"Madison Blues" was active from 1994‑2000, sponsoring Blues shows, Blues in the Schools artists, library purchases, socials, fish fries & yearly Blues Calendars. In Spring of 2003, "Madison Blues" underwent reorganization & became very active again as "Madison Blues Society."

The Madison Blues Society (MBS) is dedicated to increasing awareness, understanding and appreciation of Blues music in America's musical heritage. MBS works to expand the presence and vitality of the Blues in the Madison area through promotional events, educational programs, and strengthening links between the community and local musicians.

MBS's 1st Annual Blues Picnic was held on 6/22/03, in Warner Park, with 9 hours of free Blues Music. A crowd of 500-700 enjoyed the gorgeous setting, solid blues music, food, picnic blankets, lawn chairs. Since then, our annual Blues Picnic has grown to 3000-4000 people. Great blues music, friends, food, dancing & a 50/50 cash raffle have kept the Blues Picnic a successful event. MBS outreach blues programs like "Kids Blues," a harmonica group with Joe Nosek, have been staples of our picnic. Joe has taught harmonica at Vera Court Neighborhood Center and then brought in the "act" as the opening group our Blues Picnics. Food drives for local pantries have been incorporated, too and beer sales have benefited local community organizations.

Yearly, MBS donates funds to the Madison Public Library for purchase of blues-related materials. We have also donated: the "Year of the Blues" DVD & CD series from the fall of 2003, "The Blues Project" DVD & VHS "The Blues" box set, "A Musical Journey" (a 5 CD Deluxe box set,) "Best of the Blues" (21 single CD Compilation) and "Wattstax" documentary, CDs and other materials.

MBS sponsored Luther Allison Madison Memorial Dedication on 8/14/04. The memorial is 5 park benches & a plaque in Brittingham Park, one of Luther's favorite fishing spots. Located in the S. Park St corner of the park, the Memorial was erected to honor Luther & his connection to the Madison area community and music scene. Special Guest was Bernard Allison.

Luther's Memorial would not have been possible without the initial 1998 efforts of a dedicated group of family & friends, THE LUTHER ALLISON MADISON MEMORIAL PROJECT COMMITTEE: Vera Crowell, David Day, Tom Earley, Laura Gallagher, Pat Gallagher, Dave Leucinger, Andy Linderman, Mark Munz, Marc Pesselman, Chuck Prindeville, John Roussos, Tom Sobel, Steve Sperling & Rocky. We are forever grateful for their initiation of this project.

Luther always gave it his all, both on & off stage. Madison Blues Society is pleased that we could help bring the Memorial about, to honor the man and his music.

"Leave Your Ego. Play the Music. Love the People."

- Luther Allison

• MBS has sponsored "Blues Kids" harmonica education programs with Joe Nosek of the Cashbox Kings. The kids then performed at our Annual Picnic.
• MBS coordinated an April 2004 Blues in the Schools program with Rev Edmonds at Gompers Elementary School, spreading the history & sounds of the Blues.
• MBS co-sponsors blues bands for many area Community Festivals.
• MBS co-sponsors Blues Performances and educators for The Wisconsin Historical Museum at 30 N Carroll Street on Madison's Capitol Square.
• MBS makes donations to the MAMA's (the Madison Area Music Awards) to get instruments into the hands of schoolchildren.

Fundraisers for the Community

MBS is dedicated to bringing some new blues sounds to the Madison area for community fundraisers.

• In January, 2006, MBS sponsored a show at the Harmony Bar with Hal Reed and the Mob and were able to send $1,900 to Tipitina Foundation for Hurricane Katrina relief.
• By bringing in Deb Seitz & The Swank Daddys in 1/07 for the "Wild Women Never Get the Blues" event, MBS was able to send more than $1,200.00 to Family Enhancement.

Wisconsin Blues Challenge

On 4/15/07, MBS held the 1st Wisconsin Blues Challenge. The winning blues band, Bobby Bryan and the Original Downtown Players, goes to Memphis at the end of January, 2008 to represent Wisconsin in the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge.