Acoustic musicians Ramblin’ Dan Stevens and Clayton Allen have been playing together for a scant six months after meeting at the Tuesday Night Pickin’ Party jam sessions in Old Lyme’s Nightingale’s Acoustic Cafe. But their respectively distinct styles — and cheerful personalities — seem to meld effortlessly in magical ways.

In fact, they recently won the Connecticut Blues Society Challenge Competition — solo/duo category — and will represent the Nutmeg State Jan. 26-30 in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge. More than 100 acts from across the globe will take part in a festive musical celebration involving virtually every live music club on Memphis’ historical Beale Street. The stages of competition end on the final night at the immortal Orpheum Theater — where Stevens made the final six in 2008. He believes the chemistry he shares with Allen offers a unique opportunity.

“We’re actually two very different people,” laughs Stevens, who credits the all-are-welcome musical diversity of the Pickin’ Party sessions for his introduction to Allen. “People bring guitars, mandolins, fiddles, banjos, melodicas, accordions ... And you end up with all these different musical artists playing together that might not otherwise do so. And Clayton showed up one night and we started musically interacting and liked each other’s playing. Then we found out we got along and, the next thing you know, we were working together.”

At the heart of the duo’s alchemy — they quickly cowrote several tunes — is their disparate musical roots. Stevens has a strict history in acoustic blues and studied with the likes of W.C. Handy-winner Paul Richell and renowned folk-bluesman Dave Van Ronk. Moore’s past is steeped in old-school country. Too, Stevens — an estimable vocalist — is blown away by Allen’s voice.

“He sounds like Roy Orbison, one of the greatest singers ever,” Stevens says. “So we not only mix our instrumental chops, we have a lot of fun doing vocal stuff.”

To raise funds to underwrite their trip to the competition, Stevens and Allen embarked on a several-date “Road to Memphis” tour in the past month, culminating with a final date Saturday in East Lyme at Old Orchard Farm. Stevens also plays tonight at the Strange Brew Pub in Niantic.

They’re understandably psyched about Memphis but, if Allen and Stevens needed any more incentive or felt the need to add further “blues” authenticity, they got it in genuine fashion last week.

Driving back from a gig in Providence, Stevens’ Volvo lost power on I-95 and, assuming his battery was shot, he pulled to the side of the road. There was no shoulder so he got out of the car, called police and then, as the battery’s located in the rear, opened the back hatch. It was on fire.

Stevens tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the flames. And though he escaped with minor burns to his face and hands, he lost a lot of equipment including a much-loved and extremely valuable Gibson J-200 guitar. Also destroyed: more equipment, a computer, his cell phone, clothing — and all the money from the fund-Memphis tour.

“I’m not seriously hurt, and thank God I’m alive,” Stevens says. “It hurts to lose that guitar and, of course, the money for the trip. We’d played all over the state getting ready. But people have been so kind and generous, it’s overwhelming.”

Stevens says a neighbor started a GoFundMe campaign and the lost money was quickly recouped. The duo isn’t quite sure how they’re getting to Memphis, but, Stevens laughs, "We WILL get there.”

Too, another Pickin’ Party regular, Ned “Tex Arcana” Ruette, surprised Stevens with an incredible gift. Several years ago, Ruette had given his wife a Gibson J-200. After she passed away, Ruette couldn’t bear to part with it — until Stevens lost his own guitar. Ruette gave Stevens’ his wife’s instrument.

“I think I can understand how sentimental this guitar is to Ned,” Stevens says. “For me, it’s an unbelievable blessing to have it replaced, particularly in this fashion. People have been so unbelievable to us and it’s important to remember what a gift music and friends are.”

Dan Stevens & Friends, 9 p.m. tonight, Strange Brew Pub, 297 West Main St., Norwich; free; (860) 886-7600.

Dan Stevens & Clayton Allen, 7 p.m. Saturday, Old Orchard Farm, 22 Scott Road, East Lyme; $10 includes raffle; ramblindan.weebly.com.