Blues Music Award

The Blues Music Awards, formerly known as the W. C. Handy Awards (or "The Handys"), are awards presented by the Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization set up to foster blues heritage. The awards were originally named in honor of W. C. Handy, "Father of the Blues."[1] The first award was presented in 1980 and is "universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded musicians and songwriters in blues music."[2] In 2006, the awards were renamed Blues Music Awards in an effort to increase public appreciation of the significance of the awards.[3]

They are presented annually in Memphis, Tennessee, where the Blues Foundation is located, although the 2008 award ceremony was held in Tunica, Mississippi.[4] The 39th Blues Music Awards was held on May 10, 2018, at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in Memphis. Two new award categories had been announced (Instrumentalist-Vocals and Blues Rock Artist of the Year) bringing the number of awards to be presented up to 26 in total.[5] The 40th Blues Music Awards took place on May 9, 2019, with the Historical Album of the Year category being dropped, reducing the overall number to 25.[6]

The 41st ceremony was scheduled for May 7, 2020, but the live event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7][8] The 2020 winners were announced at a "virtual" event.[9] The 42nd ceremony was again presented at a virtual event on June 6, 2021.[10] The 43rd ceremony took place on May 5, 2022, as the first in-person event since 2019.[11] The 2023 event was held on May 11 in Memphis.[12]

2023

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearMississippi Son, Charlie Musselwhite
Acoustic Artist of the YearDoug MacLeod
Album of the YearThe Blues Don't Lie, Buddy Guy
B.B King Entertainer of the YearTommy Castro
Band of the YearTedeschi Trucks Band
Best Emerging Artist AlbumWho Is He?, Dylan Triplett
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearThe Blues Don't Lie, Buddy Guy
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearRuthie Foster
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearChristone "Kingfish" Ingram
Instrumentalist – BassDanielle Nicole
Instrumentalist – DrumsKenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith
Instrumentalist – GuitarLaura Chavez
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaJohn Németh
Instrumentalist – HornDeanna Bogart
Instrumentalist – VocalsShemekia Copeland
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerAnthony Geraci
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Sue Foley
Blues Rock Album of the YearI Got Love, Albert Castiglia
Blues Rock Artist of the YearAlbert Castiglia
Song of the Year"Blues Don't Lie" (Tom Hambridge), Buddy Guy
Soul Blues Album of the YearIn Too Deep, Sugaray Rayford
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearThornetta Davis
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearCurtis Salgado
Traditional Blues Album of the YearMay Be the Last Time, John Németh
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearJohn Primer

[13]

2022

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearDear America, Eric Bibb
Acoustic Artist of the YearKeb' Mo'
Album of the YearTommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town, Tommy Castro
B.B King Entertainer of the YearTommy Castro
Band of the YearTommy Castro & The Painkillers
Best Emerging Artist AlbumLive On Beale Street: A Tribute To Bobby "Blue" Bland, Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year662, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearVanessa Collier
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearChristone "Kingfish" Ingram
Instrumentalist – BassDanielle Nicole
Instrumentalist – DrumsTom Hambridge
Instrumentalist – GuitarEric Gales
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaJason Ricci
Instrumentalist – HornJimmy Carpenter
Instrumentalist – VocalsJohn Németh
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerMike Finnigan
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Sue Foley
Blues Rock Album of the YearResurrection, Mike Zito
Blues Rock Artist of the YearAlbert Castiglia
Song of the Year"I'd Climb Mountains", Selwyn Birchwood
Soul Blues Album of the YearLong As I Got My Guitar, Zac Harmon
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearAnnika Chambers
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearCurtis Salgado
Traditional Blues Album of the YearPinky's Blues, Sue Foley
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearTaj Mahal

[11]

2021

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearRawer Than Raw, Bobby Rush
Acoustic Artist of the YearKeb' Mo'
Album of the Year100 Years of Blues, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite
B.B King Entertainer of the YearShemekia Copeland
Band of the YearRick Estrin & The Nightcats
Best Emerging Artist AlbumHarlem, King Solomon Hicks
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearUncivil War, Shemekia Copeland
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearShemekia Copeland
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearChristone "Kingfish" Ingram
Instrumentalist – BassDanielle Nicole
Instrumentalist – DrumsKenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith
Instrumentalist – GuitarChristone "Kingfish" Ingram
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaKim Wilson
Instrumentalist – HornJimmy Carpenter
Instrumentalist – VocalsRuthie Foster
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerAnthony Geraci
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Rory Block
Blues Rock Album of the YearMike Zito and Friends – Rock 'n' Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry, Mike Zito
Blues Rock Artist of the YearMike Zito
Song of the Year"All Out of Tears" – written by Walter Trout, Marie Trout, and Teeny Tucker (performed by Walter Trout)
Soul Blues Album of the YearThat's What I Heard, Robert Cray Band
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearBettye LaVette
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearCurtis Salgado
Traditional Blues Album of the Year100 Years of Blues, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearJohn Primer

[14]

2020

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearThis Guitar and Tonight, Bob Margolin
Acoustic Artist of the YearDoug MacLeod
Album of the YearKingfish, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
B.B King Entertainer of the YearSugaray Rayford
Band of the YearThe Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling
Best Emerging Artist AlbumKingfish, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearKingfish, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearShemekia Copeland
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearChristone "Kingfish" Ingram
Instrumentalist – BassMichael "Mudcat" Ward
Instrumentalist – DrumsCedric Burnside
Instrumentalist – GuitarChristone "Kingfish" Ingram
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaRick Estrin
Instrumentalist – HornVanessa Collier
Instrumentalist – VocalsMavis Staples
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerVictor Wainwright
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Sue Foley
Blues Rock Album of the YearMasterpiece, Albert Castiglia
Blues Rock Artist of the YearEric Gales
Song of the Year"Lucky Guy", Nick Moss
Soul Blues Album of the YearSitting on Top of the Blues, Bobby Rush
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearBettye LaVette
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearSugaray Rayford
Traditional Blues Album of the YearLucky Guy!, The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearJimmie Vaughan

[9]

2019

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearJourneys to the Heart of the Blues, Joe Louis Walker, Bruce Katz, Giles Robson
Acoustic Artist of the YearRory Block
Album of the YearAmerica's Child, Shemekia Copeland
B.B King Entertainer of the YearMike Ledbetter
Band of the YearWelch-Ledbetter Connection
Best Emerging Artist AlbumFree, Amanda Fish
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearAmerica's Child, Shemekia Copeland
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearDanielle Nicole
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearKenny Neal
Instrumentalist – BassDanielle Nicole
Instrumentalist – DrumsCedric Burnside
Instrumentalist – GuitarMonster Mike Welch
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaDennis Gruenling
Instrumentalist – HornVanessa Collier
Instrumentalist – VocalsMike Ledbetter
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerMarcia Ball
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Ruthie Foster
Blues Rock Album of the YearThe Big Bad Blues, Billy F Gibbons
Blues Rock Artist of the YearEric Gales
Song of the Year"No Mercy In This Land", Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite
Soul Blues Album of the YearI'm Still Around, Johnny Rawls
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearAnnika Chambers
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearSugaray Rayford
Traditional Blues Album of the YearThe Blues Is Alive and Well, Buddy Guy
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearNick Moss

[15]

2018

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearBreak the Chain, Doug MacLeod
Acoustic Artist of the YearTaj Mahal
Album of the YearTajMo, Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo'
B.B King Entertainer of the YearTaj Mahal
Band of the YearRick Estrin & The Nightcats
Best Emerging Artist AlbumSouthern AvenueSouthern Avenue
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearTajMo, Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo'
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearSamantha Fish
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearKeb' Mo'
Historical Album of the YearA Legend Never Dies, Essential Recordings 1976-1997Luther Allison
Instrumentalist – BassMichael "Mudcat" Ward
Instrumentalist – DrumsTony Braunagel
Instrumentalist – GuitarRonnie Earl
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaJason Ricci
Instrumentalist – HornTrombone Shorty
Instrumentalist – VocalsBeth Hart
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerVictor Wainwright
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Ruthie Foster
Blues Rock Album of the YearWe’re All In This Together, Walter Trout
Blues Rock Artist of the YearMike Zito
Song of the Year"The Blues Ain’t Going Nowhere", Rick Estrin
Soul Blues Album of the YearRobert Cray & Hi RhythmRobert Cray & Hi Rhythm
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearMavis Staples
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearCurtis Salgado
Traditional Blues Album of the YearRight Place, Right Time, Monster Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearRick Estrin

[16]

2017

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearThe Happiest Man in the World, Eric Bibb
Acoustic Artist of the YearDoug MacLeod
Album of the YearPorcupine Meat, Bobby Rush
B.B King Entertainer of the YearJoe Bonamassa
Band of the YearTedeschi Trucks Band
Best Emerging Artist AlbumTengo Blues, Jonn Del Toro Richardson
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearBloodline, Kenny Neal
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearSusan Tedeschi
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearKenny Neal
Historical Album of the Year Chicken Heads: A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush, Bobby Rush
Instrumentalist – BassBiscuit Miller
Instrumentalist – DrumsCedric Burnside
Instrumentalist – GuitarJoe Bonamassa
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaKim Wilson
Instrumentalist – HornTerry Hanck
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerVictor Wainwright
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Diunna Greenleaf
Rock Blues Album of the YearLet Me Get By, Tedeschi Trucks Band
Song of the Year"Walk A Mile In My Blues", Curtis Salgado
Soul Blues Album of the YearThe Beautiful Lowdown, Curtis Salgado
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearMavis Staples
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearCurtis Salgado
Traditional Blues Album of the YearCan't Shake This Feeling, Lurrie Bell
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearBob Margolin

[17]

2016

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearThe Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard, Duke Robillard
Acoustic Artist of the YearDoug MacLeod
Album of the YearBorn to Play Guitar, Buddy Guy
B.B King Entertainer of the YearVictor Wainwright
Band of the YearVictor Wainwright & the WildRoots
Best New Artist DebutThe Mississippi Blues Child, Mr. Sipp
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearBorn to Play Guitar, Buddy Guy
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearShemekia Copeland
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearJoe Louis Walker
Historical Album of the YearBuzzin’ the Blues, Slim Harpo
Instrumentalist – BassLisa Mann
Instrumentalist – DrumsCedric Burnside
Instrumentalist – GuitarSonny Landreth
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaKim Wilson
Instrumentalist – HornTerry Hanck
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerAllen Toussaint
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Ruthie Foster
Rock Blues Album of the YearBattle Scars, Walter Trout
Song of the Year"Gonna Live Again", Walter Trout
Soul Blues Album of the Year This Time for Real, Billy Price and Otis Clay
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearBettye LaVette
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearOtis Clay
Traditional Blues Album of the YearDescendants of Hill Country, Cedric Burnside Project
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearJohn Primer

[18]

2015

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearTimeless, John Hammond
Acoustic Artist of the YearJohn Hammond
Album of the YearCan't Even Do Wrong Right, Elvin Bishop
B.B King Entertainer of the YearBobby Rush
Band of the YearElvin Bishop Band
Best New Artist DebutDon't Call No Ambulance, Selwyn Birchwood
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearBLUESAmericana, Keb' Mo'
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearJaniva Magness
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearGary Clark, Jr.
Historical Album of the YearSoul & Swagger: The Complete “5” Royales 1951-1967The "5" Royales
Instrumentalist – BassLisa Mann
Instrumentalist – DrumsJimi Bott
Instrumentalist – GuitarJoe Bonamassa
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaCharlie Musselwhite
Instrumentalist – HornDeanna Bogart
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerMarcia Ball
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Ruthie Foster
Rock Blues Album of the YearStep Back, Johnny Winter
Song of the Year"Can't Even Do Wrong Right", Elvin Bishop
Soul Blues Album of the YearMemphis Grease, John Németh
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearSista Monica
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearBobby Rush
Traditional Blues Album of the YearFor Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters), Mud Morganfield, Kim Wilson
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearLurrie Bell

[19]

2014

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearThere's A Time, Doug MacLeod
Acoustic Artist of the YearDoug MacLeod
Album of the YearRemembering Little Walter, Billy Boy Arnold, Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Sugar Ray Norcia and James Harman
B.B King Entertainer of the YearBuddy Guy
Band of the YearTedeschi Trucks Band
Best New Artist DebutDaddy Told Me, Shawn Holt & the Teardrops
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearBadlands, Trampled Under Foot
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearSusan Tedeschi
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearGary Clark, Jr.
DVDSongs From The Road, Royal Southern Brotherhood
Historical Album of the YearThe Sun Blues Box, Various artists
Instrumentalist – BassDanielle Schnebelen
Instrumentalist – DrumsCedric Burnside
Instrumentalist – GuitarRonnie Earl
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaCharlie Musselwhite
Instrumentalist – HornEddie Shaw
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerVictor Wainwright
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Diunna Greenleaf
Rock Blues Album of the YearMade Up Mind, Tedeschi Trucks Band
Song of the Year"Blues in My Soul", Lurrie Bell
Soul Blues Album of the YearDown in Louisiana, Bobby Rush
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearIrma Thomas
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearJohn Németh
Traditional Blues Album of the YearRemembering Little Walter, Billy Boy Arnold, Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Sugar Ray Norcia and James Harman
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearJames Cotton

2011

CategoryWinner
Acoustic Album of the YearLast Train to Bluesville, The Nighthawks
Acoustic Artist of the YearJohn Hammond
Album of the YearLiving Proof, Buddy Guy
B.B King Entertainer of the YearBuddy Guy
Band of the YearThe Derek Trucks Band
Best New Artist DebutOn the Floor, Matt Hill
Contemporary Blues Album of the YearLiving Proof, Buddy Guy
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the YearRobin Rogers
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the YearBuddy Guy
DVDRuf, Songs From The Road, Luther Allison
Historical Album of the YearHarmonica Blues, Bob Corritore and Friends
Instrumentalist – BassBob Stroger
Instrumentalist – DrumsCedric Burnside
Instrumentalist – GuitarDerek Trucks
Instrumentalist – HarmonicaCharlie Musselwhite
Instrumentalist – HornEddie Shaw
Instrumentalist – OtherSonny Rhodes, Lap steel guitar
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)Ruthie Foster
Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerDr. John
Rock Blues Album of the YearLive! In Chicago, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band featuring Hubert Sumlin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bryan Lee and Buddy Flett
Song of the Year"Living Proof", (Tom Hambridge / Buddy Guy), Living Proof, Buddy Guy
Soul Blues Album of the YearNothing's Impossible, Solomon Burke
Soul Blues Female Artist of the YearIrma Thomas
Soul Blues Male Artist of the YearSolomon Burke
Traditional Blues Album of the YearJoined At the Hip, Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the YearCharlie Musselwhite

[20]

References

  1. "BMI Ain't Singin' the Blues with Sweep of Handys". BMI.com. 2002-06-02. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  2. "2013 Blues Awards Nominees Announced". Offbeat.com. December 10, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  3. Archived September 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Archived June 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "2018 Blues Music Award nominees announced: Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, Keb' Mo', N. Mississippi Allstars among nominees". Blues Foundation. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  6. "2019 Blues Music Awards: Memphis: May 9, 2019 – Calendar". Bmi.com. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  7. "The 2020 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN are canceled". Blues.org. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  8. McKay, Robin. "Blues Music Awards". Blues.org. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  9. McKay, Robin. "BLUES MUSIC AWARDS". Blues.org. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  10. McKay, Robin. "BLUES MUSIC AWARDS". Blues.org. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  11. "2022 Blues Music Awards Winners". Blues.org. May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  12. Ehrenclou, Martine (January 10, 2023). "2023 Blues Music Award Nominees Announced". Rockandbluesmuse.com. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  13. Grein, Paul (May 12, 2023). "Tommy Castro Repeats as Entertainer of the Year at 2023 Blues Music Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  14. Ehrenclou, Martine (June 7, 2021). "2021 Blues Music Award Winners Announced By The Blues Foundation". Rockandbluesmuse.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  15. "2019 Blues Music Awards Winners Announced". Antimusic.com. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  16. "Blues Music Awards winners announced; Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo's 'TajMo' wins seven awards". Blues Foundation. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  17. "2017 Blues Music Awards Winner List". Americanbluesscene.com. Archived from the original on 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  18. "2016 Blues Music Awards Winner List". Blues411.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  19. "2015 Blues Music Awards Winners". Americanbluesscene.com. Archived from the original on 2015-05-19. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  20. "Blues Music Awards 2011 – A Delta Bohemian Perspective". Deltabohemian.com. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.