The readers of Blues Blast magazine, a free weekly Internet blues music magazine published by Illinois Blues, have voted and chosen the winners in the publication's first annual Blues Blast Music Awards.
Over 11,000 readers from all 50 states and 40 other countries voted online for this year's winners, which included Chicago blues legends Guy and Koko Taylor. Nominees in eight categories were chosen by the magazine's staff, music writers, managers, musicians and other industry professionals. Here is the complete list of all of this year's Blues Blast Music Awards winners:
Best Blues Band
Magic Slim & The Teardrops
Best Male Artist
Buddy Guy
Best Female Artist
Koko Taylor
Sean Costello Rising Star Award
John Németh
Best Contemporary Blues Recording
Holmes Brothers - State Of Grace (Alligator Records)
Best Traditional Blues Recording
Lurrie Bell - Lets Talk About Love (Aria B.G. Records)
Best Blues Song
Nick Moss - "Mistakes From The Past," from Play It 'Til Tomorrow (Blue Bella Records)
Best New Artist Debut Recording
John Németh - Magic Touch (Blind Pig Records)
Blues Blast magazine also awarded its first Lifetime Achievement Award to Delta blues legend David "Honeyboy" Edwards in recognition of Edwards' significant contributions to, and body of work in the field of blues music.
The awards show was held on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 at Buddy Guy's Legends Club and featured performances from Blues Blast Music Award winners Magic Slim & the Teardrops, Lurrie Bell, Nick Moss, and John Németh.
Other performers during the awards ceremony included Matthew Skollar, Gerry Hundt, the Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Dave Riley, Bob Corritore, Eden Brent, Sugar Ray Norcia, Teeny Tucker, Gina Sicilia, Dave Gross, Tim "Too Slim" Langford, and others.
Check out the Blues Blast website for photos from this year's award ceremonies.
