Keeping the Blues Alive!

The KBS has made significant progress in documenting Kentucky’s Blues history. The Louisville Blues Legacy Project, funded by the Kentucky Oral History Commission, produced over 30 interviews with blues luminaries of the era and is archived at the University of Louisville’s Ekstrom Library. Back to the Blues was a series of cable access shows highlighting local blues talent and history, produced by the KBS and broadcast on TKR Cable.  KBS has also located several previously unrecognized gravesites of historically significant blues artists, raised funds, and placed beautiful headstones at the sites to honor their legacy.

 From its inception, the KBS has been actively involved in promoting the Blues. Many legacy performers have been presented, via either direct sponsorship or contributed support, by the KBS. Such artists as Albert Collins, Pinetop Perkins, and Henry Townsend were all able to appear in Louisville under the auspices of KBS. Our partnership with the Garvin Gate Blues Festival continues to produce regional and national Blues favorites such as Eddy "the Chief" Clearwater, Barrelhouse Chuck, Bob Margolin, Big Bill Morganfield, Billy Flynn, and many others. 

Our strongest commitment is to the perpetuation of the Blues tradition so that generations to come will be able to appreciate this uniquely American art form. Perpetuation actually encompasses the other two "P"s of our mission: it is through preserving and promoting the Blues that we will succeed in perpetuating it.  One of the ways we demonstrate this commitment is with our Sylvester Weaver Award. The award is presented annually in recognition of an individual's or organization's efforts towards furthering the mission of the KBS, "to preserve, promote and perpetuate the blues". 

The KBS cordially invites anyone interested in the Blues to join us! Members receive our monthly newsletter, the Blues News, as well as discounts on local events and purchases. All members, especially our member musicians, are invited to attend a Board meeting to introduce new projects or present ideas that might help us expand our support of the Blues. The KBS Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. To reserve a seat at the table, (or a Zoom link), please send an email to prez@kbsblues.org.