Inductees

select a name to learn more

The Iowa Blues Hall of Fame
mission is to recognize,
honor, and celebrate our
Iowa Blues heritage

The IBHOF exhibit is located in
Mainframe Studios
900 Keosauqua Way #440
Des Moines, IA

The Iowa Blues Hall of Fame (IBHOF) was founded in 1999 and has been a program of the Central Iowa Blues Society since 2001. Its purpose is to recognize and honor Iowa’s rich blues heritage. Potential inductees are nominated by the public and new classes are selected periodically by the IBHOF committee and honored at a celebratory awards ceremony.

The Iowa Blues Hall of Fame exhibit was originally housed at Blues on Grand until its closing in 2010. In September 2014 the exhibit was relocated to the Hawkeye Elks Lodge 160 in Des Moines where it remained for five years. A portable exhibit was introduced in April 2017 for travel to events all across Iowa. In September of 2024, CIBS acquired space at the Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way #440, where the exhibit is now proudly displayed.

The Central Iowa Blues Society regularly hosts two Iowa Blues Hall of Fame events annually; the IBHOF Induction Ceremony in Spring, and the Halfway to Hall of Fame in Fall where the next class is announced.

You can support the IBHOF by attending our events, sponsorship, or simply by making a charitable donation.

Nomination
Inductee Criteria &
Selection Process

CRITERIA – For consideration, nominees need to meet these criteria:

  • Be rooted in a Blues genre style
  • Born, held residency, or performed regularly in the state of Iowa
  • Has played professionally for a significant number of years, so as to constitute a “career” in blues music
  • Non-performing nominees are those that have made a significant contribution by supporting and promoting the Blues in Iowa over a long period of time

NOMINATIONS – All nominations must include the following:

  • Completed nomination form (online or hard-copy version)
  • At least one quality 8X10 photo (high resolution .jpeg or hard copy print)
  • Any available website links, CDs, recorded materials, video, articles, etc. to support the nomination
  • Mail or email any supplemental materials to the contact at the end of the form

SELECTION – Final selection for induction is made by the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame Committee. The Committee reviews all new and previous nominations annually for consideration in that year’s class. Additional information can be submitted at any time to supplement a nomination on file.

Portable Display Request

To request the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame portable display at your event, please send an email to IBHOF@cibs.org for consideration.