The Reel Blues Fest was founded because there was a need to promote the classicly American musical tradition of The Blues and a need to use the proceeds from blues events to enhance the needs of the artistic community which surrounds the musical genre. The Reel Blues Fest, Inc. sponsors musical and film events from its base in New England and seeks entities and individuals who may need assistance such as older musicians who did not have financial or medical support through their careers and filmmakers and educational entities which need funding to promote the art and craft of filmmaking.