Big Easy Music Awards Toast Year’s Best in New Orleans

Posted in News on April 25, 2008

The 20th Annual Big Easy Music Awards honored the musical lifeblood still pulsing through New Orleans Monday, April 21 at Harrah’s Theatre. Winners, performers and presenters featured a bevy of BMI legends: Entertainer of the Year Terence Blanchard and his band delivered a jaw-dropping performance; revered piano man Allen Toussaint presented the 2008 Lifetime Achievement in Music honor to beloved funk innovator Eddie Bo; newly-anointed Best Female Performer Irma Thomas handed out jazz and gospel honors alongside the Thelonius Monk Institute’s Jonathan Bloom; and the Tipitina Foundation’s acclaimed Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino received Album of the Year bragging rights.

All BMI 2008 Big Easy Music Award Winners

Entertainer of the Year
Terence Blanchard

Lifetime Achievement in Music
Eddie Bo

Ambassador of Music
Donald Harrison, Jr.

Best Blues Artist
Little Freddie King

Best Rhythm and Blues
Jon Cleary

Best Rap/Hip Hop
Lil Wayne

Best Traditional Jazz
Tom McDermott & Evan Christopher

Best Contemporary Jazz Artist
Terence Blanchard

Best Traditional Brass Band
Treme Brass Band

Best Contemporary Brass Band
Soul Rebels

Best Roots Rock Band
Happy Talk Band

Best Rock Band
Rotary Downs

Best Funk Band
Galactic

Best Zydeco Artist
Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience

Best Mixed Bag
Bonerama

Best Female Performer
Irma Thomas

Best Emerging Artist
Shamarr Allen

Best Album
Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino
Tipitina’s Foundation - Vanguard Records
Produced by Bill Taylor, Adam Shipley & Chris Finney

SOURCENews TAGS Blues R&B Rock Terence Blanchard Fats Domino Lil Wayne Irma Thomas Allen Toussaint Treme Brass Band