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our nominators can access the music from any device. It has streamlined the process, kept more
money in the musicians’ pockets, and grown participation to approximately 300 CD submissions per
year. The more musicians involved in having their music shared, the better it is for the blues.

I’m very excited by the work our entire team has done to expand the International
Blues Challenge. Over the past five years, we have added all sorts of
educational and networking events to the daytime schedule to give it
more of a conference feel. Of
course, attendees continue to
have access to virtually
unlimited live music, day and
night, but they can also attend
film screenings, master
classes, book signings, exhibit
openings, panel discussions and more. The challengers are
invited to networking sessions and special activities to help them learn about both the
music business and the creative process. The goal has been to expand the horizons of
the attendees and the challengers, and we are hearing very positive feedback on all fronts. This past
year’s IBC broke all records – so these extras that give additional value are attracting more and
more people to come to Memphis and therefore to the blues.

I’m also proud of the work we have done to expand the HART Fund. Not only has the fund grown,
allowing us to serve more musicians in need of medical care, but we have broadened the reach of
our preventative screenings. Of course, we continue to screen musicians at the IBC and the BMAs,
but we are now partnering with other music organizations to provide these free screenings at their
conferences and events, thereby reaching more musicians and catching health challenges before they
are irreversible and while they can still be treated. And with the COVID pandemic, I am especially
proud that we have been able to raise some significant dollars to address the need that full-time
professional blues musicians are finding themselves in now that festivals, club dates, and events
have been canceled into the foreseeable future. Knowing that we are making a difference in blues
musicians’ lives is really at the heart of our work.

LL: We all suffer disappointments in our positions. What didn’t work out the way you would
have liked it to?

BN: We’ve thrown a lot of energy into growing memberships, and we have had good success, but
our membership numbers are still not as high as I would like to see them. I wish more people would
not only understand the value of our work but also be willing to support it with their membership
dollars. Membership begins at just $25 per person. I realize that now is a hard time for so many, but
I hope that once we are on the other side of this pandemic, more people will decide it is worth their
resources to support our work.

LL: I bet you’ve had some magical and maybe unexpected experiences. Mind sharing some
with us?

BN: Every time I am around the music, it is magical. I have seen some pretty spectacular
performances that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The Keeping the Blues Alive Awards
Brunch is also a very special event each year. There are so many unsung heroes behind the scenes,