An Evening of Blues Excellence: Highlights from the 2024 Blues Music Awards
The W.C. Handy Awards, commonly called The Handy’s, were first awarded in 1980 and have since held their place as the top tier of recognition and honor the can be bestowed upon the Blues Music community. In 2006 the name was changed to the Blues Music Awards.
The 2024 Blues Music Awards recently concluded, showcasing exceptional talent within the blues music industry and honoring artists who have made significant contributions to this timeless genre. This prestigious event, organized by The Blues Foundation, took place in Memphis, Tennessee, the heartland of blues music. Let's delve into the highlights of this year's awards and recognize the outstanding nominees and winners across various categories.
Categories, Nominees, and Winners:
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
Awarded to the performer who has best represented and promoted the blues through recordings and performances during the eligibility period.
Nominees:
Beth Hart
Lil’ Ed Williams
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Vanessa Collier
***WINNER***
Bobby Rush
Album of the Year
The best blues album in any style released to the public during the eligibility period.
Nominees:
TEARDROPS FROM MAGIC SLIM, John Primer
SoulFunkn’BLUES, Blackburn Brothers
Soul Side of Sipp, Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Get Your Back Into It!, Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
***WINNER***
Live In London,
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Band of the Year
That group, recording and/or performing as a unit, which best exemplifies blues ensemble playing during the eligibility period.
Nominees:
Larkin Poe
Selwyn Birchwood Band
Southern Avenue
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Nick Moss Band ***WINNER***
Song of the Year
This award is presented to the songwriter for a first-ever recording of a song initially released to the public during the eligibility period which best portrays the blues by means of theme, structure, and overall feeling.
Nominees:
“Bobby’s Blues” written by Brooke Blackburn
“Horns Below Her Halo” written by Selwyn Birchwood
“Midnight Heat” written by Tom Hambridge & Richard Fleming
“The Bait In the Snare” written by Nick Moss
“What Kind Of Fool” by Ruthie Foster, Hadden Sayers & Scottie Miller ***WINNER***
Best Emerging Artist Album
That blues recording that was released during the eligibility period for an act that has not received a prior Blues Music Award or GRAMMY® award nomination. The age of the artist is not of significance, but this award is intended for an artist who is up and coming within the blues/music scene and is at the “jumping off” point of his or her career. An artist’s album may not be considered in this category if that artist has already had a professional release of more than three prior albums or EPs.
Nominees:
When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie, Candice Ivory
Up Next, Mathias Lattin
Everybody’s Buddy, Nic Clark
Motel Mississippi, Tony Holiday
The Right Man, D.K. Harrell ***WINNER***
Acoustic Blues Album
That album released during the eligibility period that best represents acoustic blues, in which non-electric/amplified instruments are prominently featured on at least 75% of the tracks.
Nominees:
Wild Ox Moan, Catfish Keith
Sticks & Strings, EG Kight
Ridin’ the Blinds, Hudspeth & Taylor
Ghost Hymns, William Lee Ellis
Raw Blues 1, Doug MacLeod ***WINNER***
Blues Rock Album
That album released to the public during the eligibility period with a majority of songs that best portrays the Blues Rock genre, that hybrid that combines elements of blues with elements of rock, generally employing heavy amplification and driving rhythms, and which may employ non-traditional blues song structures.
Nominees:
POWER, Ana Popović
Writing On The Wall, Coco Montoya
Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, Joe Bonamassa
What Key Is Trouble In?, Nick Schnebelen
Blood Brothers, Mike Zito/ Albert Castiglia ***WINNER***
Contemporary Blues Album
That album released to the public during the eligibility period that best portrays blues in which elements other than those traditionally found in blues are part of the mix, e.g., different rhythms, different harmonies, more elaborate production values, etc., and which may offer a different approach to sounds, lyrics, instrumentation, arrangements, etc.
Nominees:
Ridin’, Eric Bibb
Behind The Veil, Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind
Healing Time, Ruthie Foster
Exorcist, Selwyn Birchwood
Live In London, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram ***WINNER***
Soul Blues Album
That album released to the public during the eligibility period that best portrays Southern Soul Blues, a type of soul music that emerged from the Southern United States. The music originates from a combination of styles, including blues (both 12 bar and jump) with a strong gospel influence.
Nominees:
Stuff I’ve Been Through, Alabama Mike
SoulFunkin’ BLUES, Blackburn Brothers
Walking Heart Attack, Johnny Rawls
Soul Side of Sipp, Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
All My Love For You, Bobby Rush ***WINNER***
Traditional Blues Album
That album released to the public during the eligibility period with a majority of songs that best portrays Traditional Electric Blues employing traditional blues song structures, harmonic structures and rhythms, and which may also employ instruments such as electric guitar, piano, organ, amplified harmonica, electric bass and drums. This category includes subgenres such as jump/swing blues and Chicago blues.
Nominees:
Nothing But Time, Monster Mike Welch
Get Your Back Into It!, Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
Savoy, Taj Mahal
Oscar’s Motel, The Cash Box Kings
Teardrops for MAGIC SLIM: John Primer ***WINNER***
Acoustic Blues Artist
That performer, whether male or female, whose recordings and/or performance during the eligibility period best represent Acoustic Blues.
Nominees:
Catfish Keith
Doug MacLeod
Eric Bibb
Kevin Burt
Keb’ Mo’ ***WINNER***
Blues Rock Artist
That performer, whether male or female, whose recordings and/or performance during the eligibility period best portray Blues Rock.
Nominees:
Ana Popović
Joe Bonamassa
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Warren Haynes
Mike Zito ***WINNER***
Contemporary Blues Female Artist
That female performer whose recordings and/or performances during the eligibility period best portray Contemporary Blues.
Nominees:
Carolyn Wonderland
Janiva Magness
Teresa James
Vanessa Collier
Danielle Nicole ***WINNER***
Contemporary Blues Male Artist
That male performer whose recordings and/or performances during the eligibility period best portray Contemporary Blues.
Nominees:
Chris Cain
Marquise Knox
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Selwyn Birchwood
***WINNER***
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Soul Blues Female Artist
That female performer whose recordings and/or performance during the eligibility period best portray Southern Soul Blues.
Nominees:
Kat Riggins
Terrie Odabi
Thornetta Davis
Trudy Lynn
Annika Chambers ***WINNER***
Soul Blues Male Artist
That male performer whose recordings and/or performance during the eligibility period best portray Southern Soul Blues.
Nominees:
Alabama Mike
Billy Price
Johnny Rawls
William Bell
John Nemeth ***WINNER***
Traditional Blues Female Artist (Koko Taylor Award)
That female performer whose recordings and/or performance during the eligibility period best portray Traditional Electric Blues.
Nominees:
Diunna Greenleaf
Rhiannon Giddens
Shaun Murphy
Teeny Tucker
Sue Foley ***WINNER***
Traditional Blues Male Artist
That male performer whose recordings and/or performance during the eligibility period best portray Traditional Electric Blues.
Nominees:
Billy Branch
Cedric Burnside
Jontavious Willis
Nick Moss
John Primer ***WINNER***
Instrumentalist – Bass
That musician whose skills on the bass in performance and/or on recordings during the eligibility period best portray the blues.
Nominees:
Larry Fulcher
Michael “Mudcat” Ward
Rodrigo Mantovani
Willie Weeks
Bob Stroger ***WINNER***
Instrumentalist – Drums
That musician whose skills on the drums in performance and/or on recordings during the eligibility period best portray the blues.
Nominees:
Derrick D’Mar Martin
June Core
Tom Hambridge
Tony Braunagel
Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith ***WINNER***
Instrumentalist – Guitar
That musician whose skills on the guitar in performance and/or on recordings during the eligibility period best portray the blues.
Nominees:
Christoffer “Kid” Andersen
Derek Trucks
Laura Chavez
Sue Foley
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram ***WINNER***
Instrumentalist – Harmonica
That musician whose skills on the harmonica in performance and/or on recordings during the eligibility period best portray the blues.
Nominees:
Billy Branch
Bob Corritore
Dennis Gruenling
Kim Wilson
Jason Ricci ***WINNER***
Instrumentalist – Horn
That individual whose skills on any horn (including brass and woodwind instruments) in performance and/or on recordings during the eligibility period best portray the blues.
Nominees:
Deanna Bogart
Jimmy Carpenter
Mark Kaz Kazanoff
Trombone Shorty
Vanessa Collier ***WINNER***
Instrumentalist - Piano (Pinetop Perkins Piano Player)
That musician whose skills on the keyboards in performance and/or on recordings during the eligibility period best portray the blues.
Nominees:
Ben Levin
Dave Keyes
Jim Pugh
Mitch Woods
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne ***WINNER***
Instrumentalist – Vocals
That musician whose vocal skills in performance and/or on recordings during the eligibility period best portray the blues. This category is open to all vocalists on recordings and stage as well as to vocalists who also play an instrument.
Nominees:
Billy Price
Diunna Greenleaf
John Nemeth
Shemekia Copeland
Ruthie Foster ***WINNER***
The Significance of the Blues Music Awards:
The Blues Music Awards hold a special place in the hearts of blues musicians and enthusiasts alike. They not only celebrate the achievements of established artists but also provide a platform for emerging talents to gain recognition and exposure. The event underscores the enduring legacy of blues music, showcasing its evolution while paying homage to its rich history.
The 2024 edition of the Blues Music Awards was a testament to the genre's vitality and diversity. From traditional blues to contemporary interpretations, the winners exemplify the breadth and depth of blues music in the modern era. As blues continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, these awards serve as a reminder of its enduring relevance and its power to inspire and connect.
A few notes as we close. We have the distinct privilege here in Dayton, Ohio to have a wonderful organization that puts on a series of free community concerts downtown. This ear we are very excited to be able to see Ruthie Foster and we will certainly capture some photos and videos to share with you all. Additionally, we hope to be able to attend the 2025 Blues Music Awards in person and we will share details of that adventure as they develop.
