The Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Awards presented annually by The Blues Foundation recognize the significant contributions to Blues music made by the people behind the scenes. Each recipient is selected on the basis of merit by a select panel of Blues professionals.

Ruf Records is being honored as "Record Label of The Year". The significance of the occasion is punctuated because unlike all past recipients, Ruf Records is not based in the U.S.A., birthplace to the Blues; Ruf Records is home-based in Lindewerra Germany. After 12 years in the business, Ruf Records is inarguably a major blues record label. Those 12 years have produced 120 blues releases, 1.2 million blues records sold, 2 Grammy nominations, 10 W.C. Handy nominations, and now receiving the Blues Music Award. Their distribution and influence is world-wide.