... to preserve,
promote and perpetuate the Blues Tradition ...
Society Information
| Welcome
| Society Info | Benefits of
Membership | Contributions
& Sponsorships |
| Meetings
| Contact Info | Officers
| Contacts | Membership
Form
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This is the Web Home of the Kentuckiana Blues Society, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the Blues Tradition. We are an affiliate member of The Blues Foundation.
This web site was established in 1997 to assist in getting information out to Blues enthusiasts the world over. We publish a monthly events calendar, membership information, band information, photographs and all of those things that the Web is used for. Bookmark this site so you can check back often for the latest information.
The Kentuckiana Blues Society, founded in 1988, is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and perpetuation of the Blues Tradition in all of its forms
Preservation: Through extensive research and documentation, the KBS has made major inroads into the documentation of the Blues tradition in Louisville, Kentucky. This research has led to the discovery of many rare photos, interviews, and the location of many early Blues related sites. An archive has been established by the KBS to centrally locate all of these materials and make them available to members. We have also located the grave sites of Blues greats Sylvester Weaver and Bill Gaither and arranged for the placement of headstones to preserve their memory.
Promotion: From its inception the KBS has been actively involved on the local Blues scene. Many local and regional talents have been showcased in local venues under either direct sponsorship or contributed support of the KBS. Such artists as Albert Collins, Pinetop Perkins, and Henry Townsend were all able to appear in Louisville under the auspices of KBS.
From 1988, KBS
has been involved with and supportive of local blues festivals including the
Garvin Gate Blues Festival -
which is held the second weekend of October. For three years, 1997-1999, the festival was moved
from the Garvin Gate Neighborhood of "Old Louisville" to Theatre Square
downtown before it was temporarily discontinued. In 2007, the original
Garvin Gate Blues Festival was reborn at Oak & Garvin by the
Garvin Gate
Neighborhood Association and was welcomed back warmly by the
Louisville blues community. The
Germantown-Schnitzelburg Blues Festival began in 2010 and is
held the first weekend of June at the intersection of Hickory & Burnett
Streets.
See the Events Page for details on
this and all events.
KBS has had active participation in the Waterside Arts and Blues Festival throughout its history. At this event, KBS has provided Blues exhibits, workshops, and hosting. KBS welcomes Bisig Impact Group to their current sponsorship of the Louisville Blues-n-Barbecue Festival at the Water Tower.
The Annual KBS Blues Challenge garners recognition for new bands, and, due to our affiliation with The Blues Foundation, the winner is eligible to compete in the finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. The band sompetition is usually held in the summer at Stevie Ray's Blues Bar. There are also categories for Solo/Duo, Self-produced CD and Youth. Check the Contest Page for details, application and list of previous winners.
Perpetuation: Probably the strongest commitment that KBS has is its efforts to perpetuate the Blues Tradition so that generations to come may be able to come to a knowledge and appreciation of the Blues. In a way this perpetuation encompasses the other two "p"s of our mission: it is through the preservation and presentation of the Blues that we can begin to perpetuate it.
One of the ways in which KBS
perpetuates the Blues is through the annual presentation of the Sylvester Weaver Award to
an individual in recognition of their efforts in representing the mission of the KBS.
(Check the Awards Page for details and winners of the
Sylvester Weaver Award)
Additionally, we seek to perpetuate the Blues with formal and informal presentations about the Blues to various groups, and through our own presence at festivals and concerts.
Membership: KBS encourages membership by anyone interested in the Blues. Members receive our monthly newsletter Blues News, as well as opportunities for discounts on local events and purchases (see Sponsors Page for details). All members are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings of the Society to bring their own views and talents to the support of the Blues.
Current benefits (with your current membership card) include:
Monthly newsletter with photos, articles, CD reviews and calendar
Weekly e-mail (Wednesdays) update of local and regional events
$2 off admission to events at Stevie Ray's Blues Bar
10% discount on all purchases at Guitar Emporium
10% discount on purchases at Kentuckiana Music Center in New Albany, IN
10% discount on gear and accessories at MOM's Music, Mellwood Avenue location
10% discount at Doug's DJ & Karaoke
10% discount at MLR Video
Maxwell's House of Music (Jeffersonville, IN)
10% off accessory purchases (ask for Mike)
Free admission to the annual KBS Anniversary Party in November
Free admission or discounted admission to other local events and festivals
and Last but not Least - the camaraderie of attending a KBS Board Meeting the 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm (currently at Check's Cafe). Recently released CDs are distributed after the meeting for review in the newsletter - if you are willing to review a CD, you get to keep it.
(Benefits are subject to change without notice, benefits may be added or removed)
Contributions and
Sponsorships: KBS welcomes all contributions and
sponsorships of its events that do not compromise the integrity of the Blues. These
donations are tax deductible to the amount that the law allows. Donate
safely and securely on line by clicking this button:
The KBS Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Members are welcome. Check the Front Page of the Web Site or the newsletter each month for location information.
