The Blues Hall of Fame is a historical record of those who have made the Blues timeless through performance, documentation, and recording. Since its inception in 1980, The Blues Foundation has inducted new members annually into the Blues Hall of Fame for their historical contribution, impact and overall influence on the Blues.

Members are inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in five categories: Performers, Non-Performers, Classics of Blues Literature, Classics of Blues Recordings (Songs), Classics of Blues Recordings (Albums). Acccordingly, individuals, recordings and literature are included in the Blues Hall of Fame.

There is no submission or nomination process for induction in to the Blues Hall of Fame. Rather, each year in the fall, a distinguished panel of blues scholars begins the process of discussing who they believe should be given consideration for induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. After some back and forth, they vote in each of the five categories. The number of nominees in a year may vary.

With help from a matching grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission awarded in July 2007, The Blues Foundation has been adding definitive biographical material for each of the inductees. Noted Blues Scholar Jim O'Neal has researched and written these sketches which continue to be added to the website as they become available.