The Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame Election Policy
History and Purpose
The Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame (hereinafter referred to as "MBHOF") was created by the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society (hereinafter referred to as "GTCBMS") 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 defines the process for nomination, vetting and election of candidates for induction into the GTCBMS Hall of Fame.
Inductee Criteria
To be nominated and considered for the MBHOF, nominees must have:
— Blues as the primary format or music style
— At least a 20-year history of Blues participation
— 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 Award 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 Award to a compilation of songs published and distributed as an album, CD, record or tape.
- Blues Song Award 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
- GTCBMS 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 GTCBMS.
Nominations and the supporting documentation received or postmarked between January 15 and March 15 of the current year are considered for the year's MBHOF Induction. Official nomination forms will be available at http://www.gtcbms.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 will 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).
- 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).
The Committee
The Committee is a standing committee of the GTCBMS, it shall be comprised of volunteer members of GTCBMS and subject to approval by the GTCBMS Board. At least one GTCBMS 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 designate one member as Chair. The Chair need not be a GTCBMS Board member. The Committee shall conduct all its activities in accordance with GTCBMS bylaws and in keeping with the GTCBMS 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.
Committee Duties
- Prepare the nomination form for publication.
- Solicit and screen MBHOF nominations.
- Contact nominees to verify participation.
- Verify nominee qualifications.
- Select nominees, prepare the ballot and deliver it to GTCBMS Secretary (see below).
- After ballots have been counted, resolve any ties and determine winners.
- Declare MBHOF inductees.
- Notify the GTCBMS Secretary.
- Notify inductees with formal congratulatory letter.
- Prepare a press release announcing the results.
Ballot Selection Process
Nominations will be screened by the Committee as they are received to ensure they meet the requirements for induction. After the closing date for accepting nominations and the initial screening process is complete, the Committee will convene, review all nominations and prepare list of the candidates to be presented to the GTCBMS membership for voting. The Committee will recommend not less than two (2) and not more than five (5) nominees for each category on the MBHOF ballot. Nominee selection shall be conducted in closed Committee meetings and no public explanation of the specific deliberations is required nor shall be given.
The Committee may seek advice or additional information from music professionals outside the Committee to assist in making their selections. If necessary, the GTCBMS 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.
After a preliminary ballot has been agreed upon, all nominees on the ballot 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 information to be included in the description on the ballot. Nominees may request that their names be excluded from the ballot. 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 other to complete the ballot.
Once the ballot has been determined, it will be delivered along with descriptions of the nominees to the GTCBMS Secretary for publication.
Voting Process
Induction is determined by eligible GTCBMS voting members. In order to qualify to vote, a member must be an active member of the GTCBMS on April 1 of the voting year. Each eligible member is allowed one ballot and one vote per category.
In the event of a tie, the Committee will break the tie by committee vote in a closed meeting.
Hall of Fame Schedule
The Hall of Fame induction will be held on or near October 15th of each year.
Schedule of events for each calendar year:
- January 15— Nominations are open for the Hall of Fame. The call for nominations is promoted on the GTCBMS website and by press release to local media.
- March 15— Nominations are closed.
- April 1 — Hall of Fame voting begins.
- May 1— Hall of Fame voting closes.
- July 15— Hall of Fame inductees are announced at the Annual GTCBMS picnic followed by press release.
- October 15— (about) Hall of Fame induction.
Policy Review
This policy shall be subject to an annual review by the Committee and/or Board to ensure that the MBHOF voting process remains fair and consistent with the GTCBMS Mission Statement.
GTCBMS Mission Statement
The Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society will seek opportunities to
- research and document the history of local blues music;
- to chart the evolution of the blues community located in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota;
- to teach, interpret, archive, catalog and otherwise preserve the history of blues music in this metro region;
- to provide learning opportunities related to this American-roots music genre; and
- to enhance and celebrate the existing blues music environment in the Greater Twin Cities Metropolitan Area of the State of Minnesota.
Adopted by the GTCBMS Board of Directors, 05/13/09
Revised 06/14/10
This Page Last Updated: Saturday, July 10, 2010
