With issue #208, now on the newsstand, Living Blues magazine has announced the winners of its 17th annual Living Blues Awards. The publication offers readers the results of two different votes, the first being its critics' poll and the second being a poll of the magazine's readers. Here is the list of this year's critic's poll award winners:
Blues Artist of the Year (Male)
John Primer
Blues Artist of the Year (Female)
Ruthie Foster
Best Live Performer
Chick Willis
Artist Deserving More Attention
Johnnie Bassett
Most Outstanding Blues Singer
Bobby Jones
Comeback Artist of the Year
Eddie C. Campbell
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)
Joe Louis Walker
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)
Henry Grey
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)
Billy Branch
Most Outstanding Musician (Bass)
Bob Stroger
Most Outstanding Musician (Drums)
Kenny Smith
Most Outstanding Musician (Horns)
Big James Montgomery
Most Outstanding Musician (Other)
Sonny Rhodes - lap steel
Album of the Year
Various Artists - Chicago Blues: A Living History (Raisin' Music)
Best New Recording - Southern Soul
Johnny Rawls - Ace Of Spades (Catfood Records)
Best New Recording - Best Debut
Marquise Knox - Man Child (APO Records)
Best New Recording - Traditional & Acoustic
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes - Ain’t It Lonesome (Broke & Hungry Records)
Best Historical Reissue / Pre-War
Various Artists - Take Me To The Water (Dust-To-Digital)
Best Historical Reissue / Post-War
Barbara Lynn - The Jamie Singles (Jamie Records)
DVD of the Year
Tail Dragger - Live At Rooster’s Lounge (Delmark Records)
The Living Blues Reader's Poll
Much like last year, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and Charlie Musselwhite all fared well in Living Blues' annual Readers' Poll. Guy walked off with the "Blues Artist of the Year (Male)" and the "Best Live Performer" awards. King was awarded the "Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)" by the magazine's readers, and Musselwhite took the "Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)" award for another year. The legendary Pinetop Perkins was named the "Most Outstanding Musician (Piano)" by the publication's astute readers.
Soul-blues fave John Nemeth was voted the "Most Outstanding Blues Singer" while Shemekia Copeland took the "Blues Artist of the Year (Female)" award from readers. Tommy Castro's Hard Believer was chosen as the "Best Blues Album of 2009 (New Release)" and Little Walter's The Complete Chess Masters as the best historical release.
Pick up Living Blues on your local newsstand, or check out the publication's website to find details about subscribing or back issues.
