Bobby Rush (left) shows off one of his new trophies with BMI's Thomas Cain (right).

Bobby Rush's wins for Acoustic Blues Artist and Album of the Year arrived on the strength of his 2007 release, Raw, while Irma Thomas earned the Soul Blues - Female Artist of the Year crown. Koko Taylor's slew of trophies underscored her continued relevance: Traditional Blues - Female Artist, Blues Song and Traditional Blues Album of the Year all went to the "Queen of the Blues."

BMI's Thomas Cain (far left) snaps a photo with winners The Holmes Brothers.

In addition to a Contemporary Blues Album of the Year win for Painkiller, acclaimed vocalist and guitarman Tommy Castro received the prestigious B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award, while the coveted Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award went to Honey Piazza. The Holmes Brothers' State of Grace also garnered Soul Blues Album of the Year honors for the beloved group, while musicians Robert Randolf, Bob Stroger, Kim Wilson, Bob Margolin and Deanna Bogart all took home awards touting mastery of their respective instruments.

Performer and nominee Ruthie Foster (left) pauses for a shot with BMI's Thomas Cain (right).

The night prior to the Blues Awards event, the Blues Foundation held its induction ceremony for the Blues Hall of Fame, honoring the individual achievements of guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Johnny "Guitar" Watson, pianist Jimmy McCracklin, singer Jimmy Weatherspoon, pre-WWII string band the Mississippi Sheiks, and country blues performer Peetie Wheatstraw.

BMI's Thomas Cain (left) and bassist of the year Bob Stroger (right) smile for the camera.

The Blues Foundation was formed in Memphis in 1980 as a non-profit organization to preserve the rich heritage of the blues and promote excellence in blues music. Consisting of over 160 affiliated organizations worldwide, The Blues Foundations sponsors the annual Blues Music Awards, The International Blues Challenge, and the organization's "Blues In The Schools" educational program. For more information on the foundation's programs and history, please visit www.blues.org.

Pictured are (l to r): the Kilborn Alley Blues Band's Chris Breen, Abraham Johnson, Blues Foundation's Jay Sieleman and BMI's Thomas Cain.

All BMI 2008 Blues Awards Winners

Individual Award Winners
Acoustic Blues - Artist of the Year
Bobby Rush

Contemporary Blues - Male Artist of the Year
Tab Benoit

Soul Blues - Male Artist of the Year
Bobby Rush

Soul Blues - Female Artist of the Year
Irma Thomas

Traditional Blues - Female Artist of the Year
Koko Taylor

Traditional Blues - Male Artist of the Year
Hubert Sumlin

Blues Instrumentalists
Best Instrumentalist - Bass
Bob Stroger

Best Instrumentalist - Guitar
Bob Margolin

Best Instrumentalist - Harmonica
Kim Wilson

Best Instrumentalist - Horn
Deanna Bogart

Best Instrumentalist - Pedal Steel
Robert Randolph

Award-Winning Recordings
Acoustic Blues Album of the Year
Bobby Rush - Raw (Deep Rush Records)

Blues Song of the Year
Koko Taylor - "Gonna Buy Me A Mule"

Blues DVD of the Year
Kenny Wayne Shepherd - 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads
(Reprise Records)

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
Tommy Castro - Painkiller (Blind Pig Records)

Historical Album of the Year
Muddy Waters & Johnny Winter - Breakin' It UP, Breakin' it DOWN
(Epic/Legacy Recordings)

Soul Blues Album of the Year
The Holmes Brothers - State of Grace (Alligator Records)

Traditional Blues Album of the Year
Koko Taylor - Old School (Alligator Records)

Special Awards
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award
Honey Piazza

B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award
Tommy Castro

Legend Bobby Rush earned four nominations this year, including Artist of the Year nods in both Acoustic and Soul Blues categories. Rush is the first artist to ever garner simultaneous Artist of the Year nominations in the two separate categories - a reflection of his distinct acoustic and soul revue performances witnessed throughout 2007. His aptly titled Raw album also snagged an Acoustic Album of the Year nod.

"Queen of the Blues" Koko Taylor also secured four nominations. The Grammy-award winning chanteuse recorded her 2007 release,Old School, after a seven year recording hiatus. Taylor's welcome return cured her aching absence and garnered the icon nods in Album, Song and Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year categories.

Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan'sOn the Jimmy Reed Highway snagged three prestigious nominations, including Album of the Year. Singer Dykes, frontman of Omar & The Howlers, and guitarist Vaughn, co-founder of blues rockers The Fabulous Thunderbirds, collaborated to pay homage to revered bluesman Jimmy Reed.

Nick Moss & the Flip Tops also garnered three nods. Their project,Play It 'Til Tomorrow, earned an Album of the Year nomination, while the group itself is up for Band of the Year, and frontman Nick Moss received a Guitarist of the Year nod.

My Life, My Friends, My Music by Sugar Ray & the Bluetones also received an Album of the Year nomination, while frontman Sugar Ray Norcia snagged an Instrumentalist of the Year nod in the Harmonica category. The band's tune "The Last Words of A Fool" also numbers among the prestigious Song of the Year nominees.

Eclectic artist Lurrie Bell also earned three nominations. Bell received individual nods in the Guitarist and Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year categories, while he also shares a nomination with his late father, legendary harpist Carey Bell, in the newly created DVD category. The DVD, entitledGettin' Up: Live at Buddy Guy's Legends, captures a stunning live performance by the father and son.

Online voting began December 13 for members. For voting, ticket and host hotel information, please visit blues.org.

The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists.  The presenting sponsor will once again be The Gibson Foundation.  In 2008, the State of Mississippi, the Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Grand Casino and Resort are also sponsoring the Blues Music Awards.  The Blues Music Awards are also sponsored by BMI, Casey Family Programs, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.

ALL BMI 2008 BLUES MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES

Acoustic Album of the Year
Bobby Rush -Raw
Dave Riley and Bob Corritore -Travelin' the Dirt Road
Fruteland Jackson -Tell Me What You Say
Jimmy "Duck" Holmes -Done Got Tired Of Tryin'

Acoustic Artist of the Year
Bobby Rush
Doug MacLeod
Eric Bibb
Fruteland Jackson
Guy Davis
Mary Flower

Album of the Year
Koko Taylor -Old School
Nick Moss & the Flip Tops -Play It 'Til Tomorrow
Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan -On the Jimmy Reed Highway
Sugar Ray & the Bluetones -My Life, My Friends, My Music

B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
Bobby Rush
Janiva Magness
Tommy Castro

Band of the Year
Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials
Magic Slim & the Teardrops
Mannish Boys
Nick Moss & the Flip Tops

Best New Artist Debut
Gina Sicilia -Allow Me to Confess
John Nemeth -Magic Touch

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
Bryan Lee -Katrina Was Her Name
Tommy Castro -Painkiller

Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year
Candye Kane
Debbie Davies

Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year
Kim Wilson
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Tab Benoit

DVD
Carey & Lurrie Bell -Gettin' Up: Live at Buddy Guy's Legends
Kenny Wayne Shepherd -10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads
Pinetop Perkins -Born in the Honey
Son Seals -A Journey through the Blues - The Son Seals Story
Willie King -Down in the Woods

Historical Album of the Year
Blind Pig -The Essential Magic Slim - Magic Slim
Blue Witch -House Rockin' and Blues Shoutin' - Various Artists
Delmark -Kidney Stew Is Fine - Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
Delmark -Steady Rollin' Man - Robert Jr. Lockwood
Epic/Legacy -Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down - Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter

Instrumentalist-Bass
Bill Stuve
Bob Stroger
Calvin "Fuzz" Jones
Jeff Turmes
Larry Taylor
Michael "Mudcat" Ward

Instrumentalist-Drums
Jimi Bott
Richard Innes

Instrumentalist-Guitar
Bob Margolin
Duke Robillard
Kid Ramos
Lurrie Bell
Nick Moss

Instrumentalist-Harmonica
Carey Bell
Kim Wilson
Mark Hummel
Sugar Ray Norcia

Instrumentalist-Horn
Big James Montgomery
Calvin Owens
Deanna Bogart
Doug James
Kaz Kazanoff

Instrumentalist-Other
Gerry Hundt - Mandolin
Johnny Sansone - Accordion
Otis Taylor - Banjo
Robert Randolph - Pedal Steel
Sonny Rhodes - Lap Steel

Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year
Ann Rabson
Bruce Katz
David Maxwell
Henry Butler
Honey Piazza

Song of the Year
'Gonna Buy Me a Mule' - Koko Taylor, Koko Taylor -Old School
'Jimmy Reed Highway' - Omar Kent Dykes & Steve Callif, Omar Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan -On the Jimmy Reed Highway
'Poor Man's Paradise' - Johnny Sansone, Johnny Sansone -Poor Man's Paradise
'The Last Words of A Fool' - Sugar Ray Norcia, Sugar Ray & the Bluetones -My Life, My Friends, My Music

Soul Blues Album of the Year
Eugene Hideaway Bridges -Eugene Hideaway Bridges
Holmes Brothers -State of Grace
Mem Shannon -A Night at Tipitina's
Root Doctor -Change Our Ways
Tad Robinson -A New Point of View

Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year
Denise LaSalle
Irma Thomas
Sharon Jones
Sista Monica Parker

Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year
Bobby Rush
Eugene Hideaway Bridges
Jackie Payne
Mem Shannon
Tad Robinson

Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
Koko Taylor
Ruthie Foster
Sharrie Williams

Traditional Blues Album of the Year
Big George Brock -Live at Seventy Five
Darrell Nulisch -Goin' Back to Dallas
Koko Taylor -Old School
Nappy Brown -Long Time Coming
Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan -On the Jimmy Reed Highway

Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year
Bob Margolin
Hubert Sumlin
Lurrie Bell
Magic Slim
Nappy Brown
Phillip Walker

Past musical recipients of the National Heritage Fellowships include B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Doc Watson and Bill Monroe. This noteworthy list of more than 60 individuals and groups includes representatives of the blues, gospel, bluegrass, Tejano and Cajun fields. Its diversity illustrates BMI's dedication to the roots of American music and the nation's cultural heritage.

BMI's 2006 NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients:

Henry Gray is a widely respected blues pianist from Baton Rouge, La. He played keyboards in the legendary Howlin' Wolf band for 12 years (1956-68) before retuning to his native Louisiana and becoming one of the best known players in the Gulf region. His numerous albums illustrate his notable "swamp-blues" style. photo: Brian Smith

Doyle Lawson of Bristol, Tenn., is one of the most respected bluegrass and gospel performers in the field. He began playing professionally at the age of 11, and joined ensembles led by Jimmy Martin and J.D. Crowe, as well as the Country Gentlemen. In 1979, he founded the band Quicksilver, which has won the coveted Vocal Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association for the last five years.

Mavis Staples has been a powerhouse vocalist in the gospel and r&b fields for nearly 50 years. She formed the Staples Singers along with her siblings and late father Roebuck "Pop" Staples (a 1998 Fellowship recipient). Chart-topping songs such as "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There" on Memphis's Stax Records possess countless fans. In recent years as a solo artist, she has collaborated with Prince, Bob Dylan and Marty Stuart.

Complete list of BMI National Heritage Fellowship recipients:

Francisco Aguabella [1992]
Afro-Cuban drummer
Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Alfonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin [1986]
African-American Creole Accordionist
Eunice, La.

Pedro Ayala [1988]
Mexican-American accordionist
Donna, Texas

Kenny Baker [1993]
Bluegrass fiddler
Cottonwood, Tenn.

Dewey Balfa [1982]
Cajun fiddler
Basile, La.

Eddie Blazonczyk [1998]
Polish-American Musician/Bandleader
Bridgeview, Ill.

Charles Brown [1997]
Blues pianist & composer
Berkeley, Ca.

Chuck Brown [2005]
African-American musical innovator
Brandywine, Md.

Michael Burke [2001]
Irish Fiddler
Portland, Ore.

Liz Carroll [1994]
Irish-American fiddler
Chicago, Ill.

Rapael Cepeda [1983]
Bomba musician/dancer
Santurce, Puerto Rico

Wilson "Boozoo" Chavis [2001]
Credo Zydeco accordionist
Lake Charles, La.

Clifton Chenier [1984]
Creole accordionist
Lafayette, La.

Joseph Cormier [1984]
Cape Bretton accordionist
Waltham, Mass.

Elizabeth Cotton [1984]
African-American songster/songwriter
Syracuse, N.Y.

Luderin Darbon/Edwin Duhon [2002]
Cajun fiddler and accordionist
Sulphur, La./Westlake, La.

Dixie Hummingbirds [2000]
African-American gospel quartet
Philadelphia, Pa.

Michael Doucet [2005]
Cajun fiddler, composer and band leader
Lafayette, La.

Jerry Douglas [2004]
Dobro player
Nashville, Tenn.

David "Honeyboy" Edwards [2002]
Blues guitarist/singer
Chicago, Ill.

Fairfield Four [1989]
African-American acapella gospel singers
Nashville, Tenn.

Canray Fontenot [1986]
African-American creole fiddler
Welsh, La.

Clarence Fountain & the Blind Boys [1994]
African-American gospel singers
Atlanta, Ga.

Johnny Gimble [1994]
Angle western swing fiddler
Dripping Springs, Texas

Henry Gray [2006]
Blues piano player, singer
Baton Rouge, La.

Eduardo "Lalo" Guerrero [1991]
Mexican-American singer/guitarist/composer
Cathedral City, Calif.

Juan Gutierrez [1996]
Puerto Rican drummer
New York, N.Y.

John Lee Hooker [1983]
Blues guitarist/singer
San Carlos, Calif.

John Jackson [1986]
African-American songster/guitarist
Fairfax, Va.

Wanda Jackson [2005]
Early country, rockabilly and gospel singer
Oklahoma City, Okla.

Santiago Jimenez, Jr. [2000]
Tejano accordionist/singer
San Antonio, Texas

Bessie Jones [1982]
Georgia Sea Island singer
Brunswick, Ga.

Raymond Kane [1987]
Hawaiian slack key guitarist/singer
Wai'anae, Hawaii

Ali Akbar Khan [1997]
North Indian sarod player & raga composer
San Anselmo, Calif.

Riley "B.B." King [1991]
African-American bluesman
Itta Bena, Miss./Las Vegas, Nev.

Doyle Lawson [2006]
Gospel and bluegrass singer, arranger, bandleader
Bristol, Tenn.

Robert Jr. Lockwood [1995]
African-American delta blues guitarist
Cleveland, Ohio

Valerio Longoria [1986]
Mexican-American accordionist
San Antonio, Texas

Israel "Cachao" Lopez [1995]
Afro-Cuban bassist/composer/band leader
Miami, Fla.

Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew [1988]
African-American blues pianist/singer
Chicago, Ill.

Wade Mainer [1987]
Appalachian banjo picker/singer
Flint, Mich.

Brownie McGhee [1982]
Blues guitarist
Oakland, Calif.

Jim & Jesse McReynolds [1997]
Bluegrass musicians
Gallatin, Tenn.

D.L. Menard [1994]
Cajun musician/songwriter
Erath, La.

Lydia Mendoza [1983]
Mexican-American singer
Houston, Texas

Bill Monroe [1983]
Nashville, Tenn.

Jack Owens [1993]
Blues singer/guitarist
Betonia, Miss.

Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins [2000]
Blues piano player
La Porte, Ind.

Ola Belle Reed [1986]
Appalachian banjo picker/singer
Rising Sun, Md.

Domingo "Mingo" Saldivar [2002]
Conjunto accordionist
San Antonio, Texas

Earl Scruggs [1989]
Bluegrass banjo player
Madison, Tenn.

Simon Sheheen [1994]
Arab-American oud player
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ralph Stanley [1983]
Appalachian banjo player/singer
Coeburn, Va.

Mavis Staples [2006]
Gospel, rhythm & blues singer
Chicago, Ill.

Roebuck "Pops" Staples [1998]
African-American gospel/blues musician
Dolton, Ill.

Koko Taylor [2004]
Blues musician
Chicago, Ill.

Sanders "Sonny" Terry [1983]
Blues musician
Holliswood, N.Y.

Henry Townsend [1985]
Blues musician/singer
St. Louis, Mo.

Othar Turner [1992]
African-American fife player
Senatobia, Miss.

Albertina Walker [2005]
Gospel singer
Chicago, Ill.

Don Walser [2000]
Western singer/guitarist
Austin, Texas

Arthel "Doc" Watson [1988]
Appalachian guitar player/singer
Deep Gap, N.C.

Claude "The Fiddler" Williams [1998]
African-American jazz/swing fiddler
Kansas City, Mo.

Dewey Williams [1983]
Shape note singer
Ozark, Ala.

Nimrod Workman [1986]
Appalachian ballad singer
Mascot, Tenn./Chattaroy, W.V.]]> 2006-09-11T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234434 Artists, Copeland, Shemekia, Guy, Buddy, Holmes Brothers, The, Hooker, John Lee, King, B.B., Little Milton, Muddy Waters, Sanjek, David, Taylor, Koko, Awards, Industry Awards, Blues Music Awards, Musical Styles, Blues, R&B Blues Foundation and co-sponsored by BMI, the Handy Awards celebrate excellence in the performance and recording of the blues, and is the highest honor bestowed upon artists in the genre.

BMI's Thomas Cain, Handy winner David "Honeyboy" Edwards and BMI's David Sanjek

Leading the list of award-winning BMI songwriters were harmonica virtuoso Charles Musselwhite and legendary R&B singer Mavis Staples, who took home three Handys each. Musselwhite's wins included Best Contemporary Blues Artist, Best Contemporary Blues Album for his release Sanctuary, and Best Blues Harmonica, while Staples earned trophies for Soul Blues Artist, Soul Blues Album and Blues Album of the Year for Have a Little Faith. The album's title track was named Best Blues Song for BMI co-writer Jim Tullio.

BMI's Thomas Cain, Handy winner Paul Oscher and BMI's David Sanjek

In addition to receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, 91-year-old keyboard maestro Pinetop Perkins picked up two awards: Best Traditional Blues Album for his new release Ladies Man and Traditional Blues Artist. Other winners included such legendary BMI blues artists as B.B. King (Blues Entertainer), Koko Taylor (Traditional Blues Artist), Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards (Acoustic Blues Artist) and the Holmes Brothers (Blues Band).

BMI's Thomas Cain, Handy winner Kenny Neal and BMI's David Sanjek

Among the presenters was BMI's Thomas Cain, who along with keyboard player Ann Rabson, handed out several awards and made the following comments about BMI and the blues: "You know BMI has been a friend of the blues for 65 years now, since we opened our doors in 1940. Over 90% of the Blues Hall of Fame inductees are BMI songwriters, and every year at the Handys, virtually every award is won by a BMI writer. We are so proud to have this long-term relationship with such great individuals as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and countless others. We like to think of BMI as the other home of the blues."

BMI's David Sanjek, Handy winner Gary U.S. Bonds and BMI's Thomas Cain

BMI's 2005 Handy Award winners:

Acoustic Blues Album
Kenny Neal & Billy Branch
Double Take

Acoustic Blues Artist
Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards

New Artist Debut
John Lee Hooker Jr.
Blues With A Vengeance

Handy winner Marcia Ball, presenter Ann Rabson, Handy winner Bob Margolin and BMI's Thomas Cain

Blues Album
Mavis Staples
Have A Little Faith

Blues Band
The Holmes Brothers

Blues Bass
Willie Kent

3-time Handy winner Charlie Musselwhite

Blues Drums
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

Blues Entertainer
B.B. King

Blues Guitar
Bob Margolin

Robert Lockwood Jr. performs

Blues Harmonica
Charlie Musselwhite

Blues Horns
Roomful of Blues

Blues Instrumentalist
Robert Randolph

Gary U.S. Bonds performs

Blues Keyboards
Marcia Ball

Blues Song
Jim Tullio
"Have A Little Faith"

Comeback Blues Album
Gary U.S. Bonds
Back in 20

BMI's Thomas Cain, Handy winner Bobby Rush, Gibson Guitars' Henry Juskiewicz and BMI's David Sanjek

Contemporary Blues Album
Charlie Musselwhite
Sanctuary

Contemporary Blues Artist - Male
Charlie Musselwhite

Contemporary Blues Artist - Female
Shemekia Copeland

BMI's Thomas Cain, Handy winner Little Milton and BMI's David Sanjek

Historical Blues Album
Hound Dog Taylor
Release the Hound

Soul Blues Album
Mavis Staples
Have A Little Faith

Soul Blues Artist - Female
Mavis Staples

BMI's David Sanjek and Thomas Cain, Alligator Records' Bruce Iglauer and attorney Howell Beagle

Soul Blues Artist - Male
Bobby Rush

Traditional Blues Album
Pinetop Perkins
Ladies Man

Traditional Blues Artist - Female
Koko Taylor

Traditional Blues Artist - Male
Pinetop Perkins

BMI's David Sanjek, Handy winner Charlie Musselwhite and BMI's Thomas Cain

BMI's David Sanjek, Handy winner Pinetop Perkins and BMI's Thomas Cain

Photos by Don Putnam]]> 2005-05-10T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/234415 Artists, Clapton, Eric, Guy, Buddy, King, B.B., Muddy Waters, Taylor, Koko, Musical Styles, Blues, Rock, Musicworld, Feature "I was ignored, but I didn't quit," Buddy Guy told the Washington Post last year, recalling the career lull that preceded his 1991 comeback album Damn Right, I've Got the Blues . "I kept playing even when I wasn't making a nickel, because I love what I'm doing."

One of the few living blues icons, and the strongest surviving link to the golden era of Chicago electric blues, the seminal guitarist — and 2005 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee — continues to reap the dividends of a remarkable career renaissance. For the past decade and a half, the five-time Grammy winner has achieved late-blooming mainstream stardom, thanks to the same incendiary guitar work that made him a cult legend decades ago.

Born George Guy in rural Lettsworth, Louisiana on July 30, 1936, Buddy moved to Chicago in 1957, and eventually established himself as a force on the thriving local music scene. He built his reputation playing on sessions for the fabled Chess label, backing up such artists as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Koko Taylor, while stepping out front on such now-classic singles as "First Time I Met the Blues" and "Broken Hearted Blues."

Guy's fiery, self-taught guitar work proved inspirational to such budding axemen as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, all of whom have enthusiastically sung his praises in the years since. Guy also earned a reputation for his flamboyant onstage showmanship, which he continued to hone through a long-running collaboration with harmonica player Junior Wells.

But Guy's recording career eventually drifted into rocky waters. He hadn't had a domestic album release in nearly a decade when he signed with the Silvertone label and released Damn Right, I've Got the Blues . The album — which featured guest appearances from by Beck, Clapton and Mark Knopfler — introduced Guy to an enthusiastic new audience, and eventually earned a Grammy as Best Contemporary Blues Album.

The commercially savvy crossover sound of Damn Right, I've Got the Blues and its followups Feels Like Rain and Heavy Love gave way to a more primitive, rural approach on 2001's acclaimed Sweet Tea , which was followed by 2003's stripped-down Blues Singer , which emphasized Guy's vocals and acoustic picking.

While those projects exposed lesser-known aspects of Guy's talents, the landmark Damn Right, I've Got the Blues continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the artist and his fans. That's evident from Silvertone's March release of a newly expanded edition of the album, which augments the original disc with a pair of U.K. b-sides. Silvertone has also released an exclusive "digital box set" — dubbed Best of the Silvertone Years 1991-2005 and featuring a trio of previously unreleased tracks — through iTunes' online download service.

The release of the retooled Damn Right, I've Got the Blues coincides with Guy's recent election to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, for which he was inducted by his contemporary B.B. King and his acolyte Eric Clapton. Despite that honor, Guy isn't coasting on his reputation. The 68-year-old artist maintains a busy touring schedule and still delivers decidedly high-energy live shows . He also continues to run his Chicago nightclub, Buddy Guy's Legends, and is currently working on a new album with producer/musician Steve Jordan.

Holmes Brothers	Paul Oscher	Charlie Musselwhite

BMI writers continued their domination in the blues field, once again garnering every nomination in seven of the 25 categories, including Blues Entertainer of the Year, Blues Band of the Year and Contemporary Artist of the Year, both male and female.

The Holmes Brothers' six nods include Band of the Year, Blues Album and Contemporary Blues Album for their Simple Truths, as well as three individual nominations for members Wendall Holmes (Song of the Year for "Run Myself Out of Town"), Sherman Holmes (Best Instrumentalist-Bass) and Popsy Dixon (Best Instrumentalist-Drums).

Pinetop Perkins	Kim Wilson	Muddy Waters

Other multiple nominees include harp player Paul Oscher, who received four mentions, among them Acoustic Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for "Alone With the Blues." Perennial favorites W.C. Clark, James Harman, Charlie Musselwhite, Pinetop Perkins, Rod Piazza, Bobby Rush and Kim Wilson each earned three, while double nominations went to Corey Harris, Paul Rishell & Annie Raines, EG Knight and Muddy Waters, who will compete against himself in the Historical Blues Album category.

Named after the "Father of the Blues," the 2005 W.C. Handy Blues Awards will take place on Thursday, May 5 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. The awards ceremony is the traditional opener to the Handy Weekend, a series of events for blues musicians, industry members, and fans alike. Events include the Blues Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a Blues Symposium with workshops, the Handy Awards Music Festival, a blues film fest and the Handy Awards Children's Festival.

BMI's 2005 Handy Awards nominees:

Acoustic Blues Album of the Year
Paul Oscher
Alone With The Blues
Billy Branch
Double Take
Corey Harris
Mississippi To Mali
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines
Goin' Home
Carey & Lurrie Bell
Second Nature

Acoustic Blues-Artist of the Year
Paul Oscher
Corey Harris
David "Honeyboy" Edwards
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines

Blues Album of the Year
W.C. Clark
Deep In The Heart
The Holmes Brothers
Simple Truths
Guitar Shorty
Watch Your Back
Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers
Keepin' It Real

Blues Band of the Year
Little Charlie & The Nightcats
Smokin' Joe Kubek Band
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers
Magic Slim & The Teardrops
Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets
The Holmes Brothers

Blues Entertainer of the Year
Bobby Rush
Kim Wilson
B.B. King
Pinetop Perkins
Solomon Burke

Blues Song of the Year
"Alone With The Blues"
Written and performed by Paul Oscher
"Run Myself Out Of Town"
Written by Wendell Holmes, performed by The Holmes Brothers
"Piecework Politicians"
Written and performed by James Harman
"Nothin' Ever Hurt Me"
Written and performed by EG Kight

Comeback Blues Album of the Year
Gary U.S. Bonds
Back In 20

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
Charlie Musselwhite
Sanctuary
The Holmes Brothers
Simple Truths
Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters
Now My Soul
Guitar Shorty
Watch Your Back

Contemporary Blues-Female Artist of the Year
Janiva Magness
Marcia Ball
Shemekia Copeland
EG Kight
Deborah Coleman

Contemporary Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Kim Wilson
Chris Thomas King
Charlie Musselwhite
James Harman
Robert Randolph

Historical Blues Album of the Year
Hound Dog Taylor
Release The Hound (Alligator Records)
Charles Brown
A Life In The Blues (Rounder Records)
Muddy Waters
Hard Again (Epic/Legacy)
Johnny Winter
Second Winter (Columbia/Legacy)
Muddy Waters
I'm Ready (Epic/Legacy)

Instrumentalist-Bass
Willie Kent
Bill Stuve
Sherman Holmes

Instrumentalist-Drums
Popsy Dixon
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

Instrumentalist-Guitar
Ronnie Earl
Duke Robillard
Bob Margolin
Roy Rogers

Instrumentalist-Harmonica
Kim Wilson
Charlie Musselwhite
Rod Piazza
James Harman
Paul Oscher

Instrumentalist-Horns
Calvin Owens - Trumpet
Mark Kazanoff - Saxophone
Roomful of Blues - Horns
Greg Piccolo - Saxophone
Sax Gordon - Saxophone

Instrumentalist-Keyboards
Honey Piazza
Dave Maxwell
Marcia Ball
Jon Cleary

Instrumentalist-Other
Robert Randolph - Pedal Steel Guitar
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Fiddle
Otis Taylor - Banjo

Soul/Blues Album of the Year
Bobby Rush
Folk Funk
W.C. Clark
Deep In The Heart

Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year
Etta James
Barbara Lynn

Soul/Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Bobby Rush
Little Milton
Solomon Burke
W.C. Clark

Traditional Blues Album of the Year
Jody Williams
You Left Me In The Dark
Duke Robillard
Blue Mood: The Songs Of T-Bone Walker
Pinetop Perkins
Ladies Man
Sam Myers
Coming From The Old School

Traditional Blues-Female Artist of the Year
Ruth Brown
Koko Taylor

Traditional Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Robert Lockwood Jr.
Jody Williams
Sam Myers
Pinetop Perkins

Buddy Guy	B.B. King	Etta James

Leading the list of BMI winners was legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy, who took home three trophies including Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year. His latest release, Blues Singer, won Blues Album of the Year and Acoustic Blues Album. Other multiple winners were singer/pianist Marcia Ball, soul singer Etta James, and jump blues/swing band Roomful of Blues with two awards each. World-renowned BMI artist B.B. King repeated as Blues Entertainer of the Year.

Marcia Ball	Bo Diddley	Slim Harpo

For the past 25 years, the Handy Awards have celebrated excellence in performance and recording of the blues and is the highest honor bestowed upon artists in the blues industry. The United States Senate passed a resolution last year declaring 2003 "The Year of the Blues" in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of when W. C. Handy first heard the blues in a train depot in Mississippi. Named for the "Father of the Blues," the W.C. Handy Blues Awards are produced by the Memphis-based Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization established to "preserve, celebrate and support" the blues. BMI is a long-time supporter of the Blues Foundation.

Roomful of Blues

The awards ceremony is the traditional opener to the Handy Weekend, a series of events for blues musicians, industry members, and fans. Handy Weekend events include a Blues Symposium with workshops, the Handy Awards Music Festival, a blues film fest, the Handy Awards Children's Festival and the annual induction of the Blues Hall of Fame. This year's inductees included BMI Icon Bo Diddley, harp master Slim Harpo and Chicago bluesman Jimmy Reed. To date, 96% of the performers in the Blues Hall of Fame are BMI songwriters.

BMI's 2004 W.C. Handy Blues Awards Winners:

Buddy Guy
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year
Blues Album of the Year: Blues Singer
Acoustic Blues Album of the Year: Blues Singer

Marcia Ball
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year: So Many Rivers

Etta James
Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year
Soul Blues Album of the Year: Let's Roll

Roomful of Blues
Blues Band of the Year
Blues Instrumentalist, Horns

B.B. King
Blues Entertainer of the Year

Nick Curran
Best New Artist

Pinetop Perkins
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year

Koko Taylor
Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year

Solomon Burke
Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year

John Hammond
Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year

Duke Robillard
Blues Instrumentalist, Guitar

Dr. John
Blues Instrumentalist, Keyboards

Charlie Musselwhite
Blues Instrumentalist, Harmonica

Willie Kent
Blues Instrumentalist, Bass:

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Blues Instrumentalist, Drums

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Blues Instrumentalist, Other (Fiddle)

Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets
Traditional Blues Album of the Year: Which Way Is Texas?

Muddy Waters
Historical Blues Album of the Year: Muddy 'Mississippi' Waters Live

Kim Wilson and Amanda Taylor
Blues Song of the Year: "Looking For Trouble"

BMI once again swept many of the top categories including all nominations in the Entertainer of the Year, Band of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, Blues Album of the Year and both the Guitar and Horns Instrumentalist categories.

For over two decades, the Handy Awards have celebrated excellence in performance and recording of the Blues and is the highest honor bestowed upon artists in the Blues industry. A panel of international Blues industry experts votes on the initial nominees and 30,000 Blues fans then choose the winners.

Named in honor of W.C. Handy, "Father of the Blues", the awards ceremony traditionally opens the Handy Weekend. Celebrations include the Blues Symposium with workshops, a Children’s Festival, the Handy Awards Festival with Blues bands performing in the clubs along Beale Street, and a Handy Artists Relief Trust Benefit Concert.

BMI Handy Award Nominees

Blues Entertainer of the Year
B. B. King
Ike Turner
Bobby Rush
Rod Piazza
Shemekia Copeland
Marcia Ball

Blues Band of the Year
Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets w/ Sam Myers
The Holmes Brothers
Magic Slim & The Teardrops
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers
Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials

Contemporary Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Buddy Guy
Kid Ramos
Larry Garner
Kim Wilson
Rod Piazza

Contemporary Blues-Female Artist of the Year
Debbie Davies
Deborah Coleman
Marcia Ball
Shemekia Copeland

Soul/Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Ike Turner
Bobby Rush
Little Milton Campbell

Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year
E.C. Scott
Etta James
Irma Thomas

Traditional Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Henry Jackson
Magic Slim
R.L. Burnside
Robert Lockwood, Jr.

Traditional Blues-Female Artist of the Year
Ann Rabson
Koko Taylor

Acoustic Blues- Artist of the Year
Honeyboy Edwards
John Hammond
Keb' Mo'

Best New Artist Debut
Otis Taylor - White African
Rico McFarland - Tired of Being Alone

Blues Instrumentalist-Guitar
Buddy Guy
Duke Robillard
Kid Ramos
Ronnie Earl
Jimmy Vaughan

Blues Instrumentalist-Harmonica
Kim Wilson
Charlie Musselwhite
Rod Piazza
Snooky Pryor

Blues Instrumentalists-Keyboards
Dr. John
Honey Piazza
Marcia Ball
Pinetop Perkins
Henry Gray

Blues Instrumentalists-Bass
Bill Stuve
Willie Kent
Johnny B. Gayden
Larry Taylor

Blues Instrumentalists-Horns
Roomful of Blues Horns
Memphis Horns
Sax Gordon Beadle
Eddie Shaw
Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff

Blues Instrumentalists-Other
Boozoo Chavis - Accordion
Buckwheat Zydeco - Accordion
Claude "Fiddler" Williams - Fiddle

Comeback Blues Album of the Year
Henry Gray - Plays Chicago Blues
Ike Turner - Here and Now

Acoustic Blues Album of the Year
Honeyboy Edwards - Mississippi Delta Blues Man
John Hammond - Wicked Grin
Otis Taylor - White African

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
Buddy Guy - Sweet Tea
The Holmes Brothers - Speaking in Tongues
Jimmy Vaughan - Do You Get the Blues
Kim Wilson - Smokin' Joint
Marcia Ball - Presumed Innocent

Soul/Blues Album of the Year
Ike Turner - Here and Now
Little Milton - Feel It
Terry Evans - Mississippi Magic

Traditional Blues Album Of the Year
Billy Boy Arnold - Boogie N Shuffle
Henry Gray - Plays Chicago Blues
Kid Ramos - Greasy Kid Stuff
R.L. Burnside - Burnside on Burnside

Blues Album Of The Year
John Hammond - Wicked Grin
Kid Ramos - Greasy Kid Stuff
Kim Wilson - Smokin' Joint
Marcia Ball - Presumed Innocent
Otis Taylor - White African

Historical Blues Album Of The Year
Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' and the Blues: The Herald Session
Magic Sam - The Essential Magic Sam: Cobra & Chief Recordings
Muddy Waters - Fathers and Sons

Blues Song of the Year
"Charlie's Old Highway 51 Blues" written by Charlie Musselwhite (from Kid Ramos/Greasy Kid Stuff)
"Gratitude Is Riches (And Complaint Is Poverty)" written by James Harman (from Kid Ramos/Greasy Kid Stuff)
"My Soul's in Louisiana" written by Otis Taylor (from Otis Taylor/White African)
"S.U.V." written by Mem Shannon (from Mem Shannon/Memphis in the Morning)

BMI proudly claims 96% of the award winners this year; to date, 94% of the Blues Hall of Fame individuals are BMI affiliates.

Shemekia Copeland

The Handy Awards, presented by the Blues Foundations, were co-sponsored by BMI. For over two decades, the Handy Awards -- named in honor of W.C. Handy, "Father of the Blues" -- have celebrated excellence in performance and recording of the Blues and is the highest honor bestowed upon artists in the Blues industry. A panel of international Blues industry experts votes on the initial nominees and 30,000 Blues fans then chose the winners.

BMI Handy Award Winners

Blues Song of the Year
"It's 2AM," Rick Vito

Blues Entertainer of the Year
B. B. King

Blues Band of the Year
Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band

Contemporary Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Eddy Clearwater

Contemporary Blues- Female Artist of the Year
Shemekia Copeland

Soul/Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Little Milton

Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year
Etta James

Traditional Blues-Female Artist of the Year
Koko Taylor

Acoustic Blues- Artist of the Year
Keb' Mo'

Blues Instrumentalist-Guitar
Duke Robillard

Blues Instrumentalist-Harmonica
Charlie Musselwhite

Blues Instrumentalists-Keyboards
Pinetop Perkins

Blues Instrumentalists-Bass
Willie Kent

Blues Instrumentalists-Drums
Chris Layton - Double Trouble

Blues Instrumentalists - Horns
Roomful of Blues

Blues Instrumentalists-Other
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Fiddle

Comeback Blues Album
Mel Brown - Neck Bones & Caviar

Acoustic Blues Album of the Year
Robert Lockwood, Jr. - Delta Crossroads

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
B.B. King/Eric Clapton - Riding with the King

Soul/Blues Album of the Year
Irma Thomas - My Heart's In Memphis

Traditional Blues Album Of the Year
Son Seals - Letting Go

Blues Album Of The Year
Shemekia Copeland - Wicked
 
Historical Album Of The Year
Otis Spann - Last Call

BMI once again swept many of the categories including Blues Entertainer of the Year with Taj Mahal, Bobby Rush, Little Milton, B.B. King, Rod Piazza and Shemekia Copeland, and Blues Instrumentalist/Guitar with Carl Weathersby, Duke Robillard, Kid Ramos, Ronnie Earl and Roy Gaines.

For over two decades, the Handy Awards have celebrated excellence in performance and recording of the Blues and is the highest honor bestowed upon artists in the Blues industry. A panel of international Blues industry experts votes on the initial nominees and 30,000 Blues fans then choose the winners.

Named in honor of W.C. Handy, "Father of the Blues," the awards ceremony traditionally opens the Handy Weekend. Celebrations include the Blues Symposium with workshops, panel discussions; and the Handy Awards Festival with Blues bands performing in the clubs along Beale Street and a BluesAid Concert. For the latest information on the Handy Awards and Handy Weekend visit www.handyawards.com or www.blues.org.

BMI Handy Award Nominees:

Blues Entertainer of the Year
B. B. King
Bobby Rush
Little Milton
Rod Piazza
Shemekia Copeland
Taj Mahal

Blues Band of the Year
Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets w/ Sam Myers
B. B. King Band
Johnnie Bassett & The Blues Insurgents
Magic Slim & The Teardrops
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers
Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band

Contemporary Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Carl Weathersby
Eddy Clearwater
Larry Garner
Roy Gaines

Contemporary Blues- Female Artist of the Year
Debbie Davies
Deborah Coleman
Marcia Ball
Shemekia Copeland
Susan Tedeschi

Soul/Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Bobby Bland
Bobby Rush
Johnnie Taylor
Little Milton

Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year
E.C. Scott
Etta James
Irma Thomas
Trudy Lynn

Traditional Blues-Male Artist of the Year
Big Jack Johnson
Magic Slim
R.L. Burnside
Robert Lockwood, Jr.
Snooky Pryor

Traditional Blues-Female Artist of the Year
Ann Rabson
Koko Taylor
Ruth Brown

Acoustic Blues- Artist of the Year
Guy Davis
Keb' Mo'

Best New Artist Debut
Beverly Watkins - Back in Business
Sean Costello - Cuttin' In

Blues Instrumentalist-Guitar
Carl Weathersby
Duke Robillard
Kid Ramos
Ronnie Earl
Roy Gaines

Blues Instrumentalist-Harmonica
Carey Bell
Charlie Musselwhite
Rod Piazza
Snooky Pryor

Blues Instrumentalists-Keyboards
Dave Maxwell
Honey Piazza
Marcia Ball
Pinetop Perkins

Blues Instrumentalists-Bass
Bill Stuve
Willie Kent

Blues Instrumentalists-Drums
Chris Layton - Double Trouble

Blues Instrumentalists-Horns
Memphis Horns
Sax Gordon Beadle

Blues Instrumentalists-Other
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Fiddle
Claude "Fiddler" Williams - Fiddle

Comeback Blues Album
Don Covay - Adlib
Little Arthur Duncan - Singin' with the Sun
Mel Brown - Neck Bones & Caviar
Rosco Gordon - Memphis, Tennessee

Acoustic Blues Album of the Year
Eric Bibb - Home to Me
Guy Davis - Butt Naked Free
Robert Lockwood, Jr. - Delta Crossroads

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
B.B. King/Eric Clapton - Riding with the King
Eddy Clearwater - Reservation Blues
Kid Ramos - West Coast house Party
R.L. Burnside - Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down
Shemekia Copeland - Wicked

Soul/Blues Album of the Year
Bobby Rush - Hoochie Man
Darrell Nulisch - I Like It That Way
E. C. Scott - Masterpiece
Irma Thomas - My Heart's In Memphis

Traditional Blues Album Of the Year
Big Jack Johnson - Roots Stew
Magic Slim - Snakebite
Snooky Pryor/Mel Brown - Double Shot
Son Seals - Letting Go
Willie Cobbs - Jukin'

Blues Album Of The Year
Big Jack Johnson - Roots Stew
Eddy Clearwater - Reservation Blues
Shemekia Copeland - Wicked
Son Seals - Lettin Go

Historical Album Of The Year
James Harman - Mo' Na'kins, Please
William Clarke - Tip Of The Top
Otis Spann - Last Call

Blues Song of the Year
"Waiting on the Cards to Fall," Guy Davis
"So Long Frank Frost," Big Jack Johnson
"Winds of Change," Karen Leipziger, Roger Fleming
"Pennies and Picks," James Armstrong, R. Lily, M. Heaney
"It's 2AM," R. Vito