Attention Northwest Arkansas Blues Musicians!

Does your blues act have a self produced CD that was released between November 1, 2012 and October 31, 2013?  If so, that release may qualify to be entered in “The Best Self-Produced CD” award category at the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas is seeking submissions from “local” Northwest Arkansas Blues Acts that qualify. The Ozark Blues Society will not consider submissions by acts from outside of Northwest Arkansas.

A little background... For twenty-nine years, The Blues Foundation has encouraged future blues performers through the International Blues Challenge. The Best Self-Produced CD Award was established in 2005 to recognize excellence in independent Blues recordings.

Time is of the essence since submissions for this award category need to be received by the Blues Foundation by November 1, 2013.

If you are interested in finding out additional details, go to the following link for to see the rules and qualifications for entering. 

https://www.blues.org/#ref=ibc_selfcdrules

If you qualify and would like to have your CD considered for submission, please send 6 copies of the CD to:

The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas

P.O. Box 2004

Bentonville, AR 72712

Along with the CDs, please include a short note describing your project along with current contact information:

• Your Name
• The Name of the Act whose CD is being considered
• Release Date
• Contact information
  • Physical mail address
  • Email address
  • Best phone number to reach you on.

Your application and CDs must be received at our Post Office Box delivered to us by Friday, October 18, 2013. 

If delivered, please email roger.plourde@gmail.com and we’ll make arrangements for you to drop off your entry.

What happens next?  All CD submissions received by the Ozark Blues Society will be judged by a panel of Ozark Blues Society Board Members using to the same criteria and standards used by the Blues Foundation. 

Judges will evaluate the following points. The criteria are in order of importance.

1) Blues Content (is this a Blues Music recording) (2) Musical Performance (Musicianship) (2) Audio Quality of the Presentation (Production Values, Levels) (3) Cover Art and Design (Professional Packaging, Ready for the rack at your favorite music outlet?) (4) Credits and Liner Information. (Informative, Professional).

The winning submission (there will only be one), will be sent to the Blues Foundation to further participate in the award selection process.