The Minnesota Blues Society is accepting CDs produced without a label by Minnesota acts for consideration of entry into the Blues Foundation’s “Best Self-Produced CD Competition”.
The CD being submitted must be released between October 31, 2025 and September 30, 2026 to be eligible for this year’s IBC competition.
The MnBS deadline for entry is earlier than the Blues Foundation to allow time to determine our MnBS affiliate winner.
CD’s are judged in each of the following criteria (based on the IBC standards):
Blues Content,
Musical Performance
Audio Quality
Cover Art and Design
Credits and Liner Information
The panel of judges is comprised of local blues artists, recording professionals, and blues experts.
The CD selected by the judges scoring will be the MnBS representative CD at the 2026 competition.
Performers who have previously been nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Music Award) are not eligible to enter this contest
To Enter the competition
Before filling out your form, go to IBC Best Self-Produced CD page and read all of the contest rules. We do follow their rules so please become familiar with them.
Return to this page (mnbs.org/selfproduced CD Information) and enter the MnBS competition by submitting either an online or a printable registration form
To use the MnBS printable form use the link below to go to the printable form.
Fill out the form and mail your registration form (including an unopened CD with the liner) to the address on the form. MnBS must receive it by October 10 to be eligible.
Your registration can also be hand delivered to one of the MnBS Board members.
To Submit an Online Form
Use the link below to go to the online form. Fill it out and attach audio files and images of the liner.
Submit form and CD information by October 10, 2026
If selected for competition please be prepared to submit
five unopened CD’s to send to the IBC before October 25.
