryan Hartt: Be About It  (Connecticut Blues Society)
  
  
  
  Album above courtesy of Bandcamp

Links: International Blues Challenge, More IBC Stories

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