Keeping The Blues Alive Awards 2004

Memphis, TN - Seventeen dedicated blues enthusiasts will receive The Blues Foundation's 2004 Keeping The Blues Alive (KBA) Award during a recognition brunch on Saturday, January 31, 2004 in Memphis Tennessee. Bob Porter, host of the syndicated blues radio program "Portrait in Blue," will host the awards. The KBA ceremony is part of the BluesFirst weekend of events that also includes the culmination of the 20th International Blues Challenge competition and seminars, presentations and receptions for blues societies, fans and professionals.

This year's Keeping the Blues Alive Award recipients are:

• Advertising and Sponsor - Volkswagen
• Art - George Hunt, Memphis, TN
• Blues Club - Theodores', Steve Walbridge, Springfield, MA
• Blues Organization - Suncoast Blues Society, Tampa Bay, FL
• Education - Alabama Blues Project, East Tuscaloosa, AL
• Film - American Folk Blues Festival, 1962-66, Vol. 1 and 2; David Peck & Jon Kanis, Reelin' In The Years Productions, San Diego, CA and John McDermott & Janie Hendrix, Experience Hendrix, Seattle, WA
• Historic Preservation - European Blues Senter, Nottoden, Norway
• Internet - BluesWax, Des Moines, IA
• Journalism - Jeff Johnson, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago, IL
• Literature - Sterling Plumpp, Chicago, IL
• Manager/Agent - Bonnie Tallman, BC Productions Artist Management, Hughesville, PA
• Print Media - Southland Blues, Los Angeles, CA
• Producer - Duke Robillard, Pawtucket, RI
• Promoter - Chris Mackey, Bayfront Blues Festival, Duluth MN
• Radio (Commercial - Andre Mosqueda, KGGO, Des Moines, IA
• Radio (Public) - Robert Barclay, WCMU, Mt. Pleasant, MI
• Record Label - Delmark, Bob Koester, Chicago, IL

The KBA Awards are given each year to individuals and organizations that have contributed greatly to the growth and vitality of blues music. Recipients from the non-performing world range from blues societies and clubs to corporate sponsors and radio personalities, as well as writers and educators. A committee of professional blues industry representatives, historians, and artists chooses the KBA Award recipients annually through a comprehensive selection process.

http://blues.org/kba/index.html