The Blues Foundation was founded in Memphis, TN, circa 1980. Over the next four decades, the organization has grown to become the preeminent nonprofit blues music industry organization. They host the Blues Music Awards and the International Blues Challenge, which are large networking events and competitions that folks travel to each year. They give out “Keeping the Blues Alive” awards to people and venues who preserve and promote blues music. As The Blues Foundation gets larger, there is growing tension about the lack of Black leadership, however.
References:
- Blues Foundation. N.d. “Keeping The Blues Alive – The Blues Foundation.”
Photo:
- “The Blues Foundation logo,” The Blues Foundation.