AUBURN – The time has come for musicians across the state to sing the blues. The 2007 Road to Memphis competition is now under way, courtesy of the Maine Blues Society.

This year, blues bands will converge on four separate venues to determine who will represent Maine in the 2008 International Blues Challenge finals next February in Memphis, Tenn.

Round 1 took place April 1 at The Station in Portland. The second round is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at the Time Out Pub in Rockland. Round 3 will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29 at the Funky Red Barn in Bethel. The contest will conclude with an overall competition for venue/regional winners at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 6 at Sea Dog Brewing in Topsham.

Bands from the following towns have registered to compete: Bangor, Bethel, Blue Hill, Brooksville, Bucksport, Kennebunk, Harrison and Winthrop among others. Bands compete in two separate categories: solo/duo acts and electric.

Each year, the Blues Foundation (www.blues.org) holds the IBC to recognize and draw attention to regional blues acts from around the world. Blues societies and associations from nearly every continent hold regional competitions, with winner representing that state/organization in the IBC.

Last month, the Blues Foundation saw record participation in the IBC, with 155 acts from 34 states and eight countries, including first-time entries from Finland and India as well as Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Taiwan and the United States.

Bands/artists that have won in previous years and gone on to represent Maine in Memphis include Bonnie Edwards & The Practical Cats; the Dave Mello Band; the Mark Miller Band; the Mojo Romeos, Pat Pepin and Blue Steel Express. The most recent winner to represent Maine in Memphis (2005) was Berwick-based Roundhouse, led by veteran harmonica master Mike “Bullfrog” Rogers.

The Maine Blues Society was formed in 1989. Its mission is to encourage, promote and expand the development, performance and preservation of the blues. For more information, visit log on to www.mainebluessociety.com.