The winners have been announced, and the readers of Blues Blast magazine, a free weekly Internet blues music magazine published by Illinois Blues, have voted, choosing the winners in the publication's second annual Blues Blast Music Awards.
Last year, over 11,000 readers from all 50 states and 40 other countries voted online for their award winners, which included Chicago blues legends Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor. Nominees in eight categories are chosen by the magazine's staff, music writers, managers, musicians and other industry professionals.
For your consideration, here is a complete list of all of this year's Blues Blast Music Awards nominees and their categories, with the winners noted by bold text:
Best Contemporary Blues Recording
The Insomniacs - At Least I'm Not With You
Nominees:
- The Insomniacs - At Least I'm Not With You
- John Nemeth - Love Me Tonight
- Nick Moss & the Flip Tops - Live At Chan's: Combo Platter No. 2
- Curtis Salgado - Clean Getaway
- Janiva Magness - What Love Will Do
- Shemekia Copeland - Never Going Back
Best Traditional Blues Recording
Various Artists - Chicago Blues: A Living History
Nominees:
- Various Artists - Chicago Blues: A Living History
- Guy Davis - Sweetheart Like You
- John Primer - All Original
- The Mannish Boys - Lowdown Feelin'
- Shirley Johnson - Blues Attack
- B.B. King - One Kind Favor
Best Blues Song
Albert Castiglia - "Bad Year Blues"
Nominees:
- Albert Castiglia - "Bad Year Blues"
- The Insomniacs - "At Least I'm Not With You"
- Chris James & Patrick Rynn - "Mr. Coffee"
- Curtis Salgado - "20 Years of B.B. King"
- Kenny Neal - "Let Life Flow"
- B.B. King - "See That My Grave is Kept Clean"
Best Blues Band
Nick Moss & the Flip Tops
Nominees:
- Nick Moss & the Flip Tops
- Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials
- Kilborn Alley Blues Band
- The Mannish Boys
- The Insomniacs
- Watermelon Slim & the Workers
Best Male Artist
Elvin Bishop
Nominees:
- John Primer
- Bobby Jones
- Lurrie Bell
- Nick Moss
- John Nemeth
- Elvin Bishop
Best Female Artist
Robin Rogers
Nominees:
- Shirley Johnson
- Robin Rogers
- Diunna Greenleaf
- Shemekia Copeland
- Eden Brent
- Janiva Magness
Best New Artist Debut Recording
Chris James & Patrick Rynn - Stop And Think About It
Nominees:
- Chris James & Patrick Rynn - Stop And Think About It
- Joanne Shaw Taylor - White Sugar
- Dave Herrero - Austin To Chicago
- Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm - 2 Man Wrecking Crew
- Guy King - Livin' It
- Eden Brent - Mississippi Number One
Sean Costello Rising Star Award
Kilborn Alley Blues Band
Nominees:
- Kilborn Alley Blues Band
- Joanne Shaw Taylor
- Albert Castiglia
- Dave Gross
- Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm
- Eden Brent
Winners were announced at an all-star live show on Friday, October 30, 2009.
