It’s the 38th year for the Blues Music Awards celebrating the year’s heroes in the world of blues.  The music industry, performing artists as well as fans decked in glistening gowns to zoot suits converged at the Memphis Convention center to celebrate, be seen and to talk about the year in Blues. A six month process of nominating by over 100 judges then passing these on to be voted on by the Blues Foundation members from around the world. The ceremony is a 4 hour event with the awards sprinkled between a festival worthy array of the best in the blues performances.

The winners of the coveted brass guitar statues were strongly led by nationally known names such as Joe Bonamassa and the Tedeshi Trucks Band taking the top prizes of Entertainer, Guitarist and Band of the Year.  Blues Veteran and current Grammy winner Bobby Rush took both Blues Album of the year as well as Historical Album of the Year.  Curtis Salgado stole the soul show with Song of the Year, Soul Blues Album and Soul Blues Male Artist.  Many repeat winners resurfaced such as Doug McCloud in the acoustic category, Kim Wilson for harmonica, Victor Wainwright for piano and Cedric Burnside for drummer of the year.  Kenny Neal became the contemporary male blues soul artist as well as contemporary album of the year.   Diunna Greenleaf walked with the title on Best Female traditional vocalist while Mavis Staples took on the female soul blues category.  Jon Del Toro Richardson was the artist that rose to the top as the best emerging artist.  As Willie Dixon says…The blues will always be, because it is root of all American Music.  Or otherwise known as….Hey, Hey the Blues is Alright!