​Bobby Blue Bland” Lifetime Blues Award

John Lee Hooker Jr

Outstanding Blues & Soul Music Stylist

John Lee Hooker Jr., grew up in Detroit, Michigan as the son of one of  the greatest blues and Legendary music icons in the world,  the late and the great  John Lee Hooker. He is a musical artist who has received multiple awards ranging from The California Music Award for Best Traditional Artist in 2004, The esteemed W.C Handy Award in 2004, and the Bay Area Music Chapter for Come Back Artist of the Year. The younger Hooker's musical style is markedly modernized, featuring contemporary arrangements with a funky big horn sound with elements of funky Gospel, with ingredients of a Johnny "Guitar" Watson sound,  with a James Brown feel, and some John Lee Hooker Sr. Boogie Beat, and also with his Daddy's work ethic, "Give the People what they want."

Little Milton Lifetime Bluesman Award

R L Boyce

Smooth vocals,
​a unique Blues sound with Feelings

R. L. Boyce  is a blues singer, songwriter, and  guitarist born and raised in Como, Mississippi, He is a protege of Hill country blues musicians including R .L. Burnside, and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Boyce began his career in the early 1960s playing drums for his uncle, the fife and drum performer Othar Turner.  Later he was the drummer for Jessie Mae Hemphill and is heard on her 1990 album, Feelin' Good. R.L.’s been a musician since his days as a child growing up in Como, Mississippi, home to the great Hill Country bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell. He started out as a drummer, playing for the Rising Star Fife and Drum band with blues legend Otha Turner, all the while waiting to come out in front to sing and play guitar. His songs are often delivered in an improvisational fashion, with references to his collaborators, his environs and whatever else happens to be on his mind at that particular moment. You will never hear the same R.L. Boyce song twice​

 ​Denise LaSalle Lifetime Recording Of Excellence Award

Toni Lynn Washington

​Recording Of Excellence Awards
Blues & Soul music

Boston-based blues singer Toni Lynn Washington recorded and released Blues at Midnight for the Tone-Cool subsidiary of Rounder Records in 1995. Washington is considered Boston's "queen of the blues,'' where she has a long and storied history on the club scene. Raised in a procession of gospel choirs in Southern Pines, North Carolina, Washington performed with classic R&B artists like Sam and Dave and Jackie Wilson throughout the South in her youth. Washington also made USO tours of the U.S. and Asia in the 1960's and recorded the Top 50 single "Dear Diary" for the New Orleans-based Conti label, then a subsidiary of Atlantic Records.
After two decades off the road and out of the recording studio, Washington returned to performing in 1992 with a ten-piece band. On her debut for Tone-Cool, Blues at  Midnight, Washington comes across best as an interpreter: she tackles B.B. King's "Ask Me No Questions," Jimmy Reed's "Ain't That Loving You Baby,'' and a tune popularized by Jimmy Rushing and the Basie Orchestra and T-Bone Walker, "Evening.''

Willie Mitchell Lifetime Artist Award

Sir Charles Jones

​Outstanding Contributions to Blues & Soul 

Sir Charles Jones, born in Akron Ohio, yet raised in Birmingham, Alabama is where actual singing career begun. This self taught writer, arranger, producer and engineer has embraced a genuine passion for music, ranging from jazz to fusion; Gospel to blues. Sir Charles Jones is the epitome of a recording artist / performer.   With his versatile style and wide range of vocal ability; with just a touch of smooth rhythm melodic melodies, and the cry of love, pain, happiness, fun-times, and the sincerity of commitment; Sir Charles Jones proves why he is crowned “The King of Southern Soul.”  Sir Charles Jones is the ideal candidate for men that understands the real meaning of love, commitment, and relationship. 
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Albert King Lifetime Award “The Lucy Award”

Tyree Neal

Being on Fire, Feeling, Funk & Soul
Outstanding Blues & Soul Music

From the early age of 3 (three), Tyree Neal has been drawn to  performing on stage. Tyree has continued the Neal legacy as a guitarist, singer, keyboardist. Tyree comes from a blues family, His granddaddy the late Raful Neal made sure all his children understood the meaning of the Blues. His famous Blues legend uncle Kenny Neal also played a part in his young career.  Tyree a Blues protege, a writer, producer and performer in the hip-hop, r&b and Blues genre. His most rewarding experiences were his years as Musical Director, Lead Guitarist and Vocalist for the his aunt the late Southern Soul Diva Jackie Neal.

KoKo Taylor “Queen of the Blues” Awards

Nellie Tiger Travis

Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage

Destiny chose Nellie “Tiger” Travis to sing the blues. Born deep in the delta of Mississippi in the early 60’s in a typical small town, where church cultural focal point, Nellie grew up singing gospel music.  Ms. KoKo Taylor was a mentor and friend to Nellie, and when she passed in early 2009 Nellie used her songwriting skills to write and record a tribute to her friend entitled “KoKo” (Queen Of The Blues). This soulful tune was also performed and used to eulogize Koko as part of her last rites and is on Nellie’s I’m Goin’ Out Tonight album. She has shared the stage with such legendary greats as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Gladys Knight, and Ronnie Baker Brooks just to name a few. Her influences are powerful performers like Big Mama Thornton, KoKo Taylor (of course) and Etta James. 
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Jus' Blues "The Muddy"  Lifetime Blues Award

John Primer

​Outstanding Contributions to Traditional Blues

John Primer has undisputedly helped build the sound and style of Chicago blues as we know it today. The echos of tradition bellowing from the birthplaces he played such as: Maxwell Street, Theresa's, Checkerboard and Rosa's Lounges, pulse from every chord in his fingers today. John Primer is a Chicago Blues Living Legend.
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In 1979, the great songwriter Willie Dixon persuaded him to join his band the Chicago Blues All Stars. John traveled the U.S., Mexico and Europe, trying on hats as a rhythm guitarist, lead slide player and powerful singer. Muddy Waters heard John play and six months later Muddy recruited him not only as his guitar player and bandleader, but also as an opening act. John stayed loyal to Muddy until his death in 1983.

Millie Jackson “Classy & Sassy” Award

Sheba Potts-Wright

Outstanding Contributions to
Blues & Soul "Keeping it Real"

Sheba Potts-Wright was born in Chicago, IL and spent the early years of her life in Detroit, MI and Greenwood, MS. Sheba now resides in Memphis, TN where she is the proud mother of one. Sheba started performing with her father Dr. "Feelgood" Potts whom had been recording since the 1970's. In pursuing her dreams Sheba Potts-Wright has shared the stage with legendary artists such as, Willie Clayton, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Tyrone Davis, Millie Jackson, Dorothy Moore, Shirley Brown and Marvin Sease, just to name a few. Sheba later opened shows and sang back-up for the "Queen of the Blues" the late great Denise LaSalle whom she also considers her God Mother.

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Willie Dixon Lifetime Songwriters Award

Larry Garner

​Outstanding Contributions to Preserving Traditional Blues Writing Style 

Larry Garner (born July 8, 1952, New Orleans, Louisiana, is a Louisiana blues musician, Garner learned how to play guitar from his uncle and a couple of gospel-playing elders. After completing his military service in Korea, he returned to Baton Rouge and embarked on a musical career Rooted in the swamp blues tradition indigenous to his Baton Rouge environs, Garner brings a laudable contemporary sensibility and witty composing skills to his craft. He remembers the days he played out at Tabby's Blues Box, he met such Baton rouge blues legends like Silas Hogan, Whispering Smith, Arthur Kelly and Raful Neal.

Benny Latimore “Let's Straighten It Out” Award 

Benny Thompson

​Working behind the scenes
Preserving Delta Blues Heritage

Born in a state with a unique history of racial inequality, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson draws inspiration from the legacies of Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Aaron Henry and Henry Kirksey. The Bolton, Mississippi native considers it an honor to walk the path Mississippi civil rights icons paved decades ago.
Serving his 13th term in the United States House of Representatives, Thompson represents Mississippi’s Second Congressional District where he has spent his entire life fighting to improve the lives of all people. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson is the longest-serving African-American elected official in the State of Mississippi and the lone Democrat in the Mississippi Congressional Delegation.
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Bobby Rush Lifetime Blues Entertainers Award

Dexter Allen

​Artist who continues to maintain the tradition of Blues “Show-Business”

Dexter Allen, born in Crystal Springs, MS. the son of musical Pastors Lee and Ruthie. Dexter began playing the bass guitar at the age of 12 for his father's gospel group traveling around the central Mississippi area. His sweet blend of Blues, R&B, Soul and Funk landed him a deal in 1995 when he teamed up with Airtight Records to share his musical and writing talents. He caught the eye of living blues legend Bobby Rush. Dexter's unique style landed him the 2008 Jackson Music Award for Male Vocalist of the year. In 2009 he won the Mississippi Music Awards Entertainer of the Year honor. In 2013 Dexter was cast in the James Brown movie "Get On Up" where he played one of Mr. Brown's musicians. In 2014 Dexter was signed to Deep Rush Records, the label of icon Bobby Rush, where he released the CD titled "Bluez Of My Soul" that made many chart appearances worldwide.

Jus` Blues Lifetime Blues & Soul Living Legends Award

Tito Jackson

Outstanding Contributions
​to Blues & Soul Music Trend Setting
​
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson’s poetic lyrics, irrepressible vocals, and evocative musicianship are a faint reflection of the remarkable gifts that characterize Gary, Indiana’s native son. Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson, On October 26, 2017 Tito Jackson announced that he is teaming up with B.B. King's blues band. They will be going on a major world tour. Tito says he's a blues man at heart and has always idolized B.B. King. “I've always been a blues player, ever since the day I picked up the guitar, I guess,” says Tito Jackson. Also following in the footsteps of B.B. King, Tito says he plans to name his specially made Gibson guitar after someone close to him. His guitar will carry the name "Katie," which is what most people call his mother.
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Jus' Blues "King Of The Blues" Award

Marquise Knox

Young Blues Artist Continue to Preserve the Style of Traditional Blues Heritage

​Born St. Louis, Mo Marquise hails from a musical family deeply rooted in the Blues. He learned how to play guitar from his grandmother Lillie. He also played with his uncle Clifford who was a major influence in Marquise's life. For Marquise Blues is his heritage and way of life. He spent his early teenage years in St. Louis mentoring under the late great Blues legend National Endowment of the Arts Heritage Fellowship recipient and Grammy Awards winner Henry James Townsend. Marquise talents have earned him performing rights with some of America;s most notable Blues performers such as Blues legends B. B. King, Pinetop Perkins and David "Honeyboy" Edwards. He has also performed at dozens of festivals and has toured all throughout Europe.

Bobby Byrd "I Know You Got Soul" Awards

Theodore Arthur

Blues, Soul & Funk Heritage 

Theodore Arthur has played with The 131 year old Excelsior Band since 1966. Theodore Arthur has made a living playing the Blues and Jazz for more than 50 years. Influenced by a friend he started playing the drums in the fifth grade.  A renowned local band director introduced Arthur to woodwind instruments in the seventh grade. "He didn't need any more drummers. He needed clarinet players so that’s how I started playing the woodwind instrument. I played clarinet until I was in tenth grade and I taught myself how to play the saxophone. The late great Mr. Ed (Edward) Pratt was such a phenomenal saxophone player; I was just amazed. The first time I heard him that was it for me I wanted to play saxophone like him.  He's one of the best that I've ever heard in my life and that started my saxophone career," remembered Arthur. "I love Jazz. Jazz is my heart but, the Blues is where my roots are. The first thing that I learned was how to play the Blues and that enabled me to learn these other types of music.