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