Blues Matters! was founded 1999 as a fanzine to give enthusiasts a voice. intended to support and promote the Blues in all forms, and so provide a service to music fans everywhere, of “Blues Without The Blinkers”. Blues Matters! represents every aspect of the Blues with all the seriousness, humour, depth, belief, and enthusiasm it deserves. By doing so, we bring together the music, artists, publications, creators, industry, and fans, who enjoy, and therefore help sustain, the Blues for further generations. Each issue offers a refreshing blend of information, fact, honesty, and humour. Blues Matters! brings a wide-range of topics to our readers with exciting and diverse content. Our readers are delighted with pages brimming with interviews, previews and reviews of a whole range of Blues and related music; recording artists, albums, singles, EPs, demos, DVDs; festivals, live gigs and events; associated products; books; and other music information. We are a totally independent music magazine! Our diversity comes from the very best of Old, New, Traditional, and Nu. From the obscure to the popular, the established to the young-guns, if it’s Blues, you’ll find it in Blues Matters! jam-packed with interviews, news, reviews, releases, gigs, and loads more. ACHIEVING FOR THE MUSIC SCENE THAT MATTERS! Blues Matters! has become the UK’s leading Blues magazine. This success is attributed to our many loyal readers that have supported the magazine through rapid growth, and our dedicated team of writers, contributors, and supporters – all committed to promoting the Blues in the UK and beyond. Readers appreciate the fact that Blues Matters! is entirely contributed to by independent music fans (some are professional journalists) and not paid journalists influenced by anything more than a genuine desire to find great Blues music (whether traditional or contemporary). We make no apologies for retaining a fanzine value (including some spello’s and mistakes) whilst producing a magazine worthy of any high street store (and we pride ourselves on the fact we are focused on, and about, the music and NOT celebrity!…yes really there are still a few of us out there!) Our un-blinkered view and representation of the genre ensures we give a fair representation of Blues music past, present and future. The exciting and honest way we showcase the genre has made us an influential and authoritative music publication. OUR AWARD Blues Matters! is proud that The Blues Foundation, in Memphis, awarded us the Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award for 2007, in the Print Media category. This is only the second time a British publication has received the prestigious award, and the first time for a Welsh production. Previous recipients have included major-titles, such as Rolling Stone. The magazine has seen fairly dramatic changes over recent years and whilst this award serves as welcome acknowledgment of the magazine’s continuing progress and improvement, it’s also recognition of the hard-work and time given by every single contributor; true-fans who work hard to promote the music they love! Please help spread the word of this significant achievement, for an independently-produced/fans-magazine. BLUES MATTERS FUTURE. We have now taking the Magazine to a new level with making it even easier to access than before. With our partnership deal with Exact Editions! Now the Magazine is available digitally where ever you are in the world by going to www.exacteditions.comwhere you can sign up and have the newest Magazine on your Laptop, PC or Mac computer screens in a flash. We hope to make bigger steps again in the coming future to serve the Blues and its Fans.