Best Self Produced CD Contest
In 2005, The Blues Foundation established an award for the Best Self-Produced CD, given out at the International Blues Challenge, as part of their mission to celebrate blues recording and to ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.
Unlike the celebration of blues recordings and performances at the Blues Music Awards, or our recognition of up-and-coming musician performance via The International Blues Challenge, this award was created to recognize excellence in independent Blues recordings.
The Best Self-Produced CD award is a significant accomplishment in the blues music industry.
The CD that MnBS submits to the Blues Foundation competition will receive attention on a international level from a panel of judges from the blues radio and print industry.
Performers who have previously been nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Music Award) are not eligible.
For complete rules see:
2022 MnBS Competition Winner
Released September 5, 2022
Inner Groove Records
Minneapolis, MN
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1. Long Road to Memphis 2. 4th of July 3. Always Gonna Be Here 4. Reason to Live 5. Dog Get your copy: | |||
Brother Jon is a Blues Rock Band based out of the Twin Cities. Jon is an accomplished singer songwriter in the Twin Cities area, and an excellent guitarist! After having some brief top 10 success with South Dakota based rock band, Abby Someone. Jon left to pursue his own vision and has been playing, writing and recording in the Twin Cities area ever since.
The Brother Jon Band is rooted in Classic rock and blues with a jam style all of its’ own. They are winners of the 2016 Famous Dave’s battle of the bands and in 2017 were voted best album by Duluth Minnesota’s 94x. In 2018 the band was runner up in the Road to Memphis competition and in 2019 voted favorite band by the fans and KFAI Radio and Minnesota Music.
Casey started playing guitar when he was 8, took full advantage of the music offerings at my schools, and studied music education at Lawrence University. Since then, he’s served as a music director in public and charter schools, played in countless bands in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and started his own education and production business, Inner Groove Music.
My personal music shares stories from my life and features the voices of the many instruments I love. Since 2017, I have self-produced 4 full length records, improving my musicianship and production skills with each attempt. In 2020 I started to work with friends and local musicians as a producer and engineer for their projects.
Previous Albums Selected to Represent Minnesota
| Year | Artist | CD Title |
| 2021 | Jay Walter & the Rectifiers | Rectification |
| 2020 | NO COMPETITION DUE TO COVID | |
| 2019 | Mark Cameron | On A Roll |
| 2018 | Paul Barry | Blow Your Cool |
| 2017 | Scottie Miller Band | Stay Above Water |
| 2016 | Joyann Parker & Sweet Tea | On The Rocks |
| 2015 | Javier & the Innocent Sons | Born to Ramble |
| 2014 | Big George Jackson Band | Back At It |
| 2013 | Annie Mack | Baptized in the Blues |
| 2012 | Don Scott & Curtis Blake | Sure Thing |
| 2011 | Jimmi & the Band of Souls | The Devil You Know |
| 2010 | Jeff Ray & Hurricane Harold | Carriage House Sessions |
| 2009 | Boom Boom Steve V & The Knockouts | Tuff Love |
| 2008 | Paul Mayasich & Andy Dee | The Dough Bros |
| 2007 | Paul Metsa & Sonny Earl | White Boys Lost In The Blues |
| 2006 | Scottie Miller | Livin’ Between the Black ‘n White |
| 2005 | The Brothers Curtis | It’s You That’s Got To Go |
