History and Purpose
The Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame was created by the Greater Twin Cities Blues
Music Society to honor those who have made significant contributions to the Blues
in the State of Minnesota. The MBHOF will endeavor to preserve the history of the
Blues in Minnesota, promote public interest in the musicians of the past, and
encourage those of the present and future
This policy has two sections:
Section one defines the process for nomination, vetting and election of candidates
for induction into the Member Voted categories of the MBHOF.
Section two defines the process for vetting and selecting candidates for induction
into the Legacy, Legends and Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) categories of the
MBHOF.
Inductee Criteria
To be nominated and considered for the MBHOF member voted categories,
nominees must have:
Blues as the primary format or music style
At least a 20-year history of Blues participation
Made a historical contribution and had an impact and overall influence on
Blues in Minnesota
The Committee may add, amend or eliminate categories for any year.
Award Categories
Performer: Celebrates the contribution to the Blues of an individual artist, duo, trio
or a band.
Sideman: Awarded to a musician, primarily performing in the Blues genre other
than as the leader or featured artist of the act(s) or group(s).
Supportive of the Blues (Non-Performer): Includes but is not limited to agents,
broadcasters (radio or television), historians, media outlets, music stores,
promoters, radio stations, sponsors, teachers/educators, venues, and other
industry professionals. Award is in honor of Linda Tannenbaum
Blues Art, Literature and Media Includes but is not limited to:
artists (sculpture, paintings, and photographs), books/authors, journalists, music
publishers, photographers, films, videos, any person involved in the graphic design
process, the writing of liner notes, cover art, instructional material and printed or
electronic media such as news publications, columns, magazines and websites.
Blues Recording: Awarded to a compilation of songs published and distributed as
an album, CD, EP, record or tape.
Blues Song: Awarded to the performer(s) and/or songwriter(s) of a song that was
published and distributed on an album, CD, record or tape.
Legacy Award: Celebrates the lifetime contribution to the Blues of an artist who made
a significant impact on the Blues genre in Minnesota during their lifetime.
Legends Award: Presented to an artist, who made a significant contribution to the
Blues genre in Minnesota but who is no longer actively performing.
Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA):
Recognizes the outstanding contributions over a significant period of time that an
individual or organization makes to the Blues genre in Minnesota. This recognition
is not specifically tied to a time frame such as the Hall of Fame but recognizes
extraordinary contemporary contributions.
Nominations and Submissions
MnBS members and the public at large are eligible to submit nominations.
No one may nominate themselves or their own “work”.
One may be nominated and inducted posthumously in each category.
One may be nominated for multiple categories.
Nominees are not required to be members of MnBS.
Procedures for Nominations:
Nominations and the supporting documentation received or postmarked between
January 15 and March 15 of the current year are considered for the year’s MBHOF
Induction.
Official nomination forms will be available at http://www.mnbs.org and may be
submitted online or printed, filled out and sent by regular mail. Supporting
documentation and photos may be submitted by online form, email or regular mail.
Nomination forms must include the nominator’s name, address, phone number,
email and relationship to the nominee(s) on the form, along with:
*Name of nominee(s).
*Years of nominee (s) involvement to be considered (20 years minimum).
*Nominee’s current address, phone number, email, and/or website.
If the nominee is deceased, the name, address and phone number of a family
member.
*A description of the nominee and reason for your nomination (100 to 300 words)
and if possible, provide one or more photos (preferably in .jpg or .tif format,
minimum 300 dpi).
Committee Duties and Participation:
Prepare the nomination form for publication.
Solicit and screen MBHOF nominations.
Contact nominees to verify participation.
Verify nominee qualifications.
Select nominees.
Declare MBHOF inductees.
Notify the MnBS Board of Directors
Notify inductees with formal congratulatory letter.
Assist in the Preparation of the MBHOF inductees profiles for presentation at the
Hall of Fame event.
The Committee may seek advice or additional information from music professionals
MnBS outside the Committee to assist in making their selections. If necessary, the
MnBS Board may also be consulted, however, no Board member who is nominated
for MBHOF may participate in discussions pertaining to a category in which they are
nominated.
After a preliminary ballot has been agreed upon, all nominees on the ballot will be
contacted and asked if they desire to be inducted and are willing to participate in the
ceremony. They will be asked to verify or provide information to be included in the
description on the ballot. Nominees may request that their names be excluded from
the ballot. The request should be made in writing, signed and dated. If a nominee
does not want to participate, the Committee may replace the nominee with other to
complete the ballot.
Recommendations and Submissions
The investigation of the candidates worthiness is the responsibility of the MnBS
HOF Committee. The Committee will accept recommendations from members and
the public.
MnBS members and the public at large are eligible for consideration.
No one may recommend themselves or their own “work”.
Candidates are not required to be members of MnBS.
Policy Review
This policy shall be subject to an annual review by the Committee and/or Board to
ensure that the MBHOF voting process remains fair and consistent with the MnBS
Mission Statement
