*Cancelled* 2020 Blues Music Awards Show and Blues Hall of Fame Inductions Ceremony

From: The Blues Foundation 

Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2020 9:00 AM

Subject: Blues Foundation COVID-19 Update for the Blues Music Awards

The Blues Foundation has been tracking the global situation and assessing how to move forward in light of the current coronavirus pandemic.  In response to the most recent recommendations by the CDC and the States of Emergency in effect and called by our United States President, The Governor of the State of Tennessee, and the Mayor of Memphis, The Blues Foundation is writing to notify you of the following changes to our operations: Beginning immediately, and until further notice, The Blues Hall of Fame Museum will be closed to the public. We will notify you immediately as soon as City, State, and Federal Agencies give direction that we can re-open for  visitors and tour groups. Both the 2020 Blues Music Awards Show and Blues Hall of Fame Inductions Ceremony are cancelled as we continue to follow City, State, and Federal agencies' recommendations for public gatherings. In lieu of live events, The Blues Foundation is beginning work to create virtual events where we will celebrate our BMA nominees and winners and our 2020 Blues Hall of Fame Inductees.  Please watch for updates on dates and times to tune in for these important blues events. In response to the current COVID-19 crisis, in which so many blues musicians are finding tours and events canceled into the foreseeable future, The Blues Foundation will be creating a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for Blues Musicians. We are asking those who have purchased 2020 BMA tickets and/or Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony tickets to convert those purchases to donations to be applied directly to this Emergency Relief Fund. Ticket purchasers will also be offered the option for a refund of their ticket purchases or to apply those purchases to next year's events.  However, we hope the blues community at large will come together to support touring blues musicians by making the choice of donating to this Emergency Relief Fund. Our systems are open now to accept donations and donors can easily donate to this fund at this link or online at www.blues.org. We thank you in advance for your generosity. Event ticket holders will soon receive a form to notify us of how we should process your ticket purchases. We will also share detailed information on when applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund will be available and how to apply as soon as we have the minimum funds needed to begin offering support to applicants. We send all our best wishes to each of you with hopes for your safety, health, and wellbeing. Your Blues Foundation staff will continue to work remotely on behalf of the blues, and will continue to accept phone calls and respond to emails throughout the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. Please be on the lookout for further updates or visit us at  www.blues.org for more information about The Blues Foundation's activities.