Minnesota Blues Society

• 1. History and Purpose
• 2. Organization, The Hall of Fame Committee
• 3. Typical Hall of Fame Schedule
• 4. General Categories
  • Inductee Criteria
  • Nominations and Submissions
  • Committee Duties For the Member Voted Categories
  • General Selection Process
• 4. Legacy, Legends and KBA Categories
  • Inductee Criteria
  • Recommendations and Submissions
  • Committee Duties For the Legacy, Legends and KBA Categories
• 6. Policy Review

1. History and Purpose

The Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame (hereinafter referred to as "MBHOF") was created by the Minnesota Blues Society (hereinafter referred to as "MnBS") 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 covers the two methods of selection into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame.

• Section 4 defines the process for nomination, vetting and selection of candidates for in-duction into the General categories of the MBHOF.
• Section 5 defines the process for vetting and selecting candidates for induction into the Legacy, Legends and Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) categories of the MBHoF.

2. Organization
The Hall of Fame Committee

The Committee is a standing committee of the MnBS, it shall be comprised of volunteer members of MnBS and subject to approval by the MnBS Board. At least one MnBS Board member must serve on the Committee. The Committee shall consist of no less than three (3) and no more than seven (7) members, preferably an odd number. The Committee shall appoint their chair and establish their meeting schedule. The Chair need not be a MnBS Board member. The Committee shall conduct all its activities in accordance with MnBS bylaws and in keeping with the MnBS Mission Statement. In the event that a Committee member is nominated for the MBHOF, they must either step down from the Committee or ask that their name be withdrawn from nomination.

3. Typical Hall of Fame Schedule

The Hall of Fame induction will held on or near October 15th of each year.

Suggested schedule of events for each calendar year:

• Jan 15: Nominations are open for the Hall of Fame. The call for nominations is promoted on the MnBS website and by press release to local media.
• May 14: The Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame Committee selects inductees for current year.
• May 15: Hall of Fame inductees are announced on the website and by press release to local media.
• Oct 15: Hall of Fame induction.

4. General Categories

Section four defines the process for nomination, vetting and selection of candidates for induction into the General Categories of the MBHOF.

Inductee Criteria

To be nominated and considered for the MBHOF voted categories, nominees must have:
— Blues as the primary format or music style
— At least a 20-year history of blues participation in Minnesota
— Made a historical contribution and had an impact and overall influence on blues in Minnesota.

The Committee may add, amend or eliminate categories. Current categories with some examples are:

• Performer(s):  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..
• 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, 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

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.

Nominations and the supporting documentation received will be accepte and retained for all upcoming and future MBHOF Induction consideration.

Official nomination forms will be available at https://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 email or regular mail.

Nomination forms may include the nominator's name, address, phone number, email and relationship to the nominee(s) on the form, along with the:

• Name of nominee(s).
• Years of nominee(s) involvement to be considered (20 year 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.
• Category of nomination.
• A description of the nominee and reason for your nomination (100 to 250 words) for possible use on the ballot.
• When nominating a performer, if possible, provide one or more photos (preferably in .jpeg or .tiff format, minimum 300 dpi).

Committee Duties for the member voted categories

1. Prepare the nomination form for publication.
2. Solicit and screen MBHOF nominations.
3. Contact nominees to verify qualification.
4. Select inductees for the current year.
5. After selections have been determined.
   1. Declare MBHOF inductees.
   2. Notify the MnBS Secretary.
   3. Formally notify inductees.
6. Prepare a press release announcing the results.
7. Prepare MBHOF inductees profiles for presentation at the Hall of Fame event.

General Selection Process

Nominations will be screened by the Committee as they are received to ensure induction requirements are met. The Committee will convene, review all nominations and prepare a list of the candidates for review. Nominees may request that their names be excluded from the process. 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 another nominee.

The Committee will consider all nominations and their appropriateness for induction. Selection shall be conducted in closed Committee meetings and no public explanation of the specific deliberations is required nor shall be given.

Induction is determined by Minnesota Blues HoF Committee members discussing and voting. In order to qualify to vote, a member must be an active member of the HoF Committee.

The Committee may seek advice or additional information from music professionals 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.

All inductees 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 necessary information.

5. Legacy, Legends and KBA Categories

Minnesota Blues Society Mission Statement

The Minnesota Blues Society's mission is to preserve, commemorate, educate, celebrate and promote the past, present and future of blues music in Minnesota.