2026 TBS Blues Challenge to Compete in 2027 International Blues Challenge The Triangle Blues Society’s annual Triangle Blues Challenge is a regional competition to select acts that will represent TBS in the Blues Foundation’s 42nd International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee January 19 - 23, 2027. More than 250 acts from around the world converge on Beale Street to perform before the music industry searching for new talent, with the chance to win recognition and

Our newest Members Spotlight is on Dennis Beckwith. Dennis originally moved to the Durham area in 1997, now resides in Raleigh. Dennis has been a TBS member since 2018. He met his wife at the Blue Note Grill and was married there by owner Bill Whittington! Dennis was the music coordinator for the TBS and Blue Note Grill blues jams for 2 years, 2018 and 2019 and was in the process of passing the baton over to Lo Taylor before the pandemic hit! Dennis is an accomplished guit

Members Spotlight – Anne Shrago This month’s spotlight is on Anne Shrago, a member since 2012. Anne joined the TBS for the community of other like-minded musicians, who love the blues! She loves being in the company of some great local blues musicians! She recalls going to a Blue Note Grill blues jam one night, with her SG guitar in tow, only to fall in love with the bass! Anne found the love of music as a teenager playing flute and banjo. She stopped playing music when l

We came across this list and it got us thinking. What are your favorite Blues Tunes? What belongs on this list?

The Weekend is almost here and the Triangle Blues Society is ready for it! First, plan your weekend with the Blues Calendar! There's a bunch of shows all over the triangle from some top flight talents. Get out and support some live music.  While we are at it, be sure to check out the new Member's Spotlight feature! Our first subject is the incredible Anne Shrago. Let us know who you would like to see featured next! Finally, we encourage you to join us in supporting and gro

This month’s member spotlight is on Anne Shrago, a member since 2012. Anne joined the TBS for the community of other like-minded musicians, who love the blues and loves being in the company of some great local blues musicians! She recalls going to a blues jam one night The Blue Note Grill, with her SG guitar in tow, only to fall in love with the bass! Anne found the love of music as a teenager playing flute and banjo. She stopped playing music when life’s demands prevailed.

Gear up for some Blues this weekend at The Plant in Pittsboro! A full day of fantastic music with favorites  Andy Kush, The Jive Bombers and Lee Gildersleeve and the Bad Dogs As always, be sure to check out the Triangle Blues Calendar for all of the great upcoming shows

The Triangle Blues Society needs YOU to get the Blues! Tell us about upcoming Blues events and shows!Get out and support local artists & venuesJoin us in growing the Triangle Blues Scene Bring yourself, your ideas and your passion and help us shape the future of the blues in our hometown by becoming a Triangle Blues Leader! Tell us what you can bring to the table, or ask us how you can help by clicking here

There's so much blues music happening this weekend....so plan out your schedule on the  THE BLUES CALENDAR Sunday is the monthly 1st Sunday Blues Jam at the fabulous Blue Note Grill hosted by The Velvet Beat Bring yourself, bring your friends and bring your instrument if you want to jam. We'll see you there!  

  Here's a fantastic opportunity for Triangle Blues Society members to get a full day of great food, amazing drinks, and phenomenal music and fun with family and friends at one of the most beautiful locations in the area. Mystic Farm and Distillery is offering FREE tickets to the first 20 TBS members to arrive at their incomparable.  Bourbon, BBQ & Blues Festival this weekend April 25th. To claim your free ticket simply show your membership card at entry. You can download

See the following for Updated TBS jam calendar.

The word “MAMA” – especially when it is in all caps – invokes dedication, sacrifice, and support. And all that tracks for Melissa McKinney, who fronts the 2025 Triangle Blues Challenge-winning band MAMA. Even without her inspiring backstory, McKinney’s recent accomplishments alone would make for impressive album liner notes: By Barry Shuster Melissa McKinney will not need directions to Memphis when she and her new band MAMA hit the road in mid-January to perform at the 2026

The 2025 Triangle Blues Challenge winners were MAMA featuring Melissa McKinney (band) and Charlley Ward and Joel Keel (solo/duo). They'll now represent the area at the Blues Foundation's 41st International Blues Challenge. Among the other great local talents competing this year at the Triangle Blues Challenge, held on Nov. 2, 2025, at the Blue Note Grill in Durham, N.C.: Caitlin Krisko and the Broadcast, Lightning Kate and the Derm Dregs, Big Jim Kohler and BluzHammer. Solo/

We have an exciting lineup of bands and solo/duo competitors for the Triangle Blues Society's 2025 Triangle Blues Challenge! Band performers at 1PM on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at the Blue Note Grill in Durham will be Caitlin Krisko and the Broadcast, Lightning Kate and the Derm Dregs, Big Jim Kohler and BluzHammer. Solo/duos include Melissa McKinney, T.C. Mirc, Charlley Ward, John Shearer and Blue Plate Special! The Triangle Blues Society’s annual Triangle Blues Challenge is a

The Triangle Blues Society’s annual Triangle Blues Challenge is a regional competition to select acts that will represent TBS in the Blues Foundation’s 41st International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee. More than 250 acts from around the world converge on Beale Street to perform before the music industry searching for new talent, with the chance to win recognition and prizes that include major festival performances and more. This year’s TBS Blues Challenge is ta

Make your blues plans with the Triangle Blues Society's continuously updated Blues Calendar. Want to add an event? Drop us a line at triangleblues@gmail.com.Go HERE to see the entire month in blues. All events are subject to change. Click through individual calendar entries to find contact information for confirmation from sponsoring venues . JOIN THE TRIANGLE BLUES SOCIETY Support our blues mission! Click here to find out more. MONTHLY TBS NEWSLETTER You can also sign up

Armand and Bluesology will serve as host band for the Triangle Blues Society's Third Sunday Blues Jam on May 18, 2025 – and they have special plans. The jam, held from 4-7 p.m. at the Speakeasy in Carrboro, will feature a set inspired by the late Piedmont bluesman Walter "Lightnin' Bug" Rhodes. The Hamlet, North Carolina, bluesman died in 1990 just as his dormant career was in the midst of a long-hoped-for comeback. "Walter was gonna be big," argues Chapel Hill's Armand Len

The Triangle Blues Society sponsors a special fundraising concert from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. 2024, at the Blue Note Grill in Durham, N.C. Triangle Blues Challenge winners Acisse Jay and the Gents (band) and Lynnette Barber & Will Ellis (solo/duo) will perform. They're set to represent the area in the Blues Foundation's 40th International Blues Challenge – and your donations will help fund their trip. Make blues dreams come true! Advance tickets are on sale now; there's a

The Triangle Blues Challenge's 2024 winners are Acisse Jay and the Gents (band) and Lynnette Barber & Will Ellis (solo/duo). They'll now represent the area in the Blues Foundation's 40th International Blues Challenge after competing on Oct. 6, 2024, at the Blue Note Grill in Durham, N.C. In all, more than 250 acts from around the world will converge for the IBC in Memphis to perform before music industry pros searching for new talent, with the chance to win recognition and p

As a part of the upcoming Triangle Blues Challenge, you are invited to submit your compact disc to the Triangle Blues Society to have it considered for the Best Self-Produced CD at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis!Here are the rules: The compact disc entered may be recorded and performed by an act other than is entered in the current year’s International Blues Challenge. Compilations are not eligible. Only CDs released between November 1, 2023, and October 31,