Get ready for a night of pure blues energy at Harken Hall on Monday, September 15 as the Nashville Blues & Roots Alliance presents the Local Blues Challenge Finals. This is your chance to witness the very best in Middle Tennessee’s blues scene, as five outstanding acts take the stage, each vying for the coveted opportunity to represent our region at the 2026 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

The finalists—Shantelle & The Juke Joint Band, Doc Downs & The Next Round, Los Swamp Monsters, The Moga Family Band, and Jackie High and the Kites—will deliver unforgettable performances, showcasing their musicianship, passion, and storytelling. Every note will count as they perform before a panel of celebrity judges from the blues community, following the official International Blues Challenge rules and scoring guidelines.

The Nashville Blues & Roots Alliance has quickly made its mark on the national stage. In its inaugural year, 2023, the Alliance sent Piper and the Hard Times to the International Blues Challenge—where they went on to win the competition, release a Billboard-topping blues album, and earn The Blues Foundation’s Album of the Year award. Now, the tradition continues as another talented act prepares to step into the spotlight.

Hosted in Harken Hall’s world-class music space—praised for its exceptional acoustics—this event promises an intimate yet electrifying atmosphere where every guitar riff, soulful lyric, and drumbeat will resonate to its fullest.

Come be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating the heart, soul, and future of blues in Middle Tennessee.

Complimentary parking available nearby. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

QUESTIONS? Contact us at tickets@harkenhall.com or (615) 326-1369. Also check out our Ticketing FAQs.