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

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

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

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

 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

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.

Cheers to the nominees and winners!