NORWICH – In keeping with its lineage of continued success, the Chenango County Blues Association – the nonprofit organization responsible for bringing the annual Chenango Blues Fest online in 1993 – was recently notified that the festival has been selected by the Blues Foundation to receive its top honor.

“It really came out of nowhere for us. We didn't apply for anything – we kind of just received a phone call one day and that was that,” said Chenango Blues Association (CBA) President Eric Larsen.

Founded in 1980, The Blues Foundation is Memphis-based, but world-renowned as the organization whose mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.

While unexpected, Larsen and other representatives from the CBA are jumping at the opportunity to receive the accolade, and will head south to Memphis, Tenn. to attend the award ceremony. The ceremony just so happens to coincide with the 32nd International Blues Challenge beginning January 27, featuring the final rounds of the world's largest and most prestigious blues music competition.

“We've never had the opportunity to attend the Blues Challenge —something I've always wanted to do — but now we have a perfect excuse to go down and actually be a part of it,” said Larsen.