Main Blues

It's that time of year again. No, I don't mean the holidays! It's time for members of the Washington Blues Society to make their nominations for the 2012 Best of the Blues Awards (BB Awards). The BB Awards started in 1991 with 25 categories. In 1996 the Lifetime Achievement Award was added bringing the category total to 26. The nominations are due by February 15, 2012.

Photo by Michelle Burge

Who can nominate? Only current Washington Blues Society members are eligible to nominate artists or other nominees in the annual awards process. To make nominations, simply write the name of the Washington artist, nominee, or party in the category on the ballot on page 31 of the December 2011 Bluesletter. Members are encouraged to nominate in as many categories as possible. There is no requirement to fill in each slot; leaving some categories blank will not disqualify your nomination! Your nomination must be on the Bluesletter mailed to you with your mailing label attached. For couple’s nominations, a photocopy for the second ballot should be included in a sealed envelope along with the original ballot that has the mailing label attached. 

So, if you want to participate, get your membership application in now!! You can download the application HERE. 

Photo by Tim Burge

If you're not a member of the society and don't plan on being one soon, then do the next best thing: post your comments about who you think should be nominated! That's the beauty of social media right? Point out to members which Washington State based artists should be nominated. And musicians, don't forget to get a shameless plug in as well!!

And the categories are...


Here is a list of past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the inductees of the Washington Blues Hall of Fame (past winners are not eligible for future nominations):


The Keeping the Blues Alive award is open to performers and non-performers alike and can be won multiple times. This award is intended to honor the recipient for their achievements above and beyond the "call of duty” to keep blues music alive. Examples include a promoter of a benefit, a special show a festival, a blog (hint, hint!); maybe as a volunteer or a historian, possibly doing work to present and pass the music on to new generations or in other ways sustaining the blues. This award was first given in 1993 and the following list is presented as a reference and as a reminder of the hard work and dedication to this American art form by individuals in your community.

Here is the list of past Keeping the Blues Alive award winners:



Remember blues society members... It's your nomination, make it count!