We look forward to seeing you in Memphis!

Washington Blues Society

Proud recipient of the “Keeping The Blues Alive” award

 

Washington Blues Society Local Competitions for

International Blues Challenge

Stay Tuned for the 2026 Announcement!

 

Best Self-Produced CD Contest

The Best Self-Produced CD, given out at the International Blues Challenge, as part of our mission to celebrate blues recording and to ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.

Best Self-Produced Official Rules: https://blues.org/self-produced-cd-award/
Entries for the Best Self-Produced CD are permitted by Blues Foundation Affiliated Organizations only.
Each Affiliate is permitted one entry.
The CD entered may be recorded and performed by an act other than is entered in the current year’s International Blues Challenge.
Compilations are not eligible.

Only CDs released between November 1, 2023, and October 31, 2024, are eligible for consideration as The 2024 Best Self-Produced CD.

While the foundation encourages competition at the Affiliate level to determine the CD it will sponsor for Best Self-Produced CD, it does not require one. As an Affiliate, The Washington Blues Society conducts a competition to determine who it will sponsor, overseen by the executive board.

A performer who has previously been nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Blues Award) shall not be eligible for this competition. A CD issued in the name of an otherwise eligible performer which also includes the contributions of a Blues Music Award nominee may be ineligible, depending on the extent of the contribution. Please contact The Blues Foundation directly to confirm eligibility.
A CD on a record label that has been previously nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the W.C. Handy Blues Award) shall not be eligible for this competition.
WBS Judging will take place in October. Judges will remain anonymous in order to protect them from outside influences and represent a cross-section of professionals from the blues radio and print industry. The final results will be announced at the finals of the International Blues Challenge on Saturday, of IBC week held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN.

Evaluation Criteria:
Judges will evaluate each submitted CD on the following characteristics. The criteria considered are listed in order of importance.

(1) Blues Content
(2) Musical Performance
(3) Audio Quality and Production Value of the Recording
(4) Professionalism and Visual Appearance of Cover Art and Design
(5) Credits and Liner Note Information.

How to Submit:

submit 4 copies of the album by Sept 30, 2025

to

WBS

PO BOX 70604

Seattle WA 98127

official rules : https://blues.org/self-produced-cd-award/

PAST WINNERS

 

Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons (Washington Blues Society) solo/duo winners 2017

The WIRED! Band (Washington Blues Society) Band winner 2012

http://wabluessociety.blogspot.com/2012/02/great-news-out-of-memphis-wired-band.html