Who We Are, Who We Are Not

Introduction

By providing this information, we hope to prevent misunderstandings and set clear expectations for musicians and other stakeholders interacting with our organization.

Who We Are

We’re an all volunteer 501(c)(3) non profit arts organization, formed in 1990. 

Our mission is to promote and advance the culture and tradition of blues music as an original American art form, with a vision of expanding the blues audience.

Who We Are Not

We are not a musician’s union or employment agency. We are not a booking agent, artist manager, or record label.

We don’t support any band in particular, but we do support blues music in general, with a focus on the Greater Cincinnati region.

What We Do 

We accomplish our mission through promotion, performance, and education. We promote blues events already occurring in the Cincinnati region, as well as organizing and presenting our own blues events such as the Cincy Blues Fest. We bring in national touring acts who might not otherwise come to our area. 

We have a blues education program and youth band for children, as well as educational articles for blues fans and musicians on our website. 

We have two programs that can be helpful to artists –  the Events Calendar and the Cincy Blues Challenge band competition. We also have an educational article with tips for booking and promoting your band.

What We Don’t Do

We don’t offer health insurance or a pension for musicians. 

We don’t handle booking or promotion for individual bands. We expect them to do this themselves as part of the business of being a band.

Why We Do It

We love blues, and there is nothing like a live performance of soulful blues music. 

Building an audience for blues music creates fertile ground for a thriving music scene.

Blues is an original American art form, which deserves to be celebrated and supported, the same as other original American music like jazz or bluegrass.