Shown are (l to r): BMI's Malik Levy and Charlie Feldman, son Cheaa Mayfield, Altheida Mayfield, BMI's Phil Graham and son Kirk Mayfield, with BMI's Catherine Brewton, David Claassen and Nicole Plantin.

Founded in 1985, Hollywood's RockWalk at the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard is the only sidewalk gallery dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of rock and roll, blues and r&b. The handprints and signatures of inductees will reside in bronze alongside other equally accomplished musicians and innovators including Isaac Hayes, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Brian Wilson, Aerosmith, Herbie Hancock, Elvis Presley, Queen, the Black Crowes, Dick Clark, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, KISS, Les Paul, John Lee Hooker and Smokey Robinson.

Altheida Mayfield, flanked by sons Cheaa (left) and Kirk (right), praises her late husband's achievements.

Photos by Marlene Meraz

Founded in 1985, Hollywood's RockWalk on Sunset Boulevard is the only sidewalk gallery dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of rock and roll, blues and r&b. Their handprints and signatures will reside alongside other equally accomplished musicians and innovators including Isaac Hayes, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Brian Wilson, Aerosmith, Herbie Hancock, Elvis Presley, Queen, the Black Crowes, Dick Clark, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, KISS, Les Paul, John Lee Hooker, Smokey Robinson and others.

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

The President and Mrs. Bush stand in the Oval Office with the recipients of the 2006 National Medal of Arts. Pictured from left are: Ben Jaffe and his mother Sandra Jaffe, director and co-founder of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; literary translator Gregory Rabassa; dancer Cyd Charisse; photographer Roy DeCarava; industrial designer Viktor Schreckengost; musician Ralph Stanley; arts patron Billie Holladay; composer William Bolcom; Interlochen Center for the Arts CEO Jeffrey Kimpton; and NEA Chairman Dana Goia. photo by Paul Morse

William Bolcom, winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize in Music, is known for his eclectic music that pulsates with vernacular from ragtime to reggae. His most celebrated works include the opera A View from the Bridge and his massive setting of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience. The composer/pianist and his collaborator and wife, Joan Morris, have recorded 20 albums together, specializing in show tunes, cabaret and popular songs from the early 20th-century. A 1953 BMI Student Composer Award winner, Bolcom has also received two Guggenheims, four Rockefeller Foundation awards, and four NEA fellowships. Since the fall of 1994, he has held the title of Ross Lee Finney Distinguished University Professor of Composition at the University of Michigan; he joined the faculty in 1973.

William Bolcom	Ralph Stanley

With a career that spans six decades as a recording and performing artist, multiple Grammy and IBMA Award-winning bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley was born in 1927 in the Clinch Mountains of Virginia, which inspired much of his music. He and his brother Carter formed the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946, quickly gaining a following due to their broadcasts on WCYB in Bristol, Va. In addition to his son, Ralph II, many contemporary bluegrass artists came up through the Clinch Mountain Boys band, including Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Larry Sparks and Charlie Sizemore. The Grand Ole Opry member performed on the multi-platinum soundtrack for the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the surprise Album of the Year winner at the 2002 Grammy Awards ceremony.

Administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Medal of Arts has been issued to over 200 individuals since its inception in 1984. Among the distinguished BMI recipients are blues giants B.B. King and Buddy Guy, country legends George Jones, Dolly Parton, Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff, jazz masters Dave Brubeck, Paquito D'Rivera and Betty Carter, concert composer Elliott Carter, and soul artist Ray Charles.

Shown after the performance are BMI's Mike O'Neill, NAB President & CEO David Rehr, BMI songwriter Steve Cropper; BMI's Del Bryant, and NAB Vice President John David.

As a founding member of the legendary Booker T and the MG's, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Steve Cropper was involved in virtually every record issued by the seminal Stax recording label from 1961 until 1970. His songwriting credits include the classics "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "Knock on Wood" and "In the Midnight Hour." As a member of the original incarnation of the Blues Brothers, he recorded three albums with them, including the No. 1 Briefcase Full of Blues. Over the past 20 years. Cropper has continued to be an in-demand musician and producer, and his talents are showcased on CDs by Elton John, Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, Steppenwolf and Johnny Lang.]]> 2006-10-05T05:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334889 Artists, Black Crowes, The, Burnett, T-Bone, Guy, Buddy, Hancock, Herbie, Hayes, Isaac, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Hooker, John Lee, Jennings, Waylon, Kristofferson, Kris, Musical Styles, Country Kris Kristofferson and the late Waylon Jennings into the Hollywood RockWalk in Los Angeles. BMI country singer/songwriter Jessi Colter, Jennings' wife, accepted the posthumous induction in his honor.

Shown at the induction ceremony are Waylon Jennings' wife Jessi Colter, BMI's Barbara Cane, RockWalk inductee Kris Kristofferson, BMI's Tracie Verlinde, BMI songwriter/producer T-Bone Burnett and BMI's Joe Maggini.

The ceremony included an endearing speech by celebrated BMI singer/songwriter T-Bone Burnett about his long-time friends and colleagues, Kristofferson and Jennings. Kristofferson, one of country music's most influential songwriters, is best known for hits like "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down." Jennings' musical legacy is a staple in American country music, with credits that include the hit "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." Jennings died in 2002 in his home in Chandler, Ariz.

Founded in 1985, Hollywood's RockWalk is a sidewalk gallery on Sunset Boulevard that pays homage to those musicians and innovators who have made a significant and lasting impact on rock 'n roll, including such creatively diverse individuals and groups as Isaac Hayes, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Aerosmith, Herbie Hancock, Queen, The Black Crowes, Dick Clark, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, KISS, Les Paul, John Lee Hooker and Smokey Robinson.]]> 2006-07-09T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334816 Ball, Marcia, Benoit, Tab, Brown, Clarence "Gatemouth", Cropper, Steve, Doggett, Bill, Guy, Buddy, Hooker, John Lee, James, Etta, King, B.B., Little Milton, Magness, Janiva, Milton, Roy, Muddy Waters, Musselwhite, Charlie, Oscher, Paul, Robinson, Bobby, Rush, Bobby, Sanjek, David, Shaw, Eddie, Thornton, Big Mama, Wexler, Jerry, Wilson, Kim, Blues, Blues Music Awards Blues Music Awards, held May 11 in Memphis. Presented by the Blues Foundation and co-sponsored by BMI, the Blues Music Awards, formerly known as the W.C. Handy Awards, celebrate excellence in the performance and recording of the blues, and is the highest honor bestowed upon artists in the genre.

Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Robinson is congratulated by BMI's David Sanjek

This year's ceremony featured a tribute to the late and beloved Little Milton Campbell, who received four posthumous awards: Album of the Year, Soul Blues Album of the Year, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for the title track of his last recording, Think of Me. His widow, Pat Campbell, truly touched the audience as she accepted her husband's awards.

BMI's David Sanjek joins BMI songwriter Steve Cropper at the awards ceremony

Time-tested musician Paul Oscher, who played harmonica alongside Muddy Waters in the 1960s, picked up two awards and was named Acoustic Artist of the Year, while his Down in the Delta earned the Acoustic Album of the Year nod.

Blues Hall of Fame inductee Joe Bihari and BMI's David Sanjek

First-time honors went to saxophonist Eddie Shaw and legendary songwriter and sideman Al Kooper. The B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award was awarded to Buddy Guy.

The 2006 inductions into the Blues Hall of Fame were also presented on May 11, with a full slate of individuals, albums, books and songs chosen for the prestigious honor. This year's inductees included many BMI songwriters in the blues community: performers Bobby Rush and Roy Milton; producers Bobby Robinson, the Bihari Brothers and Jerry Wexler; vocalists Etta James and Big Mama Thornton; and instrumentalist Bill Doggett.

A highlight of the ceremony was the appearance of legendary music business entrepreneurs Bobby Robinson and Joe Bihari. Robinson, now in his 80s, still runs a record store on Harlem's 125th Street and manages a number of labels, including the Fire and Fury imprints. He was instrumental in such releases as Elmore James's "The Sky is Crying" and Wilber Harrison's "Kansas City." The Bihari Brothers - Joe, Jules, Lester and Saul - ran the California-based Modern label, whose illustrious roster included B.B. King, Etta James, John Lee Hooker, Ike Turner and many others.

BMI's 2006 Blues Music Award winners:

Acoustic Album of the Year
Paul Oscher
Down in the Delta

Acoustic Artist of the Year
Paul Oscher

Album of the Year
Little Milton
Think of Me

B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
Buddy Guy

Band of the Year
Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
Tab Benoit
Fever for the Bayou

Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year
Janiva Magness

Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year
Kim Wilson

Historical Album of the Year
Muddy Waters
Hoochie Coochie Man: Complete Chess Recordings, Volume 2,
1952-1958

Instrumentalist - Drums
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

Instrumentalist - Harmonica
Charlie Musselwhite

Instrumentalist - Horn
Eddie Shaw

Instrumentalist - Other
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year
Marcia Ball

Song of the Year
"Think of Me"
Jon Tiven, Milton Campbell, Pete Shoulder

Soul Blues Album of the Year
Little Milton
Think of Me

Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year
Little Milton

Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
Etta James

Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year
B.B. King

BMI's 2006 Hall of Fame inductees:

Performer
Bobby Rush
Roy Milton

Non-Performer
Bobby Robinson
Jerry Wexler
Joe, Jules, Lester and Saul Bihari

Classics of Blues Recordings - Albums
Etta James
Tell Mama (Cadet)

Classics of Blues Recordings - Singles
Big Mama Thornton
"Hound Dog" (Peacock)
Bill Doggett
"Honky Tonk, Parts 1 & 2" (King)

Mariah Carey	Kanye West	John Legend

Mariah Carey's multi-platinum comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, and its smash single "We Belong Together," helped the pop singer score three of the most coveted Grammy nominations: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The hit ballad also picked up mentions for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while Mimi added Best Contemporary R&B Album to Carey's haul.

Presenters for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards nominations included BMI songwriter/artists John Legend, CeCe Winans, Mariah Carey, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Patti LaBelle. Photo by S. Lovekin/WireImage

Rapper Kanye West continued his red hot streak, also earning nominations in the Album and Record of the Year categories with his sophomore release Late Registration and the hit "Gold Digger," respectively. He will compete against himself for the Album of the Year title as a producer on Carey's disc. As a songwriter, West will battle for the Best Rap Song crown with his "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," as well as Best R&B Song as a co-writer on the Alicia Keys track "Unbreakable."

Black Eyed Peas	Brooks & Dunn

Soul singer John Legend is up for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album for his debut Get Lifted, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Song of the Year for "Ordinary People," which he also co-wrote. Legend joins his mentor Kanye West and rapper Common on the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ticket with "They Say."

Casting Crowns	Common

Coming in with six nominations was Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas who, as a songwriter, has a shot at Song of the Year and Best R&B Song as co-writer of Legend's "Ordinary People" and Best Rap Song for the Peas' hit "Don't Phunk with My Heart." The band is also up for Best Rap and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Death Cab for Cutie	Foo Fighters

In addition to Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Common earned three other mentions, including Best Rap Album for Be. Four nods also went to Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Billy Childs and BMI producer/songwriters the Neptunes, who have production credits on two Album of the Year nominees -- Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi and Gwen Stefani's Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

The Game	Gorillaz	John Williams

Earning three nominations apiece were Sheryl Crow, with Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Good is Good"), Best Pop Vocal Album (Wildflower) and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the single "Building Bridges," featuring Brooks & Dunn and Vince Gill; Eminem (Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Album); and film composer John Williams, up for Best Score for Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, as well as for Best Instrumental Composition for both "Anakin's Betrayal" (from Revenge of the Sith) and "The Ferry Scene" (from the War of the Worlds soundtrack).

Maroon 5	Norah Jones	Sheryl Crow

Double nominees included rappers The Game and T.I., songwriter Marcus Hummon, singer Norah Jones and gospel diva CeCe Winans.

Other BMI songwriters and artists collecting Grammy nominations were Christina Aguilera, Dallas Austin, Casting Crowns, Eric Clapton (PRS), Death Cab for Cutie, Paquito D'Rivera, Danny Elfman, Fall Out Boy, Osvaldo Golijov, Dave Holland Big Band, Intocable, Keane (PRS), Maroon 5, Sugarland, Ying Yang Twins, and BMI Icons Charlie Daniels and Brian Wilson.

Sugarland		T.I.

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on February 8.

BMI's 2006 Grammy Award Nominees:

8 NOMINATIONS
Mariah Carey
John Legend
Kanye West

6 NOMINATIONS
William Adams

4 NOMINATIONS
Billy Childs
Common
Foo Fighters
Gorillaz (PRS)
The Neptunes

3 NOMINATIONS
Yolanda Adams
The Black Eyed Peas
Sheryl Crow
De La Soul
Eminem
Herbie Hancock
Faith Hill
Alison Krauss & Union Station
John Williams

2 NOMINATIONS
Bobby Boyd
Brooks & Dunn
Andrew Coleman
Andrew Dawson
Dixie Chicks
The Game
Michael Giacchino
Jeff Hanna
Marcus Hummon
Norah Jones
Delbert McClinton
Donnie McClurkin
Joel Moss
Willie Nelson
Al Schmitt
Fat Man Scoop
T.I.
The White Stripes
CeCe Winans

MORE NOMINEES
Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with Arturo O'Farrill
Christina Aguilera
Trey Anastasio
Audio Adrenaline
Audioslave
John August
Dallas Austin
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Marcia Ball
Ray Barretto
Steve Berkowitz
Big & Rich
Terence Blanchard
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
Blue Highway
Printz Board
William Bolcom
Peter Boyer
Solomon Burke
Burning Spear (PRS)
Sam Bush
Gary Calamar
Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels Orishas (SACEM)
Kurt Carr
Casting Crowns
Christopher Cerf
Steven Curtis Chapman
Cherryholmes
The Chieftains (IMRO)
Willy Chirino
Eric Clapton (PRS)
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Conjunto Progreso
Ry Cooder
Stewart Copeland
The Crabb Family
Robert Cray
Bill Cunliffe
Rivers Cuomo
Daft Punk (PRS)
Charlie Daniels
Day of Fire
Death Cab for Cutie
Deep Dish
Mos Def
Jack De Johnette
The Del McCoury Band
Ani DiFranco
Jerry Douglas
Dave Douglas
Paquito D'Rivera
John Du Prez (PRS)
Jerry Duplessis
Nokie Edwards
Danny Elfman
Ahmet Ertegun
Bill Evans
Fall Out Boy
Sammy Figueroa
Béla Fleck
Floetry
David Foster
Jamie Foxx
Aretha Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Carlos Franzetti
Larry Gatlin
Joachim Garraud (SACEM)
Gilberto Gil
Vince Gill
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Osvaldo Golijov
The Grascals
Grits
Buddy Guy
Merle Haggard
John Hammond
Raiatea Helm
Dave Holland Big Band
Israel Houghton
Van Hunt
Eric Idle (PRS)
Intocable
Jamiroquai (PRS)
Jars of Clay
The Jazz Chamber Trio
Rodney Jerkins
Eric Johnson
George Jones
The Jordanaires
Ledward Ka'apana
Keane (PRS)
John P. Kee
Garison Keillor
Toby Keith
R. Kelly
B.B. King
Kitaro
Kraftwerk (GEMA)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (SAMRO)
Las 3 Divas
La Secta Allstar
The Last Poets
La Tropa F
Donald Lawrence
Ricky Lewis
The Light Crust Doughboys
Lil Wayne
Harold Lily
Aaron Lindsey
Linkin Park
Little Joe
Los Lonely Boys
Los Pleneros de la 21
Andre Lyon
Maroon 5
Joeworn Martin
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Vicky McGehee
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN)
Meat Beat Manifesto
Pat Metheny Group
Luis Miguel
Mingus Big Band
Ministry
Keb Mo
Molotov
Rick Moranis (SOCAN)
Mudvayne
Martha Munizzi
Walter Murphy
Meshell Ndegeocello
North Mississippi Allstars
The Oak Ridge Boys
Claus Ogerman (GEMA)
Walter Ostanek (SOCAN)
George Pajon, Jr.
Eddie Palmieri
John Prine
Queens of the Stone Age
Rascal Flatts
Joshua Redman Elastic Band
Sonny Rollins
The Royal Jesters
Eddie Santiago
Marvin Sapp
Seal (PRS)
José Serebrier
Shakira
Wayne Shorter Quartet
Ron Sluga
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Sugarland
Tierney Sutton
System of a Down
Ali Farka Touré (BUMDA)
Tiempo Libre
Turtle Island String Quartet
Keith Urban
Bebo Valdés
Marcello Valenzano
Louie Vega
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
Brian Wilson
BeBe Winans
George Winston
Paul Winter Consort
Hugh Wolff
David Yazbek
Ying Yang Twins

Jazz saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera and country icon Dolly Parton were among the recipients of the 2005 National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons through the U.S government. Presented by the President and Mrs. Laura Bush in an Oval Office ceremony at the White House on November 10, the Medal is awarded to those who "are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States."

BMI jazz artist Paquito D'Rivera (center) receives the National Medal of Arts from First Lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush

Administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Medal of Arts has been issued to over 200 individuals since its inception in 1984. Among the past recipients are blues giants B.B. King and Buddy Guy, country legends George Jones, Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff, jazz masters Dave Brubeck and Betty Carter, concert composer Elliott Carter and soul artist Ray Charles.

Soul singer Aretha Franklin was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by President Bush at a White House ceremony on November 9. Established by President Truman in 1945, this prestigious award recognizes "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Other 2005 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients included Muhammad Ali, Carol Burnett and Andy Griffith. Chosen by the President, Franklin joins the company of legendary performers Marian Anderson, Placido Domingo, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.]]> 2005-11-16T17:00:00-05:00 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