2026 Living Blues Award Winners Including Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne

In early July, Living Blues Magazine announced the winners for their 2026 awards. The only Canadian winner was former Burlingtonian Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, who earned the Critics Poll Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) award.

Click here for the full story.

CONGRATS

Below is a complete list of winners. 

* Signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Critics' Poll

• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (formerly from Burlington)*
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, Video above courtesy of Roberto Scorta
  
  
• Comeback Artist of the Year: Maria Muldaur*
• Artist Deserving More Attention: Sean McDonald
• Blues Artist of the Year (Male): John Primer
• Blues Band of the Year: Southern Avenue
• Best Blues Book of 2025: Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King By Preston Lauterbach
• Best Historical Release / Pre-war: Bukka White – Aberdeen Mississippi Blues: Complete Recordings, 1930-1940
• Best Historical Reissue / Postwar: Clifton Chenier – King of Louisiana Blues & Zydeco
• Best Live Performer: Bobby Rush
• Best New Recording / Best Debut Release: Sean McDonald – Have Mercy!
• Best New Recording / Contemporary Blues: Sean McDonald – Have Mercy! 
• Best New Recording / Soul Blues: Johnny Rawls – Make Them Dance
• Best New Recording / Traditional or Acoustic Blues: John Primer – Grown in Mississippi
• Blues Artist of the Year (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Best Blues Album of 2025 (New Recordings): D. K. Harrell: Talkin' Heavy
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Mavis Staples
• Most Outstanding Musician (Bass): Bob Stroger
• Most Outstanding Musician (Drums): Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Charlie Musselwhite
• Most Outstanding Musician (Horns): Vanessa Collier
• Most Outstanding Musician (Other): Sharde Thomas-Mallory (Fife)Most Outstanding Musician (Other): Sharde Thomas-Mallory (Fife)
• Producer of the Year – Historical / Reissue: Adam Machado – King of Louisiana Blues & Zydeco
• Producer of the Year / New Recording: Tom Hambridge – Ain’t Done with the Blues

Readers' Poll

• Best Blues Album of 2025 (New Recordings): Bob Stroger & the Headcutters: Bob is Back!
• Best Blues Album of 2025 (Reissue Recordings): Buddy Guy: This is Buddy Guy
• Best Blues Book of 2025: Inside the Moment: Iconic Blues, Soul, Jazz, Rock, and R&B Images and History By Joseph A. Rosen
• Best Live Performer: Bobby Rush
• Blues Artist of the Year (Male): Bob Stroger
• Blues Band of the Year: Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues
• Blues Artist of the Year (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Charlie Musselwhite
• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Marcia Ball
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Taj Mahal

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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Vote for the Living Blues Awards! Deadline is June 15!

Living Blues Magazine has announced the nomineees for their 2026 awards. You can vote for your favourites (even write-ins). Deadline to vote is June 15, 2026.

Below is a complete list of nominees. Canadian acts are bolded.

* Signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)

• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (formerly from Burlington) *
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, Video above courtesy of Roberto Scorta
  
  
• Booker T. Jones
• Jim Pugh
• Roosevelt Purifoy
• Anthony Geraci
• Mitch Woods
• Victor Wainwright
• Marcia Ball
• Ben Levin
• Dave Keyes

Best Blues Album of 2025 (New Recordings)

• Maria Muldaur: One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey *
• Tommy Castro & the Painkillers: Closer to the Bone
• Charlie Musselwhite: Lookout Highway
• D. K. Harrell: Talkin' Heavy
• Buddy Guy: Ain't Done with the Blues
• Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Young Fashioned Ways
• John Primer: Grown in Mississippi
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram: Hard Road
• Candice Ivory: New Southern Vintage
• Larry McCray: Heartbreak City
• Southern Avenue: Family
• Little Freddie King: I Use to Be Down
• Bob Stroger & the Headcutters: Bob is Back!
• Leonard "Lowdown" Brown: Lowdown Street Party
• Jimi "Primetime" Smith: It's My Time
• Kirk Fletcher: Keep on Pushing
• Sean McDonald: Have Mercy!
• Mavis Staples: Sad and Beautiful World
• Jimmy Burns & Soul Message Band: Full Circle
• Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo': Room on the Porch

Blues Artist of the Year (Female)

• Dawn Tyler Watson
  
  
  
  Links:  Dawn Tyler Watson, More Dawn Tyler Watson Stories, Video above courtesy of laura carbone
  
  
• Maria Muldaur*
• Rory Block*
• Shemekia Copeland
• Kat Riggins
• Thornetta Davis
• Candice Ivory
• Anne Harris
• Ruthie Foster
• Sierra Green

Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)

• Duke Robillard*
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Larry McCray
• John Primer
• Kid Andersen
• Jimmy "Duck" Holmes
• Tommy Castro
• Anthony Paule
• Kirk Fletcher
• Eric Gales

Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)

• Kim Wilson*
• Charlie Musselwhite
• Billy Branch
• Bob Corritore
• Wallace Coleman
• Big Harp George
• Brandon Santini
• Rick Estrin
• Jason Ricci
• Omar Coleman

Best Blues Album of 2025 (Reissue Recordings)

• Mississippi John Hurt: Today!
• John Lee Hooker: It Serve You Right to Suffer
• Otis Spann: Walking the Blues
• Lightnin' Hopkins: Lightnin' Strikes
• Buddy Guy: This is Buddy Guy
• Various Artists: High Water Everywhere
• Scrapper Blackwell: Mr. Scrapper's Blues
• Muddy Waters: The Best of Muddy Waters
• Clifton Chenier: King of Louisiana Blues & Zydeco
• Howlin' Wolf: Moanin' in the Moonlight

Best Blues Book of 2025

• Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King By Preston Lauterbach
• Mr. R&B and the Rhythm & Blues Revival: The Story of Jonas Bernholm Part 2 By Jonas Bernholm
• The Life and Music of Booker "Bukka" White: Recalling the Blues By David W. Johnson
• Go Back and Fetch It: Recovering Early Black Music in the Americas for Fiddle and Banjo By Kristina R. Gaddy and Rhiannon Giddens
• Two Headed Doctor: Listening for Ghosts in Dr. John's Gris-gris By David Toop
• Inside the Moment: Iconic Blues, Soul, Jazz, Rock, and R&B Images and History By Joseph A. Rosen
• Fiddling is My Joy: The Fiddle in African American Culture By Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje

Best Live Performer

• John Primer
• Bobby Rush
• Shemekia Copeland
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Anne Harris
• Mr. Sipp
• Eric Gales
• Southern Avenue
• Ronnie Baker Brooks
• Sean McDonald

Blues Artist of the Year (Male)

• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• John Primer
• Bobby Rush
• Mr. Sipp
• Larry McCray
• Taj Mahal
• Bob Corritore
• Ronnie Baker Brooks
• Tommy Castro
• Bob Stroger

Blues Band of the Year

• Southern Avenue
• The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
• Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band
• The Phantom Blues Band
• Memphissippi Sounds
• Mississippi Heat
• Kid Andersen's Greaseland All Stars
• The Nighthawks
• Altered Five Blues Band
• Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues

Most Outstanding Blues Singer

• Taj Mahal
• Shemekia Copeland
• Valerie June
• Sugaray Rayford
• Mud Morganfield
• Mavis Staples
• Oscar Wilson
• Candice Ivory
• Thornetta Davis
• Erica Falls

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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2025 Living Blues Award Winners Including Canada's Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne & Sue Foley

In early July, Living Blues Magazine announced their 2025 Living Blues Award winners. 

Below is a complete list of winners. Canadian Artists are bolded.

* signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Reader's Poll

• Best Blues Album (New Recordings): Sue Foley (Ottawa): One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar *
  
  
  
  Links: Sue Foley, More Sue Foley Stories, Video above courtesy of Sue Foley
  
  
• Best Blues Album of 2024 (Reissue Recordings): B.B. King: Live in Japan
• Best Live Performer: Bobby Rush
• Blues Artist of the Year (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Blues Artist of the Year (Male): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Blues Band of the Year: Southern Avenue
• Blues Book: Out of the Blue: Life on the Road with Muddy Waters by Brian Bisesi 
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Mavis Staples
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Charlie Musselwhite
• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Marcia Ball

Critics' Poll

• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Burlington) *
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic
  
  
• Artists Deserving More Attention: Jovin Webb
• Best Blues Album: Shemekia Copeland - Blame It on Eve
• Best Historical Release / Pre-war: Sleepy John Estes - Working Man Blues, 1929–1952
• Best Historical Reissue / Postwar: Jimmy Reed - I’m Jimmy Reed (LP)
• Best Live Performer: Bobby Rush
• Blues Artist of the Year (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Blues Artist of the Year (Male): Ronnie Baker Brooks
• Blues Band of the Year: Rick Estrin & the Nightcats
• Blues Book: Jelly Roll Blues: Censored Songs and Hidden Histories by Elijah Wald
• Comeback Artist of the Year: Daddy Mack Orr
• Contemporary Blues Album: Ronnie Baker Brooks - Blues in My DNA
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Shemekia Copeland
• Most Outstanding Musician (Bass): Bob Stroger
• Most Outstanding Musician (Drums): Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Billy Branch
• Most Outstanding Musician (Horns): Vanessa Collier
• Most Outstanding Musician (Other): Sharde Thomas-Mallory (Fife)
• Producer of the Year / New Recording: Will Kimbrough (Shemekia Copeland - Blame It on Eve)
• Soul Blues Album: Sugaray Rayford - Human Decency
• Traditional or Acoustic Blues Album: Jontavious Willis -West Georgia Blues

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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Living Blues Award Nominees Including Local & Canadian Artists (Vote - Deadline is June 15)

Living Blues Magazine recently announced their 2025 award nominees. Former Burlington resident Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne got the nod for two awards. Canadians Sue Foley and the Blackburn Brothers are also in the running for 3 and 1 awards respectively. A number of artists signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records are on the list as well.

The public can vote here. You can also write in nominees if you'd like. Deadline to vote is June 15, 2025)

Below is a list of nominees. Canadian Artists are bolded.

* signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)

• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Burlington) *
• Roosevelt Purifoy
• Victor Wainwright
• Eden Brent
• Marcia Ball
• Anthony Geraci
• Ben Levin
• Mitch Woods
• Dave Keyes
• Bruce Katz

Best Blues Album of 2024 (New Recordings)

• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Burlington): Ooh Yeah!*
• Sue Foley (Ottawa): One Guitar Woman: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar *
• Eric Bibb: In the Real World *
• Rick Estrin and the Nightcats: The Hits Keep Coming
• Shemekia Copeland: Blame It on Eve
• John Primer & Bob Corritore: Crawlin' Kingsnake
• Cedric Burnside: Hill Country Love
• Benny Turner: BT
• The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra Featuring Willy Jordan: What Are You Waiting For?
• Ronnie Baker Brooks: Blues in My DNA
• Jerron Paxton: Things Done Changed
• Chris O'Leary: The Hard Line
• Jontavious Willis: West Georgia Blues
• Zac Harmon: Floreada's Boy
• Guy Davis: The Legend of Sugarbelly
• Toronzo Cannon: Shut Up & Play!
• Sugaray Rayford: Human Decency
• Tinsley Ellis: Alligator Records

Blues Artist of the Year (Female)

• Sue Foley (Ottawa) *
• Rory Block*
• Shemekia Copeland
• Irma Thomas
• Kat Riggins
• Rhiannon Giddens
• Candice Ivory
• Anne Harris
• Anna Popović
• Vanessa Collier

Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)

• Sue Foley (Ottawa) *
• Duke Robillard*
• Eric Bibb*
• Lurrie Bell
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Toronzo Cannon
• John Primer
• Ronnie Baker Brooks
• Mr. Sipp
• Jimmy "Duck" Holmes

Blues Band of the Year

• The Blackburn Brothers (Toronto)
• Southern Avenue
• The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra
• Altered Five Blues Band
• Chicago Blues Lifters
• Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band
• The Phantom Blues Band
• Mississippi Heat
• The Bo-Keys
• The Nighthawks

Blues Artist of the Year (Male)

• Eric Bibb*
• Taj Mahal*
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Bobby Rush
• Mr. Sipp
• Bob Corritore
• Ronnie Baker Brooks
• John Primer
• Cedric Burnside
• Rick Estrin

Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)

• Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds)*
• Billy Branch
• Bob Corritore
• Big Harp George
• Mark Hummel
• Brandon Santini
• Charlie Musselwhite
• Rick Estrin
• Jason Ricci
• Omar Coleman

Most Outstanding Blues Singer

• Shemekia Copeland
• Valerie June
• Sugaray Rayford
• Mavis Staples
• Diunna Greenleaf
• Oscar Wilson
• John Németh
• Alabama Mike
• William Bell
• Jerron Paxton

Best Live Performer

• Bobby Rush
• Shemekia Copeland
• Rick Estrin
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Cedric Burnside
• John Primer
• Mr. Sipp
• Southern Avenue
• Ronnie Baker Brooks
• Anne Harris

Best Blues Album of 2024 (Reissue Recordings)

• Pat Hare: I'm Gonna Murder My Baby: In Session, 1952–1960
• B.B. King: Live in Japan
• John Lee Hooker: Burning Hell
• Various Artists: I'm Glad About It: The Legacy of Gospel Music in Louisville, 1958–1981
• Various Artists: Home of the Blues (Don't Stop Lovin' Me): The Lost Masters Vol. 1, 1960–1962
• Roy Brown: Rocks
• T-Bone Walker: T-Bone Blues
• Skip James: Today!
• Albert King: Live Wire / Blues Power
• Ray Charles: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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Winners of the 2024 Living Blues Awards Including Local Artists

Recently, Living Blues Magazine revealed the winners of their 2024 awards. Burlington's Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne won another in a very long line of accolades by getting the Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) award in the Critic's Poll. Waterdown's Stony Plain Records was also well represented as many of their talented artists (including Kenny) won the top spot in a few categories.

Below is a complete list of winners.

* signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Critics Poll

• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Burlington)*
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic
  
  
• Best New Recording / Traditional or Acoustic Blues: Eric Bibb: Ridin' (guest starring Hamilton's Harrison Kennedy)*
  
  
  
  Links: Eric Bibb, More Eric Bibb Stories, Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of Eric Bibb Official 
  
  
• Best Blues Album: Taj Mahal: Savoy*
• Artist Deserving More Attention: D.K. Harrell
• Best Blues Book: Biography of a Phantom: A Robert Johnson Blues Odyssey by Robert "Mack" McCormick and John Troutman
• Best Historical Reissue / Postwar: Down Home Blues: Chicago, Vol. 3 – The Special Stuff 
• Best Historical Release / Pre-war: Memphis Blues Box: Original Recordings 1914–1969
• Best Live Performer: Bobby Rush
• Best New Recording / Best Debut Release: D.K. Harrell – The Right Man 
• Best New Recording / Contemporary Blues: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Live in London
• Best New Recording / Soul Blues: Johnny Rawls – Walking Heart Attack
• Blues Artist of the Year (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Blues Artist of the Year (Male): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Comeback Artist of the Year: Arthur Adams
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Shemekia Copeland
• Most Outstanding Musician (Bass): Jerry Jemmott
• Most Outstanding Musician (Drums): Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Charlie Musselwhite
• Most Outstanding Musician (Horns): The Texas Horns
• Most Outstanding Musician (Other): Anne Harris (violin)
• Producer of the Year / Historical Reissue: Jeff Place and John W. Troutman – (Playing for the Man at the Door: Field Recordings from the Collection of Mack McCormick 1958–1971)
• Producer of the Year / New Recording: Kid Andersen – (Alabama Mike – Stuff I’ve Been Through)

Readers' Poll

• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Marcia Ball *
• Best Blues Album (New Release): Taj Mahal: Savoy*
• Blues Artist of the Year (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Blues Artist of the Year (Male): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Best Blues Album (Historical Recording): Ike & Tina Turner – River Deep – Mountain High
• Best Blues Book: Tell It Like It Is: My Story – Aaron Neville
• Best Live Performer: Buddy Guy
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Shemekia Copeland
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Buddy Guy
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Charlie Musselwhite

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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2024 Living Blues Award Nominees Including Local Artists! VOTE!

Recently, Living Blues Magazine announced the nominees for their 2024 awards. A few local artists received a nod. The public can vote for their choices by clicking here. Deadline to vote is June 15.

Below is a complete list of nominees (voters are allowed write in choices though). 

* signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) 

• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Burlington)*
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic
  
  
• Marcia Ball
• Roosevelt Purifoy
• Victor Wainwright
• Eden Brent
• Anthony Geraci
• Ben Levin
• Mitch Woods
• Dave Keyes
• Bruce Katz

Best Blues Album of 2023 (New Recordings) 

• Eric Bibb: Ridin' (guest starring Hamilton's Harrison Kennedy)*
  
  
  
  Links: Eric Bibb, More Eric Bibb Stories, Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of Eric Bibb Official 
  
  
• Taj Mahal: Savoy*
• Cash Box Kings: Oscar's Motel
• D.K. Harrell: The Right Man
• Nick Moss Band feat. Dennis Gruenling: Get Your Back Into It!
• Bobby Rush: All My Love for You
• Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia: Blood Brothers
• Ally Venable: Real Gone
• Selwyn Birchwood: Exorcist
• Buffalo Nichols: The Fatalist
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram: Alligator
• Candice Ivory: When the Levee Breaks: The Music of Memphis Minnie
• Larry Taylor & the Taylor Family with the Soul Blues Healers: Generations of Blues: West Side Legacy
• Chris Thomas King: Big Grey Sky
• Arthur Adams: Kick Up Some Dust
• Jimi "Primetime" Smith & Bob Corritore: The World in a Jug
• Stan Mosley: No Soul, No Blues
• Walter "Wolfman" Washington: Feel So at Home

Best Live Performer 

• Duke Robillard*
• Bobby Rush
• Shemekia Copeland
• Buddy Guy
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Victor Wainwright
• Cedric Burnside
• John Primer
• Mr. Sipp
• Selwyn Birchwood

Blues Artist of the Year (Female) 

• Rory Block*
• Sue Foley (Ottawa)*
• Diunna Greenleaf
• Shemekia Copeland
• Irma Thomas
• Trudy Lynn
• Ally Venable
• Candice Ivory
• Anne Harris
• Anna Popović

Blues Artist of the Year (Male) 

• Taj Mahal*
• Duke Robillard*
• Eric Bibb*
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Bobby Rush
• Mr. Sipp
• Bob Corritore
• Cedric Burnside
• John Primer
• Joe Louis Walker

Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) 

• Duke Robillard*
• Eric Bibb*
• Lurrie Bell
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• John Primer
• Buddy Guy
• Ana Popović
• Mr. Sipp
• Joe Louis Walker
• Kirk Fletcher

Best Blues Album of 2023 (Reissue Recordings) 

• Floyd Dixon: Time Brings About a Change
• Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos
• Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Blues Anthology
• Billy "The Kid" Emerson: My Blues are Red Hot
• James Booker: Behind the Iron Curtain Plus . . .
• Ike & Tina Turner: River Deep – Mountain High
• Down Home Blues – Chicago, Vol. 3: The Special Stuff
• The Memphis Blues Box: Original Recordings, 1914–1969
• Eddie Bo: The Other Side of Eddie Bo
• Lazy Lester: All Over You

Best Blues Book of 2023 

• Biography of a Phantom: A Robert Johnson Blues Odyssey by Robert "Mack" McCormick and John Troutman
• The Chicago Blues of Washboard Sam by Guido van Rijn
• The Rise and Fall of Paramount Records: A Great Migration Story, 1917–1932 by Scott Blackwood
• Tell It Like It Is by Aaron Neville
• Hot Time Blues: On the Trail of Long-Gone Blues and Gospel Singers by Alex van der Tuuk
• Dynamite! Ike Turner's Recorded Legacy by Fred Rothwell
• Deep Inside the Blues: Photographs and Interviews by Margo Cooper
• The Chicago Blues of Jazz Gillum by By Guido van Rijn
• Big Joe Turner: Feel So Fine by Derek Coller
• Notes from the Road by Robert Mugge

Most Outstanding Blues Singer 

• Shemekia Copeland
• Trudy Lynn
• Sugaray Rayford
• Mavis Staples
• Diunna Greenleaf
• Oscar Wilson
• John Németh
• Stan Mosley
• Alabama Mike
• William Bell

Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) 

• Billy Branch
• Bob Corritore
• Phil Wiggins
• Big Harp George
• Mark Hummel
• Andrew Alli
• Charlie Musselwhite
• Rick Estrin
• Jason Ricci
• Omar Coleman

Click here for the winners

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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Local Bluesman Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne Wins Living Blues Award

For the 2nd year in a row, local Bluesman Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne has won the Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) award at the  Living Blues Awards. He's also signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records won.

Critics' Poll

• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Ontario)(signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, More Willie Dixon Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic
  
  
• Blues Artist of the Year (Male): John Primer
• Blues Artist of the Year (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Irma Thomas
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Charlie Musselwhite
• Most Outstanding Musician (Bass): Bob Stroger
• Most Outstanding Musician (Drums): Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
• Most Outstanding Musician (Horns): The Texas Horns
• Most Outstanding Musician (Other): Shardé Thomas (Fife)
• Best Live Performer: Bobby Rush
• Comeback Artist of the Year: Jimi “Prime Time” Smith
• Artist Deserving More Attention: Dylan Triplett

Album Awards

• Album of the Year: Diunna Greenleaf - I Ain’t Playin’
• Best New Recording / Contemporary Blues: Shemekia Copeland - Done Come Too Far
• Best New Recording / Traditional or Acoustic Blues: Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder - Get on Board
• Best New Recording / Soul Blues: Trudy Lynn - Golden Girl
• Best New Recording / Best Debut Release: Dylan Triplett - Who Is He?
• Best Historical Release / Pre-war: Tampa Red - The Guitar Wizard: The Tampa Red Collection 1929–53
• Best Historical Reissue / Postwar: Elmore James - The Sky Is Crying: The Ultimate Collection
• Best Blues Book of 2022: The Blues Dream of Billy Boy Arnold (Billy Boy Arnold with Kim Field)
• Producer of the Year / New Recording: Will Kimbrough - (Shemekia Copeland - Done Come Too Far)
• Producer of the Year / Historical Reissue: Bill Dahl (Elmore James - The Sky Is Crying: The Ultimate Collection)

Readers' Poll

• Blues Artist of the Year (Male): Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
• Blues Artist of the Year (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Buddy Guy
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Charlie Musselwhite
• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Marcia Ball
• Best Live Performer: Buddy Guy
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Shemekia Copeland
• Best Blues Album of 2022 (New Release): Buddy Guy - The Blues Don’t Lie
• Best Blues Album of 2022 (Historical Recording): Elmore James - The Sky Is Crying: The Ultimate Collection
• Best Blues Book of 2022: Further on Up the Road: Traveling to the Blues (Martin Feldmann)

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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CONGRATS! Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne, Artist Signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records, Wins Living Blues Award

The 29th Annual Living Blues Awards were announced recently and Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, an artist signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records won.

Part 1: Critics' Poll

• Keyboard: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories, More Willie Dixon Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic
  
  
• Artist (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Artist (Male): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Bass: Bob Stroger
• Book: I Ain't Studdin' Ya: My American Blues Story by Bobby Rush with Herb Powell
• Comeback Artist: Johnny Tucker
• Deserving More Attention: Crystal Thomas
• Drums: Rodd Bland
• Guitar: Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Harmonica: Charlie Musselwhite
• Horns: James “Boogaloo” Bolden
• Live Performer: Bobby Rush
• Other Instrument: Cedric Watson (Accordion)
• Producer (New Recording): Tom Hambridge: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – 662
• Producer (Historical Recording): Tom Vickers: Chicago / The Blues / Today! 
• Singer: Sugaray Rayford

Album Awards

• Album: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – 662
• Contemporary: Now Dig This! - Crystal Thomas
• Debut: Buffalo Nichols – Buffalo Nichols
• Reissue/Pre War: Matchbox Bluesmaster Series, Set 1 (Various Artists)
• Reissue/Post War: Down Home Blues: Miami, Atlanta & the South Eastern States – Blues in the Alley (Various Artists)
• Southern Soul: Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra – Not in My Lifetime
• Traditional & Acoustic: Eric Bibb – Dear America

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Part 1: Readers' Poll

• Album: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – 662
• Album (Historical Recording): Jimmie Vaughan – The Jimmie Vaughan Story 
• Artist (Male): Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Artist (Female): Mavis Staples
• Book: King of the Blues: The Rise and Reign of B.B. King by By Daniel de Visé
• Guitar: Buddy Guy
• Harmonica: Charlie Musselwhite
• Keyboard: Marcia Ball
• Live Performer: Buddy Guy
• Singer: Mavis Staples

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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Previous (July 2022 Episode of 'Sold on Hamilton) - - - Next (Blues Blast Awards Nominations)

GOOD LUCK! Artists from Waterdown's Stony Plain Records Nominated for 2022 Living Blues Awards! VOTE NOW! Deadline June 15.

Voting is now open for the 2022 Living Blues Awards. Many talented artists signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records (including Ottawa's Sue Foley) are in the running. The voting survey allows for write ins, so feel free to add your favourites as well.

Click here to vote - deadline is June 15, 2022.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! 

Album (New Recordings)

• Pinky's Blues by Sue Foley (released by Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
  
  
  
  Links: Sue Foley, More Sue Foley Stories, Video above courtesy of Sue Foley
  
  
• 662 by Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Spider in My Stew by Bob Corritore & Friends
• You Gotta Have It by Tia Carroll
• Living in a Burning House by Selwyn Birchwood
• Now Dig This! by Crystal Thomas
• Be Ready When I Call You by Guy Davis
• Not in My Lifetime by Wee Willie Walker
• Sippnotized by Mr. Sipp
• Dear America by Eric Bibb
• Long as I Got My Guitar by Zac Harmon
• I Be Trying by Cedric Burnside
• Raisin' Cain by Chris Cain
• Surrender by Clarence Spady
• 75 and Alive by Johnny Tucker featuring Kid Ramos and the Allstars

Artist of the Year (Female)

• Sue Foley (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
• Maria Muldaur (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
  
  
  
  Links: Maria Muldaur, More Maria Muldaur Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Roots
  
  
• Mavis Staples
• Rhiannon Giddens
• Tia Carroll
• Shemekia Copeland
• Irma Thomas
• Lindsey Beaver
• Crystal Thomas
• Ana Popovic

Guitar

• Sue Foley (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
• Duke Robillard (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
  
  
  
  Links: Duke Robillard, More Duke Robillard Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Roots
  
  
• Lurrie Bell
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Buddy Guy
• Tinsley Ellis
• Mr. Sipp
• Kirk Fletcher
• Jimmy Johnson
• Eric Gales

Keyboard

• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records)
  
  
  
  Links: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, More Kenny "Blues Boss" Stories,  Video above courtesy of Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne - Topic
  
  
• Roosevelt Purifoy
• Victor Wainwright
• Eden Brent
• Marcia Ball
• Anthony Geraci
• Mitch Woods
• Leon Blue
• Johnny Iguana
• Erwin Helfer

Album (Reissue Recordings)

• The Henry Glover Story (Various Artists)
• Matchbox Bluesmaster Series, Set 1 (Various Artists)
• Down Home Blues: Miami, Atlanta & the South Eastern States – Blues in the Alley (Various Artists)
• Original West Side Chicago Blues Guitar: The Hip Linkchan Story, 1959-1988
• I Love to Jump the Boogie by Eddie "Guitar" Burns
• Chicago / The Blues / Today! (Various Artists)
• R&B in DC 1940-1960: Rhythm & Blues, Doo Wop, Rockin' Rhythm and More (Various Artists) 
• True Genius by Ray Charles
• The Jimmie Vaughan Story
• Rhythm and Blues in New Orleans: Selected Singles As and Bs 1949-1962 by Tommy Ridgley

Artist (Male)

• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Tommy Castro
• Bobby Rush
• Mr. Sipp
• Taj Mahal
• Sugaray Rayford
• Jimmy Johnson
• Bob Corritore
• Cedric Burnside
• Chris Cain

Book 

• The Last Soul Company: The Malaco Records Story by Rob Bowman
• The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture by Chris Thomas King
• The Texas Blues of Smokey Hogg by Guido van Rijn
• Timekeeper: My Life in Rhythm by Howard Grimes with Preston Lauterbach
• I Don't Like the Blues: Race, Place & the Backbeat of Black Life by B. Brian Foster
• I Ain't Studdin' Ya: My American Blues Story by Bobby Rush with Herb Powell
• New York City Blues: Postwar Portraits from Harlem to the Village and Beyond by Larry Simon
• King of the Blues: The Rise and Reign of B.B. King by Daniel de Vise

Harmonica

• Billy Branch
• Bob Corritore
• Phil Wiggins
• Kim Wilson
• Mark Hummel
• Andrew Alli
• Charlie Musselwhite
• Rick Estrin
• Sugar Blue
• Jason Ricci

Live Performer

• Taj Mahal
• Bobby Rush
• Shemekia Copeland
• Buddy Guy
• Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
• Victor Wainwright
• Cedric Burnside
• Crystal Thomas
• Jimmy Johnson
• Mr. Sipp

Singer

• Shemekia Copeland
• Don Bryant
• Trudy Lynn
• Sugaray Rayford
• Mavis Staples
• Diunna Greenleaf
• Crystal Thomas
• John Németh
• Johnny Tucker
• Robert Finley

Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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Previous (Mother's Day Videos)

News Roundup (Passings, Living Blues Award Winners, Patrick Ballantyne)

Festival of Friends Volunteer Mosche Freedman Passes

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News

Local

• CHCH Video: Nicole Coward
• Winners of the Niagara Jazz Fest Jazz 4 the Ages Contest
• Local Music Super Fan Gary DePodesta Passes

Living Blues Award Winners

Critic's Poll

• Artist (Male): Bobby Rush
• Artist (Female): Rhiannon Giddens
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: William Bell
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Lurrie Bell
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Billy Branch
• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Henry Gray
• Most Outstanding Musician (Bass): Bob Stroger
• Most Outstanding Musician (Drums): Cedric Burnside
• Most Outstanding Musician (Horns): Big Jay McNeely
• Most Outstanding Musician (Other): Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton (Banjo)
• Best Live Performer: Bobby Rush
  
  
  
  Links: Bobby Rush, More Bobby Rush Stories, Video above courtesy of MusicUCanSee
  
  
• Comeback Artist of the Year : William Bell
• Artist Deserving More Attention: Bruce “Mississippi” Johnson

Best Blues Albums of 2016

• Album: Lurrie Bell - Can’t Shake This Feeling
• New Recordings/Contemporary Blues: Toronzo Cannon -  The Chicago Way
• New Recordings/Southern Soul: William Bell – This Is Where I Live
• New Recordings/Best Debut: Anthony Sherrod and the Cornlickers – Right on Time
• New Recordings/Traditional and Acoustic: Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – It Is What It Is 
• Historical (Pre-war): Washington Phillips – Washington Phillips and His Manzarene Dreams
• Historical (Postwar): B.B. King – The Complete RPM–Kent Recordings Box

Various

• Book: Martin Hawkins – Slim Harpo: Blues King Bee of Baton Rouge
• DVD: Sherman Robertson – Takin’ You to Texas
• Producer (New Recording): Scott Billington (Bobby Rush – Porcupine Meat)
• Producer (Historical Recording): Michael Corcoran, April G. Ledbetter and Steven Lance Ledbetter (Washington Phillips and His Manzarene Dreamss)

Readers Poll

• Artist (Male): Buddy Guy
• Artist (Female): Shemekia Copeland
• Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar): Buddy Guy
• Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica): Charlie Musselwhite
• Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard): Marcia Ball
• Best Live Performer: Buddy Guy
  
  
  
  Links: Buddy Guy, More Buddy Guy Stories, Video above courtesy John Richardson
  
  
• Most Outstanding Blues Singer: Buddy Guy
• Album (New Release): Toronzo Cannon -  The Chicago Way
• Album (Historical Recording): B.B. King – The Complete RPM–Kent Recordings Box
• DVD: David “Honeyboy” Edwards – I’m Gonna Tell You Somethin’ That I Know
• Book: Alan Harper – Waiting for Buddy Guy: Chicago Blues at the Crossroads

World

• International Bluegrass Music Association Award Nominations

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The Adventures of Trebleclef the Music Loving Monkey

Trebleclef helped his daddy (Lou, our blogger) celebrate his birthday along with Trickbag at King West Bistro in Dundas

Click here for more pictures of the event.

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A few days after, he went to Gore Park in Hamilton to check out Andre Bisson and his incredible Band!

Click here for more pictures of the event.

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Featured Video

Links: Patrick Ballantyne, More Patrick Ballantyne Stories, Video above courtesy of Patrick Ballantyne

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Previous (Winners of the Niagara Jazz 4 the Ages Competition) - - - Next (Niagara Area Musicians Star in Band on a Couch YouTube Series)

News Roundup (Trickbag, Kitchener Blues Fest Vids, Tomi Swick and Joel Guenther)

Trebleclef now has his own Facebook page!

Please give him a like and/or a share! 

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News

Local

• CHCH Video: Emma Elena Grace

World

• Living Blues Award Winners

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

He was a very busy monkey! First, he made his first visit to the wonderful Jordan House (Niagara region) to check out his pals in Trickbag.

Selfie with Trickbag!

Click here for more pictures of the event.

Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, More Covers/Stories of the Band, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

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Our mascot also enjoyed a day out at the Kitchener Blues Fest.

Volunteers help make festivals more fun!

Click here for more pictures of the event.

Clips from the Festival:

Links: Moreland and Arbuckle,  Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous



Links: Eric Sardinas, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

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To top things off, Trebleclef visited the Festival of Friends in Ancaster, checked out their Music Museum and experienced some wonderful music.

Hangin' with Tomi Swick & Joel Guenther.  Great job guys!

Click here for more pictures of the event.



Links: Tomi Swick, More Tomi Swick Stories, Joel Guenther, More Joel Guenther Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous

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Previous (New JoJo Worthington Album) - - - Next (New Colour Film EP)

GOOD LUCK! The Late, Legendary Mel Brown's DVD Up for Living Blues Award! You Can Vote!

It's very rare for local musicians to be nominated for the Living Blues Awards but this year, the late, legendary Kitchener Bluesman, Mel Brown is up for Best Blues DVD of 2015 for the documentary Love Lost and Found.



Links: Mel Brown, More Mel Brown Stories, Video above courtesy of Peter Beacock

Also, Harmonica Shah, whose last few albums featured Hamilton guitar slinger Jack de Keyzer recieved a nod for Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica).



Links: Harmonica Shah, More Harmonica Shah Stories, Video above courtesy of Dimitris Koutsiaftis

You can help them win this prestigious award from the popular Blues magazine by voting online.  Click here to vote. Deadline is July 15, 2016!

GOOD LUCK!

Click here for the results.

DVD

• Mel Brown: Love Lost and Found: The Story of Mel Brown
• Otis Grand: Blues From The Heart
• Muddy Waters and Friends: Soundstage: Blues Summit in Chicago, 1974
• Lonnie Shields: The Blues Soul of Lonnie Shields

Harmonica

• Harmonica Shah 
• Bob Corritore 
• Billy Branch 
• Charlie Musselwhite 
• Phil Wiggins 
• Grady Champion 
• Charlie Sayles 
• Sugar Blue
• Omar Coleman 
• James Harman 

Artist (Male) Lurrie Bell  Buddy Guy  John Primer  Keb' Mo'  Taj Mahal  Mr. Sipp  Little Freddie King  Tommy Castro  Vasti Jackson  Leo Bud Welch  Artist (Female) Trudy Lynn  Janiva Magness  Ruthie Foster  Shemekia Copeland  Diunna Greenleaf  Jewel Brown  Rhiannon Giddens  Irma Thomas Ms. Jody  Dorothy Moore  Singer Buddy Guy  Diunna Greenleaf Otis Clay John Németh Irma Thomas Joseph "Smokey" Holman Wee Willie Walker Mighty Sam McClain Trudy Lynn Johnny Rawls Guitar Lurrie Bell  Duke Robillard Joe Louis Walker Walter "Wolfman" Washington Buddy Guy  Lucky Peterson Classie Ballou Lil' Buck Sinegal Jimmy Johnson Jimmy Burns Keyboard Eden Brent  Marcia Ball  Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne  Allen Toussaint Henry Gray Ironing Board Sam David Maxwell Barrelhouse Chuck Victor Wainwright Mitch Woods Live Performer Super Chikan Shemekia Copeland Bobby Rush Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials Buddy Guy Ruthie Foster Tab Benoit Victor Wainwright The Cedric Burnside Project Mr. Sipp Album (New) Shemekia Copeland: Outskirts of Love Buddy Guy: Born To Play Guitar Mr. Sipp: The Mississippi Blues Child Wee Willie Walker: If Nothing Ever Changes Omar Coleman: Born and Raised Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King: Fat Man's Shine Parlor James Harman: Bonetime Various Artists - Muddy Waters 100 Henry Gray and Bob Corritore: Sessions Vol. 1: Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest The Cedric Burnside Project: Descendants of Hill Country Album (Reissue) Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection Various Artists: Parchman Farm: Photographs and Field Recordings, 1947-1959 J. B. Hutto: Hawk Squat Tampa Red: Dynamite! The Unsung King of the Blues Various Artists: Acoustic Blues: The Roots of It All The Definitive Collection Vols. 1-4 Bobby Rush: Chicken Heads: A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush Book Grady Gaines with Rod Evans: I've Been Out There: On the Road with Legends of Rock 'n' Roll Jas Obrecht: Early Blues: The First Stars of Blues Guitar Preston Lauterbach: Beale Street Dynasty: Sex, Song, and the Struggle for the Soul of Memphis Blues Unlimited: Essential Interviews From the Original Blues Magazine  Peter Guralnick: Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll Barry Mazor: Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular Roots Music Blast From the Past: Our Review of the Mel Brown DVD Links: Living Blues, More Living Blues Awards Stories

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Previous (Steven Trevor Jones Debut CD) - - - Next (Terra Lightfoot Up for SOCAN Songwriting Prize)