Anyone who saw British blues group 24 Pesos at this years' Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival knows they were one great act. But there's no way the band would have been at the show, or even in North America without the help of a unique contest. It was called the New Brunswick Battle of the Blues, and it allowed U.K. blues acts to apply and compete for the right to perform in Canada, at Harvest.

The competition is coming back for a second year. It's open to British unsigned bands and artists "creating original, quality music". Last year, 120 different acts applied, with 24 Pesos making it through to the winner's circle. There are four different heats spread out over England, and held in January. Those four, plus one other chosen by the public, battle it out in the final round in March in London. Then the winner, chosen by judges including reps from Harvest, are flown to Fredericton to play in September 2012.

24 Pesos played four different shows at Harvest, including one with Matt Andersen, who had traveled to England last year to perform at the final round, and act as a judge. It was the group's very first North American performance, and also featured a live appearance on CBC Radio's Shift program, playing for an hour-long segment. It was great exposure for the group, and started a new connection between Harvest and the U.K. blues scene. It's the kind of trade where there are obvious benefits for the winning band, and the Harvest audience, but bigger gains for tourism and good word-of-mouth for the province. For Harvest, it puts them in a new class in North America's festival scene, as an event that breaks new artists. The competition is sponsored by Tourism NB.