Bman's Blues Report: Delta Groove Needs Your Support!

There are only a few days left to vote for your favorite Delta Groove & Eclecto Groove artists in the 2012 Blues Music Awards. We are proud to have 10 Delta Groove artists nominated for a total of 14 awards in 12 categories! The 33rd annual award ceremony will take place at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, TN on May 10th, 2012. Show your support for your favorite artists and releases by voting today! To register and become a member of The Blues Foundation and be eligible to vote for your favorite artists, please visit the Blues Foundation website at www.blues.org.

VOTING ENDS THURSDAY, MARCH 1ST 2012!
We encourage you all to become a member of the Blues Foundation and vote! If you aren't yet a
member, click here to sign up and be eligible to vote for the 2012 Annual Blues Music Awards.

2012 Blues Music Award Delta Groove Nominees are:

TRACY NELSON
"VICTIM OF THE BLUES"
Album featuring Angela Strehli, Marcia Ball, John Cowan, and more!

NOMINATIONS:
- Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)
- Traditional Blues Album

"Tracy Nelson isn't so much a singer as she is a force field — a blues practitioner of tremendous vocal power and emotional range." - Alanna Nash, Entertainment Weekly

"…a bad white girl…" - Etta James, from her autobiography, Rage To Live

"Tracy Nelson proves that the human voice is the most expressive instrument in creation." - John Swenson, Rolling Stone

ANA POPOVIC
"UNCONDITIONAL"
Album featuring Sonny Landreth, Jason Ricci, and more!

NOMINATIONS:
- Contemporary Blues Album
- Contemporary Blues Female Artist

"Her Strat-driven blues variations range from high octane SRV-style throwdowns to electric slide-and-wah excursions to Ronnie Earl-inspired jazziness and acoustic Delta stomps." – Guitar Player Magazine

"…her playing is a melting pot in the best sense, combining jazzy inflections, rockier stylings, fluent runs and muscular string bends to impressive effect." – Guitarist Magazine

"Ana Popovic is a fine example of a blues artist who takes new directions while remaining true to the essence of the genre" – Blues Revue Magazine

CANDYE KANE
"SISTER VAGABOND"
Album featuring Laura Chavez, James Harman, Nathan James, and more!

NOMINATIONS:
- B.B. King Entertainer
- Contemporary Blues Female Artist

"A Blues Diva of the 20th century who can liven up any party without shedding a stitch." – People Magazine

"This tough cookie wails with a rousing confidence, affirmation of identity, the courage of her convictions and wisdom beyond her years." - Downbeat Magazine

"Laura Chavez is not just a rising star. She's already arrived." - Vintage Guitar

"A voice that is a natural wonder – like the Grand Canyon." – The Washington Post

BIG PETE
"CHOICE CUTS"
Album featuring Johnny Dyer, Kim Wilson, Paul Oscher, Al Blake, Kirk Fletcher, Kid Ramos, Shawn Pittman, Rusty Zin, John Marx, Mojo Mark, Rob Rio, and more!

NOMINATIONS:
- Best New Artist Debut

"…Holland's best kept secret…" – Blues In The Northwest

"…harmonica influences of William Clarke, Al Blake, and Lester Butler, and a sweet, full-toned natural voice." – American Blues Blog

"The sessions were simply incredible. A lot of deep blues got put down." – Alex Schultz

MIKE ZITO
"GREYHOUND"
Album featuring Anders Osborne!

NOMINATIONS:
- Rock Blues Album

"…his fiery Strat playing elevates each and every song, as do the swallow-your-emotions vocals." – Vintage Guitar

"…one of the finest, most creative musicians on the competitive blues-roots scene." – Blues Revue Magazine

"His music flows into the veins and moves the body in ways that can only be described as free and wild…" – Jazz Times

"The lyrics are great, the musicianship is superb, but Zito's voice is the real surprise. Gritty, thick, and expressive, Zito delivers his lyrics with heart and soul…" – The Celebrity Café