Buddy Guy Leads BMI Winners at 30th Annual Blues Music Awards

Posted in News on May 13, 2009

BMI blues legends dominated the 30th Annual Blues Music Awards, held Thursday, May 7 in Memphis, Tennessee. With three trophies, icon Buddy Guy walked away with the most wins, including album and contemporary blues album of the year for Skin Deep, as well as contemporary blues male artist of the year.

Acclaimed singer Janiva Magness earned the prestigious B.B. King entertainer of the year title along with contemporary blues female artist of the year recognition. Legend B.B. King took home two honors himself: traditional blues album of the year for One Kind Favor and traditional blues male artist of the year. Perennial favorites Irma Thomas, Koko Taylor, and Etta James received recognition as well: Thomas’ Simply Grand was named soul blues album of the year, Taylor earned the traditional blues female artist of the year crown, and the soul blues female artist of the year title went to James. Bobby Rush also underscored the potency of his influence with the soul blues male artist of the year victory, while Lil’ Ed and The Imperials earned band of the year bragging rights.

Kenny Neal’s “Let Life Flow” garnered song of the year honors, while in the instrumentalist categories, recognition for excellent harmonica playing went to Billy Gibson, and Deanna Bogart’s preeminence was recognized in the horn field. Marcia Ball was named Pinetop Perkins Piano Player, while Jeff Healey’s (SOCAN) Mess of Blues won rock blues album of the year.

M for Mississippi: A Road Trip through the Birthplace of the Blues earned DVD of the year, while Albert Collins Live at Montreux 1992 received historical album of the year honors.

For a complete list of 2009 Blues Music Award winners, please visit www.blues.org.

SOURCENews TAGS Blues Memphis Marcia Ball Buddy Guy Etta James B.B. King Janiva Magness Bobby Rush Koko Taylor Irma Thomas