The 45th Blues Music Awards will be announced May 9, 2024, at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis.
And the nominees are ….

Acoustic Album
Wild Ox Moan, Catfish Keith
Raw Blues 1, Doug MacLeod
Sticks & Strings, EG Kight
Ridin’ the Blinds, Hudspeth & Taylor
Ghost Hymns, William Lee Ellis

Acoustic Artist
Catfish Keith
Doug MacLeod
Eric Bibb
Keb’ Mo’
Kevin Burt

Album of the Year
TEARDROPS FROM MAGIC SLIM, John Primer
Live In London, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
SoulFunkn’BLUES, Blackburn Brothers
Soul Side of Sipp, Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Get Your Back Into It!, Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling

B.B. King Entertainer
Beth Hart
Bobby Rush
Lil’ Ed Williams
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Vanessa Collier

Band of the Year
Larkin Poe
Nick Moss Band
Selwyn Birchwood Band
Southern Avenue
Tedeschi Trucks Band

Best Emerging Artist Album
When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie, Candice Ivory
The Right Man, D.K. Harrell
Up Next, Mathias Lattin
Everybody’s Buddy, Nic Clark
Tony Holiday, Tony Holiday

Blues Rock Album
POWER, Anna Popovic
Writing On The Wall, Coco Montoya
Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, Joe Bonamassa
Blood Brothers, Mike Zito/ Albert Castiglia
What Key Is Trouble In?, Nick Schnebelen

Blues Rock Artist
Anna Popovic
Joe Bonamassa
Kenny Wayne Shepard
Mike Zito
Warren Haynes

Contemporary Blues Album
Live In London, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Ridin’, Eric Bibb
Behind The Veil, Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind
Healing Time, Ruthie Foster
Exorcist, Selwyn Birchwood

Contemporary Blues Female Artist
Carolyn Wonderland
Danielle Nicole
Janiva Magness
Teresa James
Vanessa Collier

Contemporary Blues Male Artist
Chris Cain
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Marquise Knox
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Selwyn Birchwood

Instrumentalist – Bass
Bob Stroger
Larry Fulcher
Michael “Mudcat” Ward
Rodrigo Mantovani
Willie Weeks

Instrumentalist – Drums
Derrick D’Mar Martin
June Core
Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
Tom Hambridge
Tony Braunagel

Instrumentalist – Guitar
Christoffer “Kid” Andersen
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Derek Trucks
Laura Chavez
Sue Foley

Instrumentalist – Harmonica
Billy Branch
Bob Corritore
Dennis Gruenling
Jason Ricci
Kim Wilson

Instrumentalist – Horn
Deanna Bogart
Jimmy Carpenter
Mark Kaz Kazanoff
Trombone Shorty
Vanessa Collier

Instrumentalist – Pinetop Perkins Piano Player
Ben Levin
Dave Keyes
Jim Pugh
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne
Mitch Woods

Instrumentalist – Vocals
Billy Price
Diunna Greenleaf
John Nemeth
Ruthie Foster
Shemekia Copeland

Song of the Year
“Bobby’s Blues” performed by the Blackburn Brothers,
written by Brooke Blackburn
“Horns Below Her Halo” performed by Selwyn Birchwood,
written by Selwyn Birchwood
“Midnight Heat” performed by Christone “Kingfish” Ingram,
written by Tom Hambridge & Richard Fleming
“The Bait In the Snare” performed by Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling,
written by Nick Moss
“What Kind Of Fool” performed by Ruthie Foster,
written by Ruthie Foster, Hadden Sayers & Scottie Miller

Soul Blues Album
Stuff I’ve Been Through, Alabama Mike
SoulFunkin’ BLUES, Blackburn Brothers
All My Love For You, Bobby Rush
Walking Heart Attack, Johnny Rawls
Soul Side of Sipp, Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)

Soul Blues Female Artist
Annika Chambers
Kat Riggins
Terri Odabi
Thornetta Davis
Trudy Lynn

Soul Blues Male Artist
Alabama Mike
Billy Price
John Nemeth
Johnny Rawls
William Bell

Traditional Blues Album
TEARDROPS FOR MAGIC SLIM: John Primer
Nothing But Time, Monster Mike Welch
Get Your Back Into It!, Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
Savoy, Taj Mahal
Oscar’s Motel, The Cash Box Kings

Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female Artist)
Diunna Greenleaf
Rhiannon Giddens
Shaun Murphy
Sue Foley
Teeny Tucker

Traditional Blues Male Artist
Billy Branch
Cedric Burnside
John Primer
Jontavious Willis
Nick Moss

As the year ends, and I look back at what I’ve written for 2023, it occurs to me that there were albums or artists I did not write about. So here are a few thoughts about some of that music that I missed, or overlooked, or ran out of time to accomplish in the past year, but still enjoyed. So, in no particular order, which may or may not be attributed to the off-center windmills of my mind, here they are.

Apologies to those I might have overlooked. It’s hard to find good help, especially when you work alone.

Also, happy new year. Peace, love and blues in 2024.

“Hackney Diamonds” (Polydor) — Yes, the Rolling Stones (in their very senior citizen incarnation) released a new studio album of original material, their first in 18 years, not counting their very tasty blues cover album “Blue & Lonesome” from 2016 (Look it up. It’s quite good.) I thought “Diamonds” was a tough, strong Stones effort. There’s a reason that they’re still the best rock ‘n’ roll band on the planet. I especially enjoy the extended gospel-tinged cut, “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” with Lady Gaga matching Mick Jagger’s ageless power and energy in a spirited duet. And by the way, isn’t it time that Lady Gaga used a real name? She’s talented enough to just be Stefani Germanotta.

“Songs Of Beauty For Ashes Of Realization” (Treated & Released Records) — An album by the always fascinating Reverend Freakchild that contains a reimagining of songs from his past solo projects. This album is filled with the Rev’s enigmatic Eastern mysticism, some psychedelia and a hint of tantric acid spiked with Buddhism. I’m not exactly sure what most of that means, but it’s thoroughly engaging, filled with the Rev’s engaging messages, and often quite inspiring.

“Friends Along the Way” (Club 88 Records) — Ubiquitous piano man Mitch Woods offers an expanded deluxe edition of this 2-CD album. The format is a delicious duo or trio setting with friends that includes a multitude of musical greats like Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Ruthie Foster, Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur, Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball, John Lee Hooker and many more. The very first track, “C.C. Rider,” with Morrison on vocals is an elegant reading that sets the tone for this expansive musical treat. And don’t miss, if you can, Woods’ regular appearances at the late-night piano bar on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues cruises. I’ve been there, and it’s not to be missed.

“Gallery Of Echoes” (Out Of The Past Music)– Fingerpicking guitar wizard Steve Howell shucks his band of Mighty Men for this eloquent solo outing that digs deep into the roots of great American blues music. He absorbs and tastefully recreates the music of masters such as Blind Lemon Jefferson, Reverend Gary Davis, and Blind Willie McTell. It’s a wonderful history lesson taught with this magical music.

“When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie” (Little Village Foundation) — Candice Ivory, The Queen of Avant Soul, takes some time off from her usual jazz life, and honors one of the greatest blues talents, Memphis Minnie (born Lizzie Douglas). Minnie is regarded as one of the best blues singer / songwriters, and Ivory’s tribute session is remarkable both for her personalized interpretation of the songs, and her desire to honor this great musician.

“Best of Me” (Gulf Coast Records) — A heartfelt and hard-driving session from guitarist Joanna Connor, who says of this effort: “The album touches on my maturing as a woman, facing mortality with grace and thanks, celebrating love won, love lost, lust and passion, the pain and pleasure of having this human experience.” It would be hard to find a better description of the blues.

“Exorcist” (Alligator Records) — One of the most exciting and creative young blues musicians performing today is Selwyn Birchwood, whose contemporary blues are a sharp-edged mix of traditional blues, funk and soul pulled together with imaginative songwriting. For example, his wickedly satirical track “Florida Man” (which he is) tackles the humor found in the daily news of his home state.

“B’s Time,” — (Sweetspot Records) A retrospective from the creative musical mind of cornetist Al Basile, wo began that career in 1973 as a cornet player with the still kicking Roomful of Blues. Basile says of the songs here: “I have well over 200 songs to choose from, and these are not my only favorites, but these are the ones I feel closest to, for many different reasons.”

“Keep On!” (Blue Heart Records) — Lil’ Red & The Rooster (Jennifer Milligan and Pascal Fouquet) describe their music as “retro modern blues,” but that still makes it hard to categorize their sometimes whimsical, sometimes powerful, always swinging, bluesy sound. Ohio-born Red shares vocals with the French-native Rooster, and his guitar work is sharply sophisticated. Red’s approach to life and music: “Mix what’s pissing you off with some bounce and swing, sprinkle a pinch of blue notes, and bend it all together on six strings for guaranteed feel-good satisfaction.” Amen, Red.

“Like White on Rice” — The Reverend Richard John, a Brit living in Spain, offers a unique take on classic American country blues. He provides a back beat using a wooden stomp box, plays harp, and switches between electric and acoustic guitars, including a 12-string. His vocals blend toughness with soulful messaging wrapped in a rhythmic blues package. He’s definitely worth a listen. After all, if it hadn’t been for the British blues bands bringing the music home, we might not even know about the Howlin’ Wolf.