Albert King Lifetime Achievement Award “The Lucy Award”
Being on Fire, Feeling, Funk Blues & Soul
James "Super Chikan" Johnson
|
James "Super Chikan" Johnson is an American blues musician , based in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He is the nephew of fellow blues musician Big Jack Johnson . As an adult, Super Chikan began driving a truck for a living. During the long stretches on the road, he began composing his own songs. When he showed some of the songs to his friends, they convinced him to go to a recording studio and record them. He then started playing with some renowned local musicians, but he decided he would rather perform on his own than try to conform his style to that of his bandmates. He did so, and in 1997 he released his debut album, Blues Come Home to Roost. Now called a "present-day exponents of an edgier, electrified version of the raw, uncut Delta blues sound."
|
"King Of The Blues" Award "Tribute to B. B. King"
Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage
Django Knight
|
Django Knight is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and multi instrumentalist from Indianapolis, IN. Django began singing at the age of 6 through the influences of Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Elvis Presley. Years later, Django discovered the guitar through musicians like Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughan, andJimi Hendrix. At the young age of 15, he became the recipient of The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation New Generation Award. By age 17, Django earned the support of major companies such as Fender Musical Instruments, Dunlop Manufacturing, and Guitar Center. Django Knight’s music is a blend of exhilarating funk, blues, and rock that will leave you mesmerized. He is often referred to as one of the very best up and coming artist's of today. His goal is to lead the younger generation through his love and passion for music
|
KoKo Taylor “Queen of the Blues” Awards
Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage
Nora Jean Wallace
|
Nora Jean Wallace (formerly Nora Jean Bruso) is a Chicago Blues singer with deep Delta roots. Like so many blues greats that hail from the Delta of Mississippi, Nora Jean Bruso was born and raised in Greenwood, a town in the heart of this blues-rich region. From birth her father, Bobby Lee Wallace, a professional blues singer and sharecropper, and her Uncle, Henry “Son” Wallace, a blues singer and guitar player, infused the blues in her soul. Also contributing to her musical education was her mother, Ida Lee Wallace, a gospel singer, and her grandmother, Mary, who ran a juke house.
|
Willie Dixon Lifetime Achievement WRITERS Award
For outstanding contributions to Blues & Soul music as a unique Songwriter
Corey Harris
|
Corey Harris, is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and band leader who has carved out his own niche in blues. A powerful singer and accomplished guitarist,
He has appeared at venues throughout North America, Europe, Brazil, the Caribbean, West Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He has performed, recorded, and toured with many of the top names in music such as BB King, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, R.L.Burnside, Ali Farka Toure, Dave Matthews Band, Tracy Chapman, Olu Dara, Wilco, and others. His additional recordings include Fish Ain’t Bitin’ (1996), Vu-Du Menz (with Henry Butler, 2000), Downhome Sophisticate (2002), Zion Crossroads (2007), and blu black (2010). |
Willie Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Artist Award
Outstanding Artistry to Blues & Soul Music
Oona Mitchell
Lawerence "Boo" Mitchell
|
Oona (“A h-Na”) Mitchell Bean is the co-owner of Royal Recording Studios. Created by the legendary Willie Mitchell, along with her brother Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, her valuable everyday input to studio continues the family’s third generation as influential music makers and producers.
Oona wears many hats as the daily administrative manager of the studio. She handles bookings and schedules maintenance, while at the same time successfully helping to modernize Royal’s market, evidenced by the studio’s inclusion as a key component of Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars collaboration 2016 Grammy winner “Uptown Funk.” That her brother Boo Mitchell won a Grammy for. Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell is a GRAMMY Award-winning engineer, producer, composer, award-winning movie producer, and co-owner of Royal Studios in Memphis, TN.
Born in 1971, Boo is the son of legendary Hi Records and Al Green producer, Willie Mitchell. Boo began his storied musical career in 1987 at the young age of 16 honing his chops songwriting and playing keyboards. For more than a decade, Boo has worked in the studio and on stage with a who’s who of phenomenal artists such as, Al Green, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Boz Scaggs, John Mayer, Trombone Shorty, U2, Elton John, Bobby "Blue” Bland, The Neville Brothers, Edwin Hawkins, Keb Mo, William Bell, Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon, BJ Thomas, Carla Thomas, Steve Jordan, Jim Keltner, Melanie Fiona, Paul Rodgers, The Bar-Kays, Dave Stewart, Isaac Hayes, Anthony Hamilton, Robert Cray, George Porter Jr., Angie Stone, The Bar-Kay's, Bobby Rush, Doug E Fresh, Ty Segall, Melissa Etheridge, Paul Rodgers, Mannie Fresh, The Wu-Tang Clan, Jim Lauderdale, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Snoop Dogg, The North Mississippi Allstars, Mystikal, Sam Moore, Eric Benet, Bruno Mars, Robert Plant, Robert Randolph, G Eazy, Jeff Bhasker, Mark Ronson and others. |
Bobby Rush Lifetime Achievement Blues Entertainers Award
Outstanding Tradition Blues Entertainer
Dennis Jones
|
Dennis Jones, born 1958, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. While still a young teenager, Jones played guitar in various blues bands in his home state. A little while later he spent some time living in Europe, developing his skills and building an admiring audience. In the mid-80s he relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he greatly expanded his audience, offering a potent mix of classic urban blues songs alongside his own compositions, which maintain the mood although dressed in powerful rock-influenced concepts. He played with guitarist Zac Harmon’s band and others before forming his own group in the mid-90s. This blending of musical genres is reflected in the name of his company, Blue Rock Records, for which he began recording in the early 00s. Included in his band for his second album, 2005’s Passion For The Blues, were Kenny ‘Boudro’ Gray (bass) and Michael Turner (drums), while among the guests were Jimmy ‘Z’ Zavala (blues harp/saxophone), Marshall Thompson (keyboards) and Harmon.
|
Denise LaSalle Lifetime Achievement Award
RECORDING OF EXCELLENCE
Vicki Baker
|
Vickie Baker was born on October 3, 1961 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Vickie grew up in a musical family, traveling and singing gospel with her father, the late Mr. L.B. Baker Sr. Vickie’s mother, Mrs. Lessie Baker, insisted that she take private music lessons. She participated in the North Caddo High School Band as baritone section leader and drum majorette. She continued to pursue a career in music, receiving a scholarship in music to Mississippi Valley State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education. She furthered her career at the University of Mississippi and received a Masters of Music Education degree. She is currently a Band and Choral Music director at Vicksburg Catholic School in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vickie Baker is a self-described North Louisiana country girl who broke into the Southern Soul scene touring with Ernie Johnson and Willie Clayton in the 90's. |
Jus` Blues & Soul Lifetime Achievement Legend Award
Outstanding Contributions to Blues & Soul
Mel Harden
|
Melvin McArthur Harden Singer and songwriter, born in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Famously known as Mel of Mel & Tim Duo. Mel Harden and Tim McPherson sang some of the sweetest harmonies and made some of the most heartfelt and joyful music of the legendary “Deep Soul” era. As Mel and Tim, the two cousins gave the world such classic songs as “Backfield in Motion,” “Starting All Over Again,” and “Forever and a Day,” among others – testimonials to the power of music to celebrate life, love, and the unbending resilience of the human heart.
|
Millie Jackson “Classy & Sassy” Award
"Keeping it Real"
Dedra Ruff
|
DieDra, The Alabama Blues Queen DieDra is a 15 times Blues Award Winning and Nominated International Artist. Her husband is lead guitar player Keithen Ruff. Both Husbnad and wife are inducted inot "The Alabama Blues Hall of Fame". "DieDra and the Ruff Pro Band" was created but Keithen in 2009. DieDra's first CD was finally released called "Overcoming Hurdles". Since then, DieDra has had the opportunity to open up for Betty Wright, Bobby Brown, Candi Staton, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Bar-Kays, Glenn Jones, Denise LaSalle, Al Green, Avant, Carl Thomas, Sunshine Anderson, and Bobby Rush.
|
Benny Latimore “Let's Straighten It Out” Award
Preserving Blues & Soul Heritage Behind the Scenes
Morgan Freeman
|
Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) was raised in Mississippi where he began acting in school plays. He studied theater arts in Los Angeles and appeared in stage productions in his early career.
In 1997, Freeman and business partner Lori McCreary founded Revelations Entertainment, a film production company. They also founded ClickStar in 2006, a film download company, with investment from Intel Corporation. ClickStar ceased operations in 2008. Freeman owns and operates Ground Zero a Blues club in Clarksdale Mississippi. |
Bobby Blue Bland” Lifetime Achievement Blues Award
Outstanding Blues Vocal Stylist
Gregg A Smith
|
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (born Kenneth Wayne Spruell, November 13, 1944) is a Blues Boogie Woogie and Jazz Pianist , singer and songwriter. "There's no boogie-woogie-blues piano man out there today who pounds the 88's with the conviction of Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne.
Born in Spokane Washington , but he relocated with his family to San Francisco, California at an early age. His parents alternatively advised for and against the blues, but his mother's influence led Wayne to be influenced early by Nate King Cole , Little Willie John , and Fats Domino . The family moved in turn to New Orleans , Los Angeles and Compton California. While he was growing up, Wayne drew further inspiration from The Three Sounds , Geoerge Shearing , Erroll Gardner , Cal Tjader , Mongo Santamaria , Ray Charles , Charles Brown , Floyd Dixon , Big Joe Turner and Willie Dixon. |
BOBBY Byrd " know you got soul" LIFETIME Achievement AWARD
Outstanding Bandleader
James Boogaloo Bolden
|
James “Boogaloo” Bolden was born February 9, 1950 to James and Rachel Bolden in Houston, Texas. From youth onward he had a passion for music. He learned to play classical trumpet during his high school years and was a member of the school choir. Later, Bolden also learned to play the guitar. Playing with famous acts such as Stevie Wonder, Issac Hayes, Temptations, Supremes, The Spinners and James Brown, he gained knowledge and reputation and was eventually asked to join Duke Ellington's band. He eventually joined B.B. King's Blues Band and successfully became leader of that world famous band. A member of the King’s Blues Band for more than 30 years, it was B.B. King who gave Bolden the nickname “Boogaloo” because of Bolden’s restless feet.
|
Ruben Hughes Lifetime Achievement Blues Radio Personality Award
Preserving Blues Radio Programming
Jerry "Boogie" Mason
|
Jerry Mason based known as Boogie
|
JUS' BLUES "THE MUDDY" LIFETIME Achievement BLUES AWARD
Outstanding Contributions to Blues Music
Jesse Robinson
|
Robinson was born in Benton, Mississippi, in May 1944 and was raised in Mileston (an unincorporated community 6 miles south of Tchula). He began playing guitar at the age of 6 and played in the church where his father was a preacher. Robinson moved to Chicago in 1965 where he worked in a television factory. While in Chicago, Robinson continued playing music and worked with local musicians including Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Freddie King, and Magic Sam.
Robinson returned to Jackson, MS in 1971 where he continues to reside. In his early time in Jackson, he and his band played every night at the Avalon Court on Highway 49. He also established Blue Mondays at Dorsey’s in 1978, which featured blues musicians and blues music. Robinson played with Little Milton Campbell from 1979 to 1981 and then led the band for Bobby Rush from 1981 to 1986. In 1987, Robinson began playing at the Subway Lounge with his Knee Deep Band. In 1994, Robinson brought his Blue Mondays series to the Fields Cafe. |
JUS' Blue JUKE JOINT Award
Preserving & Keeping the traditions of the Chitlin' Circuit Clubs Alive
R L Griffin
|
R.L. Griffin is a major figure on the Dallas blues scene, doing much more than just bending notes to keep the genre of music vital and ensure that a forum exists for its appreciation. He runs his own nightclub, which is R.L. Griffin's Blues Palace 11. The man often called "the Right Reverend of the Blues" or "Ting-A-Ling" is also a classic blues and R&B disc jockey on KKDA, sometimes broadcasting directly from his club. Musicians who toil in the related careers of radio and venue management are naturally in the position to help other players. He initially was a drummer and claims singing came about only in response to an off the cuff request for him to try a version of "Fever" by Little Willie John..
|
jUS' Blues Tyrone Davis soul award
Preserving the style of Soul & Blues
Tucka
|
Tucka, a native of Louisiana, his sound is a creative, techno-driven mash-up of Creole, Caribbean, hip-hop, and southern soul influences, and he can charm a lady with pillow talk and romantic endearments as effortlessly as he can galvanize a roomful of dancers. He got his start in 2007, singing lead with Zydeco star Keith Frank (another who has taken a rich tradition and updated it for new audiences and new times); within a year or two he was on his own, making a name for himself on the Southern Soul circuit and billing himself as the “King of Swing'' (“Swing-out,” a meld of Zydeco and Southern Soul.
|