Dates to Remember
Nominations for the current year must be received by June 1 of that year. All nominations are kept for consideration in future years.
2026 Hall of Fame Ceremony Information
Minnesota Blues Society will proudly induct nine people into the Minnesota Hall of Fame 2026.
The 2026 Hall of Fame will be held at Jimmy’s Event Center in Vadnais Heights on October 18. The doors will open at 2:00 pm for a social time with the ceremony beginning at 2:30 pm.
Tickets will be on sale at Eventbrite on September 20 through October 17.
Ticket prices are $35 for Reserved and General seating.
Reserved seating must be purchased by October 17. There are six seats at each table. You may reserve a whole table or specific seats at a table. Any seats remaining after ticket sales end will be designated as General Admission.
General admission will be available at the event on a first come first served basis. Empty seats at tables will be filled first. A limited number of chairs will be available with standing room for all others.
The ceremony will feature music by several honorees as well as other local artists.
Musical performances will be presented on a raised stage with a premium sound system. A selection of appetizers will be provided. There will be a cash bar and there is free parking at the event.
Minnesota Blues Society Hall of Fame
The Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame is a historical record of those who have made the Blues in Minnesota timeless through performance, documentation, and recording.
2007 at Whiskey Junction |
2008 at the Eagles Club |
2009 at Famous Dave’s Barbecue |
2010 at The Minnesota Music Cafe |
2011 at O’Gara’s Blues Performer: Bruce McCabe Blues Sideman: Curtis Blake Supporter of the Blues (Non-Performer): Blues Saloon (Blues Club) Blues Song: "Lost In The Blues" – Doug Maynard Blues Recording: “Big Leg Woman/Cadillac Baby” – Sonny Rodgers & The Cat Scratchers Arts, Literature and Media: Cold Wind Records (Recording Company) by Tim “Dr. Dog” Bradach Blues Legacy: Leonard "Baby Doo" Casto Keeping the Blues Alive: Judy Cedar |
2012 at Wilebski’s Blues Saloon |
2013 at The Minnesota Music Cafe |
2014 at Wilebski’s Blues Saloon Blues Performer: Jimi ‘PrimeTime’ Smith Blues Sideman: Jeremy Johnson Supporter of the Blues (Non-Performer): John Hammer (Writer/ Photographer/ Publisher/ Promoter Blues Song: “Crying To Do” Curt Obeda Blues Recording: “A Hot Cup of Rhythm and Blues” – Joe Juliano Arts, Literature and Media: Marc Norberg ( Black and White Blues) book Blues Legend: Big John Dickerson Blues Legacy: Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Williams |
2015 at Wilebski’s Blues Saloon |
2016 at The Parkway Theater Blues Performer: Paul Mayasich Blues Sideman: Steve Vonderharr Supporter of the Blues (Non-Performer): Mike Shaw Blues Song: “Two Hours From Tulsa”- R J Mischo Arts, Literature and Media: Gary Eckhart, (Photography) Blues Legend: Wilbur Cole Blues Legacy: LaVerne ‘Lady Blue’ Johnson and Bobby Johnson Keeping the Blues Alive: Charlie Lawson (Presented @ Holiday Party) |
2017 at Famous Dave’s Blues Performer Scottie Miller Blues Sideman: Robb Stupka Supporter of the Blues (Non-Performer): Sue McLean & Assoc. Blues Song: “Leopard Print Dress” Dee Miller and Jimi “Primetime” Smith Blues Recording: “If Nothing Ever Changes” – Wee Willie Walker Arts, Literature and Media: KBEM–FM 88.5 Blues Legend: ‘Famous’ Dave Anderson Blues Legacy: Dave ‘Snaker’ Ray |
2018 at Crooner’s Lounge Blues Performer: Dee Miller Blues Sideman: Larry Wiegand Supporter of the Blues (Non-Performer): Mike ‘Tiny’ Rogers Blues Song: Sweet Cream Sugar Delight”- Scottie Miller Blues Recording: “One Night” – The Butanes Soul Revue Arts, Literature and Media: Karl Bremer Blues Legend: ‘Doghouse’ Jon Lackey Blues Legacy: Mike ‘The Hook’ Deutsch |
2019 atThe Concord Exchange Blues Performer: Pat Hayes Blues Sideman: Bill Black Supporter of the Blues (Non-Performer): Miki Mulvehill Blues Song: “Trouble Caught Me” – Phil Kitze Blues Recording: “Long Shot” – Joe T Cook Blues Legend: Curt Obeda Blues Legacy: John Lindberg |
2020 Cancelled due to Covid |
2021 @ Jimmy’s Event Center Blues Performer: Don Scott Blues Sideman: Allen Kirk Supporter of the Blues (Non-Performer): Jackson Buck Blues Song: “Blinded” - Jimi "Prime Time" Smith Blues Recording: “Lie To Me” – Jonny Lang Arts, Literature and Media: John Hanson (Graphic Artist) Blues Legend: ‘Spider John’ Koerner Blues Legacy: Dave ‘Cool Breeze’ Brown |
2022 at Jimmy’s Event Center and Mancini’s |
2023 at The Historic Concord Exchange and Mancini’s Blues Performer: Bernard Allison Blues Sideman: Michael Velasquez Supportive of the Blues (Non-Performer): Jerry and Sandy Hokanson Blues Song: "Cryin" - Barbara LeShoure Blues Recording: Hook’s Combo – The Blues is all Around Me Arts, Literature and Media: Neil Schloner Blues Legend: Virgil Nelson Blues Legacy: Steve “Killer” Kilbride Keeping the Blues Alive: Rosalyn Goldberg |
2024 at The Hook and Ladder and Minnesota Music Cafe Blues Performer: Pat Donahue Blues Sideman: Keith Boyles Supportive of the Blues (Non-Performer): Rebecca Gullion Lindquist Blues Song: "Alcohol Blues" - Texas Red Blues Recording: That's Alright - Big Smokey Smothers Arts, Literature and Media: Paul Barry for "Blowin' Like Hell" Blues Legend: Larry Hayes Blues Legacy: Tom Burns Keeping the Blues Alive: Brigid Martin |
2025 at Jimmy's Event Center Blues Performer: Charlie Parr Blues Sideman: Marty Bryduck Supportive of the Blues (Non-Performer): Spike Stephan Blues Song: "Gift of Gab" - Steve Grosshans Blues Recording: Soul Feet - Lynwood Slim Arts, Literature and Media: Andrea Swensson for "Life of Cornbread" Blues Legend: Maurice Jacox Blues Legacy: Dave Lambert |
