Thunder Bay Blues Society
SUPPORTING THE BLUES SINCE 1998
Click “Join” to download and print the application to join the Thunder Bay Blues Society.
Best Self-Produced CD - Call for Submissions
The Thunder Bay Blues Society (TBBS) will be conducting a local “Best Self-Produced Blues CD” competition for 2025. The winner of this competition will have their CD submitted to the Blues Foundation on behalf of TBBS in the “Best Self-Produced CD” category at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) being held January 13-17, 2026 in Memphis TN.
For the “Best Self-Produced CD’ category, artists do not need to be in attendance in order to win.
Artists submitting entries must be a current member of the Thunder Bay Blues Society (all members who have paid their 2025 membership are considered current).
Compilation CDs are not eligible.
Only CDs released between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2025 are eligible for consideration.
Evaluation Criteria:
Judges will evaluate each submitted CD on the following characteristics. The criteria considered are listed in order of importance.
(1) Blues Content
(2) Musical Performance
(3) Audio Quality and Production Value of the Recording
(4) Professionalism and Visual Appearance of Cover Art and Design
(5) Credits and Liner Note Information.
Artists must submit 4 copies of their CD release in a sealed envelope to the Thunder Bay Blues Society no later than 12:00pm Monday October 20, 2025.
Since Canada Post service is currently unavailable, please email TBBS President Rob Croves at rcroves@shaw.ca to arrange for delivery of your envelope.
Blues Challenge Winners
The Thunder Bay Blues Society Board of Directors
is pleased to announce the winners of the “Hwy 61 to Memphis” Blues Challenge.
The Thirsty Monks won the Blues Challenge
and now have the option to represent the Thunder Bay Blues Society at the 2026 International Blues Challenge
to be held in Memphis, Tennessee January 14-17, 2026.
The band will also open Blues Shakedown 2025 which will be held Saturday October 25, 2025 at the DaVinci Centre.
Congratulations are also in order to Junior & the Bifocals for second place in the Blues Challenge.
Both bands put on terrific performances that the standing room only audience at Norteños Taqueria thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks as well to Rev & the Vintage Sinners for playing a half hour set while the scores were tabulated to determine the winner.
THE THIRSTY MONKS
Tommy Paradis, Mike Kennedy, Erik Larson, Jen Swistun, Nancy Freeborn, Rob Croves (TBBS President), Richard Tribe, Murray Armstrong (TBBS Vice-President), Reggie Modin
JUNIOR & THE BIFOCALS
Justin Stiles, Tony Biscardi, Rob Croves (TBBS President), Kevin O’Neil, Dave Isherwood, Murray Armstrong (TBBS Vice-President), Dave Hubbard
