The Minnesota Blues Society is accepting CDs produced without a label by Minnesota acts for consideration for the Blues Foundation’s “Best Self-Produced CD” Competition.
A panel of local judges will select a CD as the Minnesota Blues Society’s affiliate-representative at the competition.
CDs will be judged on: Blues Content, Musical Performance, Audio Quality of the Presentation, Cover Art and Design and Credits and Liner Information.
The CD must have been released between October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 to be eligible for this year’s competition (the MnBS deadline is earlier than the Blues Foundation to have time to determine an affiliate winner).
Performers who have previously been nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Music Award) are not eligible.
Rules for Entry
Entries for the Best Self-Produced CD are permitted by Blues Foundation Affiliated Organizations only.
Entries for the Best Self-Produced CD are permitted by Blues Foundation Affiliated Organizations only.
Each Affiliate is permitted one entry.
The CD 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, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are eligible for consideration as the 2023 Best Self-Produced CD.
While we encourage a competition at the Affiliate level to determine the CD it will sponsor for Best Self-Produced CD, we do not require one. If an Affiliate does not conduct a competition to determine who it will sponsor but instead appoints a CD, that CD may not include a board member or officer of the sponsoring Affiliated organization.
A performer who has previously been nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Blues Award) shall not be eligible for this competition. A CD issued in the name of an otherwise eligible performer which also includes the contributions of a Blues Music Award nominee may be ineligible, depending on the extent of the contribution. Please contact The Blues Foundation directly to confirm eligibility.
A CD on a record label that has been previously nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Blues Award) shall not be eligible for this competition.
Judging will take place in three rounds. Judges will remain anonymous in order to protect them from outside influences and represent a cross-section of professionals from the blues radio and print industry. The final results will be announced at the finals of the 37th International Blues Challenge on Saturday, January 22, 2022 held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN.
All entries must be received by the MnBS September 30, 2022.
CDs should be sent to:
CD Competition
MINNESOTA BLUES SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 580704
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55458
Email inquiries may be sent to MnBS: info@mnbs.org
For complete rules see:
