Songsurfer Records artist: Shawn Kellerman - Kell's Kitchen - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Kell's Kitchen, from Shawn Kellerman and it's an aggressive rocker with a lot of bite. Opening with hard driving, SKB, Shawn  Kellerman on lead vocal, and guitar, this track is really humming. With Carlton Campbell on drums, Terry Richardson on bass, Lance Anderson on Wurlitzer, and with the addition of Miku Graham, Saidah Baba Talibah, Emily Fennell and Meghan Parnell on vocal, this track is cranking! Excellent opener. Funky, Show Me What You Got, features Kellerman on lead vocal and playing some pretty tight guitar. Richardson on bass really funks it up and Van Romaine knows how to hold down the drums. Fennell and Parnell on backing vocal are joined by Jon Knight for a real party.  Bad Mamma Jamma is a great mix of funk and rock with Kellerman doing the lyrics and Anderson on B3 and Romaine on drums really kicking it up. Kellerman lays down a real nice guitar solo showing his complete ability to morph from style to style. Very cool. Shuffle, Mac & Cheese has a solid blues foundation with snappy drum work by Romaine and Lance Anderson on keys. Kellerman is wild on vocals and his guitar work is a total frolic. I love Jason Ricci's work and his harmonica work and attitude on You're Gonna Learn From This One really makes this track standout with a perfect interface with Kellerman on vocal and guitar. Wrapping the release is Living Off The Love You Give with a R&B feel. Noah Allard helps on backing vocals and Lucky Peterson adds some signature B3 work. Ray Podhomik on trumpet punches up the track with some hot trumpet and with Andrew Blaze Thomas on drums Kellerman takes it home with some straight up rock riffs. Really cool release. 

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Woodward Avenue Records artist: Brothers Brown - Nowhere Left To Go - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nowhere To Go, from Brothers Brown and it's a cool mix of rock, country and blues. Opening with Junior's Back, a country rocker features LA Paul Brown on lead guitar and vocal with Brother Paul Brown (Nashville) on B3 and piano, David Santos on bass and vocal, Peter Young on drums and vocals. With a Marshall Tucker kind of feel, with nicely blended vocals and complimentary guitar lead, this is a solid opener. On title track, Nowhere Left To Go, Santos lays down a real nice droning bass line and with Bobby Rush on lead vocal paired with Santos on vocal, LA trading guitar riffs with Nashville Paul, this is a strong radio track. LA Brown, Santos and Young really do I nice job harmonizing on High Up On The Mountain with warm keyboard work by Nashville Brown carrying the weight. A melodic guitar solo by LA Brown creates a creamy feel. Very nice.  Lightly funky, Whatcha Gonna Do, has a cool, bouncy rhythm and pop melody and vocals. Swampy, Snakehole Road, really has a nice bottom, compliments Santos and Young and the Browns really work it on vocal, organ and real nice lead guitar by LA Brown. Wrapping the release is Fifteen Minutes, is an extended slow jam built over a basic bass and drum setup by Santos and Young. Starting slowly and quietly with Nashville Brown on B3 and then adding melodic lead guitar by LA Brown. This track builds slowly adding more intensity and volume by each player until the big sendoff . Solid closer. 

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Quarto Valley Records: Heavenly Cream - An Acoustic Tribute To Cream - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Heavenly Cream - An Acoustic Tribute To Cream and it's a solid cover of much of Cream's catalog by top name artists. Opening with I Feel Free, Deborah Bonham, John's sister has the lead vocals, backed by Bernie Marsden on guitar, Malcolm Bruce (Jack's son) on piano, Neil Murray on bass and Frank Tontoh on drums. Solid opener. Theme For An Imaginary Western, written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown is fronted by Brown on vocal and backed by Clem Clemson  (Humble Pie) and Malcolm Bruce on guitars, John Donaldson on piano, Mo Foster on piano, and Cheryl Alleyne on drums. This is a great track and always one of my favorites with Jacks vocals and played by Leslie West of Mountain. Ginger Baker penned, Sweet Wine, is a standout with Baker on drums Nathan James on vocal, Marsden on guitar, Mo Nazam on guitar, Bruce on bass, Pee Wee Ellis on sax, Henry Lowther on trumpet, and Abass Dodoo on percussion. Take It Back, another Bruce/Brown composition is prime with the illustrious Maggie Bell on lead vocal. Her vocals are as sweet as they were in the 60's and a perfect fit for this track with Marsden and Tony Remy on guitars, Bruce on piano, Winston Blissett on bass and Tontoh on drums. One of the classic blues tracks covered by Cream was Howlin Wolf's Sitting On Top Of The World. Here we have a dynamic duo with Bell teamed with Bobby Rush who also plays harmonica, supported by Marsden and Remy on guitars, Bruce on piano, Blissett on bass and Tontoh on drums. Wrapping the release is Born Under A Bad Sign featuring Paul Rogers on vocal. Marsden and Nazam on guitars, Bruce on bass and Moreno Buttinar on drums. This is an interesting release with a solid assemblage of talent. 

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Mizz Lowe Records artist: Mizz Lowe - Classy Woman - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Classy Woman, from Mizz Lowe and it's a funky, R&B blue party. Opening with Honey Tree, Mizz Lowe on lead vocal is joined by Bobby Rush on vocal, guitar and harmonica, Brother Paul Brown on Hammond, bass and drums and Paul Black on slide. Slinky, Easy Baby, has a soft approach with Lowe on vocal, Brown on bass, guitar and drums and Black wailing on slide. Very cool. Drink Drink is a cool shuffle with Lowe on vocal and Dexter Allen on guitar and bass. 4 Leaf Clover is the radio ballad for the track showcasing Lowe's vocals backed by Rush on harmonica and Brown on bass, drums and Fender Rhodes. This is a cool track with a solid melody. Wrapping the release is Christmas Tears, a nice seasonal track with warm vocals, bass, drums, Rhodes and percussion by Brown and Rush on harp. A solid closer. 

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Bob Corritore & Friends - Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, from Bob Corritore & Friends and it's another super release from Corritore. Opening with This Little Voice, Corritore, conjures so great harp tone on the intro with Jimi Primetime Smith on guitar and John Primer on vocal and guitar, backed by Bob Stroger on bass and Wes Starr on drums. Solid opener. Bobby Rush has the mic on I'm Good As Gone, a slinky R&B style blues with Smith and Dexter Allen on guitar, Chester Thompson on organ, and Steve Ferrone on drums. Very nice. Thornetta Davis is in charge on Remember Me and I gotta say, she's exceptional. I caught Davis when I went to see guitar master, Johnny Burgin and she really did a great job. Davis is joined here by Smith, Burgin, Keyes, Corritore, Stroger and Wes Starr. Very nice. Lurrie Bell leads off, Act Like You Love Me on vocal and guitar. A slow Chicago style blues with solid harp work by Corritore, is joined by Brian Fahey on drums, Troy Sandow on bass, and Bob Margolin on slide. Very nice. Francine Reed's unmistakable voice leads Draw Me Closer with it's gospel like feel. Her influence is strong, backed by Smith and Kid Ramos on guitar, Shea Marshall on organ, Bill Stuve on on bass, and Stephen Hodges on drums. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Let Me Find Out Your Name with Willie Buck on lead vocal, Billy Flynn on guitar, and some deep harmonica tones by Corritore, joined by Starr on drums, Stroger on bass, and Ben Levin on piano. This is a strong release chocked full of talent and soulful blues. 

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Sol Island Music artist: Johnny King & Friends - Call It Confusion - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Call It Confusion, from Johnny King & Friends and it's a great mix of rock, blues and soul. Opening with title track, Call It Confusion, Johnny King on lead vocal and with his BB King style phrasing gets this show on the road. Joined by Tony Coleman on drums, Billy Berberette on bass, Bobby Rush on harmonica and Shannon Wickline on keys, this is a strong opener. One of my favorite tracks on the release is slower blues, Lyric Fountain Station with it's heavy soulful opening and funky R&B rhythm. With it's B3 bottom and Latin percussion this track is a mover. With Rush, King, Coleman and Roanoke Voices Praise Team on vocals, Oh' My Captain has a terrific early gospel infused blues style with only a foot drum, Rush on harmonica and King on slide. Very cool. Strong lead guitar work on Recognition Blues, paired with horn backing by Rick Leatherman on sax, Steve Metzler on trombone, Dr Brennan Wood on trumpet, Roger Lewis on bari sax, Kevin Harris on tenor sax, Andrew Baham and Gregory Davis on trumpet gives this track a great this track a strong Otis Rush feel. Very nice.  Wrapping the release is a sold cover of Slim Harpo's I'm A King Bee with Rush on lead vocal and harmonica and King on slide. This is a cool closer for an enjoyable release.  

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Endless Blues Records artist: Mick Kolassa - They Call Me Uncle Mick! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, They Call Me Uncle Mick!, from Mick Kolassa and he's assembles a great group of musicians for his most recent set. Opening with Bo Carter's clever, My Pencil Won't Write No More, Kolassa on lead vocal and guitar, is joined by Eric Hughes on harmonica, Jeff Jensen on guitar, Tom Leonard on drums, Carl Caspersen on bass, and Rick Steff on piano for s super rag style opener. Original track, Used To Be, has a real nice bluesy feel with a solid strut. Steff's piano work, and with the addition of Doug McLeod on guitar has a cool acoustic groove. Slow shuffle, Why, another original by Kolassa, has a real nice feel, with some of Kolassa's best vocals and nice guitar work by Jensen and complimentary harmonica work by Hughes. Wrapping the release is country rocker, The Cheese Song, a simple story song nicely adorned by Curtis Gill on slide guitar. 

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RCA Records artist: Buddy Guy - The Blues Don't Lie - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, The Blues Don't Lie, from Buddy Guy and it's full of fire. Opening with I Let My Guitar Do The Talking, Guy shows all of the energy of his youth with terrific vocals and screaming guitar lead. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Reese Wynans on B3, Michael Rhodes on bass, Rob McNelley on electric guitr and Max Abrams and Steve Patrick on horns, this is a terrific opener. Slow blues classic, The World Needs Love really falls into Guy's prime wheelhouse with excellent vocals and his trademark sound on lead guitar. Joined by Hambridge on drums, Glen Worf on bass, Kevin McKendree on piano and McNelley on backing guitar, this track screams. Follow The Money pairs Guy with James Taylor, on lead vocal, Guy on acoustic guitars with Hambridge on drums, Wynans on Wurlitzer, Michael Rhodes on bass and McNelley on electric guitar. With it's JJ Cale approach to the blues, this is a nice juxtaposition for the release. Driving rocker, Well Enough Alone has real sting like Cream's rework of Robert Johnson's Crossroads. Guy grabs it and flys. Very hot. Romping blues, House Party has great feel with Guy paired with Wendy Moten on lead vocal. McNelley sets a great groove on guitar and Guy steps up with a real nice solo. Excellent! Another slow blues, Rabbit Blood, plays nicely into Guys vocal butter and features great guitar piano interplay with Guy and McKendree. Another solid addition. Wrapping the release is I'm A King Bee with Guy taking it way down on vocal and acoustic guitar alone. His vocals just get more smooth as he gets older and his acoustic playing is clear and ringing. This may be Buddy's best release in years. Excellent closer for an excellent release. 

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Patty Tuite - Hard Case of the Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hard Case of the Blues by Patty Tuite and its a full hand of country, blues and rock tunes. Opening with Nothin' But Trouble, Patty Tuite is upfront on lead vocal and rhythm guitar, with real nice slide guitar by Paul Nelson, harmonica by Bobby Rush, and with Jeff Armstrong on drums and David Johnson on bass. Glad I'm Through With You has a vampy, New Orleans blues sound with Brooks Milgate on keys, Rico Amero on trumpet and Justin Blackburn on drums. My Silent Love is a real nice track with Tuite layering her own guitar playing over her own guitar playing. This track is very soothing and may be my favorite on the release. Jazzy shuffle, I Want A Lover, features Milgate on piano providing a solid lead line under Tuite's sultry vocals with Paul Loranger on bass and Blackburn on drums. Wrapping the release is title track, Hard Case of the Blues, a real nice ballad featuring some of Tuite's best vocals on the release and some real nice stylized guitar work by Nelson. This is a cool track to close a solid release. 

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Blue Heart Records artist: Tony Holiday - Porch Sessions Volume 2 - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Porch Sessions Volume 2, from Tony Holiday and it's a great Chicago style blues party. Opening with She's Tuff, Victor Wainwright and his rhythm section really get things rolling with Wainwright on vocal and piano and Holiday on harmonica. With plenty of attitude in presentation and this dynamic duo, this is a strong opener. Willie Buck has the mic on Honey Bee with Rusty Zinn on slide and Kim Wilson on harmonica. Zinn really conjurs Muddy's tone on guitar and Wilson's sound is fat and rich. Excellent! In more of a Delta styling on Recipe for Love Master, Bobby Rush on vocal and Vasti Jackson on guitar really make a great team serving up a heavy helping of blues. Very nice. Going to Court is a real hot number with James Harman on harmonica and Kid Ramos and Landon Stone laying down pure fire on guitar. Lurrie Bell teams up with harpmaster Mark Hummel on a shortened take on Everyday I Have The Blues but not without playing some blistering riffs. Ace guitar man Johnny Burgin and Holiday play Bad Bad Girl with Kid Andersen on bass. With it's 2 step rhythm, this track is a nice change up. Rae Gordon adds a lot of spice on lead vocals on shuffle,  Find Me When The Sun Goes Down complimented by Holiday on harmonica and backed by her own band. Ben Rice does a real nice job on That's How I Learned with his ultrasoulful vocals and deft acoustic steel resonator accompaniment. Very nice. Mark Hummel & Dennis Gruenling do a great duet on Cake Walk a terrific harmonica shuffle. One of my favorites on the release. JD Taylor on harmonica and vocal and his son Alex do a really nice on Family Tree with harmonica/ guitar backing of a great blues vocal. I particularly like the way Alex plucks his guitar accents. Excellent! Wrapping the release is the lush gospel fused Peace Will Come by Memphis based Southern Avenue. To say that this release is packed with goodies would be an understatement. Very strong release.

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Gulf Coast Records/Hillside Global artist: Tito Jackson - Under Your Spell - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 6, 2021), Under Your Spell, by Tito Jackson and it blends modern funk, blues, pop and rock for his own style. Opening with Wheels Keep Turning, Jackson on lead vocal and guitar sets a pop pace joined by Michael Harris on drums, Michael K Jackson and Brandon Adams on keys, Darnell Neal on bass, Jason Parfait and Ian Smith on horns. I really like the horn work and slide guitar efforts by Jackson on this track. Heavy footed, Under Your Spell, has a great foot drum thump and with strong addition by Joe Bonamassa on guitar, Robert King on bass and sassy horn work by Parfait and Smith, this track has a great groove. R&B track, Big Leg Woman has a strong sax intro by Parfait, and gives Jackson a great chance to shine on lead vocal, features Kenny Neal on guitar with Jackson and keeps with the theme of ballsey horn throughout. My favorite track on the release is You're Gonna Push Me To Far with some really nicely stylized guitar "JG Watson" like work by KT Thomas. Very cool. George Benson is a standout on lead guitar on Rock Me Baby, a smooth, R&B take on BB King's classic track. Also featured are James "Boogaloo" Bolden on trumpet, Russell B Jackson on bass, Eric Demmer on sax, Wilber Crosby on lead guitar, lamar Boulet on trumpet, Darrell Lavigne on keys, Brandon Jackson on drums, and with Claudette King on lead vocal, Michael Lee and Tito Jackson on lead vocal and guitar. Wrapping the release is smooth soul track, I Got Caught (Loving In A Dream) with warm vocal harmionies and featurning Tito on guitar, Harris on drums, Brandon Adams on organ, synth bass and piano, Tyree Neal on guitar, and with pootent horn accents by Parfait and Smith. Solid closer. 

   

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Sandy Key Music artist: Jim Allchin - Prime Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Prime Blues, from Jim Allchin and it's quite good. Allchin, who is releasing his 4th studio release is really honing in on the perfect sound for him. Opening with R&B flavored blues number, Give It Up, featuring Allchin on lead vocal and guitar, peppered with punchy horn work by the Memphis Horns (Charles Rose, Jim Hoke, Steve Hermann and Doug Moffet). Allchin has really honed his tone and his chops have always been super. His backing band is tops with Bob Britt, Rob McNelley  and Kenny Greenberg on rhythm guitar, Tom Hambridge on drums, Glenn Worf on bass, Mycle Wastman on backing vocals and Kevin McKendree on keys. Strutting, Devil Don't Sleep really has a great feel with excellent lead work by Allchin and heavy B3 by McKendree. Jimmy's Boogie is a high energy boogie with a solid bass line by Worf and terrific piano work by McKendree over the tight drums of Hambridge giving Allchin free rein to play. Excellent! Mike Zito guests on lead vocal on Enough is Enough and the track has a hard driving country rock feel. Very nice! Solid shuffle, Found The Blues really finds Allchin in the slot with terrific lead lines and sounding really comfortable on lead vocal. B3 soloing by McKendree adds real beef to the track making it one of my favorites. Bobby Rush steps up on harp and vocal on Two Bad Dreams, a slow blues number with rich horn work by the Memphis Horns. Allchin digs deep showing real blues chops giving this track a stiff edge. Wrapping the release is cool, Albert King flavored, Logoff, with a cool Latin rhythm and stinging guitar riffs. Allchin has really learned to temper his vocals with style and warm backing vocals and electric piano by McKendree adds real spice to this solid closer. Very cool. 

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Americana Music Society - Red Hot: A Memphis Celebration Of Sun Records - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Red Hot: A Memphis Celebration Of Sun Records by the Americana Music Society and it's really cool. This recording, co-produced by singer-guitarist Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars and Tamara Saviano, the Nashville based writer-Producer and author of Without Getting Killed or Caught, with all proceeds to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Opening with swinging R&B track, John Paul Keith sings Red Cadillac and a Black Mustache featuring Jim Spate on soulful sax. Valerie June digs deep on Carl Perkin's Sure To Fall (In Love With You) joined by Jimbo Mathus and Amy laVere on backing vocals showing real American home grown country. Very nice. On Charlie Rich's Lonely Weekends, Shawn Camp takes the lead backed by spate on sax and Lauren Mascitti and John Paul Keith on backing vocals. Bryan Hayes is front and center on Charlie Rich's Ways of a Woman In Love backed by Emily Barker and Amy LaVere on backing vocals. This is a simple country tune and has great style. On Billy "The Kid" Emerson's R&B classic, Red Hot, Chuck Mead, Kevin Fonteyne, Drake Milligan and Jonah Lees rock it. Bobby Rush takes the blues right down main street with Tough Titty, one of my favorites on the release. Amy LaVere nails swing track, Ten Cats Down with real nice guitar soloing by Will Sexton and Emily Barker on backing vocals. Jimbo Mathus rocks Jerry Lee Lewis' High School Confidential. Mathus is in his own universe when he pours it on and he is channeling here. Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues gets a cool cover by Alvin Youngblood Hart with solid vocals and twangy guitar. Luther Dickinson brings on the Mississippi Hill sound on Howlin' Wolf''s Moanin' at Midnight. Joined by Lightnin' Malcolm on guitar, not only breathes a cool 6 min plus but extends to an addition jam for another 7. This is an excellent closer for a really nice release.
Another feature of this package is a super 15 page color insert with quips and humor. Very cool. 

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Bobby Rush's 'Chicken Heads' box set wins Blues Music Award in Memphis

BOBBY RUSH’S CHICKEN HEADS BOX SET ON OMNIVORE TAKES HOME “BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM” HONOR IN BLUES MUSIC AWARDS  Grammy Award-winning blues legend’s career compilation spans 50 years and more than 20 labels

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Chicken Heads: A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush box set, on Omnivore Recordings, won Best Historical Album at the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Awards (BMAs), held at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis on May 11. The BMAs are recognized as the highest honor given to blues musicians, and are awarded by the vote of Blues Foundation members. Nominated in multiple BMA categories for his new music throughout the night, Bobby Rush earlier this year also took home the Best Traditional Blues Grammy® for his latest release, Porcupine Meat. His lengthy career was the subject of the BMA-winning Chicken Heads, Omnivore’s four-CD, decades-spanning overview project.  The set contains over five hours of music culled from more than 20 labels including Rush’s Checker, Galaxy, and Jewel sides, through Philadelphia International, Malaco/Waldoxy, LaJam, and Urgent cuts, as well as material from his own Deep Rush label. Chicken Heads tells the story of Bobby Rush: unfiltered, unedited and unbelievable.

Bobby Rush, 1951 The 32-page, full-color booklet is filled with photos, ephemera, liner notes from Bill Dahl and testimonials from friends and fans including Mavis Staples, Keb’ Mo’, Elvin Bishop, Denise LaSalle, Leon Huff, Al Bell, and many more.  Produced by Rush himself along with Omnivore’s co-founder and Grammy®-winning producer Cheryl Pawelski; Jeff DeLia, Rush’s manager; and long-time publicist Cary Baker, Chicken Heads traces the bluesman’s career, from 1964’s “Someday” to the title track, from 1979 collaborations with Gamble & Huff to tracks from 2004’s FolkFunk. With mastering and restoration handled by Grammy® winner Michael Graves, Bobby’s vintage recordings have never sounded better. According to Omnivore’s Pawelski, “When you’ve played with Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Reed, you must be on to something. When you’ve had a multi-generational career in music, spanning blues, soul and funk, that’s something else.”   # # #

Chicken Heads co-produders Jeff DeLia, Cheryl Pawelski, Bobby Rush and Cary Baker

Blues Music Award nominees announced by the Blues Foundation; ceremony is May 11

THE BLUES FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 38TH BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES  Awards ceremony to be held May 11, 2017 in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Blues Foundation is pleased to announce the nominations for its annual Blues Music Awards, which the international organization will present on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded blues musicians, The Blues Music Awards upholds its rich cultural tradition by honoring the past year’s superior achievements in blues performance, songwriting, and recording. This annual ceremony represents the premier event for blues professionals, musicians, and fans around the globe.   Sugar Ray Norcia, individually, and collectively with his band, The Bluetones, received the most nominations with seven, including B.B. King Entertainer Award, Best Song, Best Album and Best Band. The total reaches ten with the inclusion of his Bluetones bandmates Monster Mike Welch (Instrumentalist-Guitar), Michael “Mudcat” Ward (Instrumentalist-Bass) and Anthony Geraci (Pinetop Perkins Piano Player). Chicago-based guitarist Toronzo Cannon garnered four nominations and he faces off against Norcia in both the Best Song and Best Album categories. Best Album probably ranks as the most competitive category, with Norcia and Cannon battling Bobby Rush, Kenny Neal, William Bell and the Nick Moss Band, who all have three nominations.   Several nominees will be defending their titles won at last year’s Blues Music Awards. Instrumentalist-Harmonica winner Kim Wilson is one of this year’s nominees, and Cedric Burnside might again claim the Instrumentalist-Drums crown. Shemekia Copeland and Bettye LaVette also return to the categories they won last year (Contemporary Blues Female Artist and Soul Blues Female Artist, respectively), while 2016’s Acoustic Artist winner, Doug MacLeod, is one of this year’s contenders too.    The Awards also honor the next generation of blues performers with the Best Emerging Artist Album category. In fact, two Emerging Artist nominees also are contenders for a second award. Detroit native Thornetta Davis’s “I Gotta Sang the Blues” is up for Best Song, while Terrie Odabi is competing against the likes of Bettye LaVette and Mavis Staples to be named Soul Blues Female Artist.   The complete list of 38th Blues Music Award nominees also can be found at the Blues Foundation’s website — www.blues.org. A ballot will soon be sent to all Blues Foundation members, as they have the privilege of deciding which nominees will actually take home a Blues Music Award in May. Anyone interested in casting a vote to decide this year’s winners may receive a ballot by joining or renewing their membership with The Blues Foundation at any time up to February 28, 2017.  The Blues Music Awards ceremony annually proves to be one of the year’s best shows. Not only does almost every nominee attend, but they also perform, creating a lineup featuring the best of the best in blues all in one evening. More information regarding membership, voting, ticket, and host hotel information can be found at www.blues.org or by calling 901.527.2583.   Major funding is provided by ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission.  The 38th Blues Music Awards are also sponsored by BMI, GET and I-55 Productions, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Sony/Legacy.     The Blues Foundation is Memphis-based, but world-renowned as THE organization whose mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.  Founded in 1980, The Blues Foundation has approximately 4000 individual members and 200 affiliated local blues societies representing another 50,000 fans and professionals around the world.  Its signature honors and events — the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame, International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards — make it the international center of blues music. Its HART Fund provides the blues community with medical assistance for musicians in need, while Blues in the Schools programs and Generation Blues Scholarships expose new generations to blues music. The recent opening of the Blues Hall of Fame Museum, in Memphis, TN, now adds the opportunity for music lovers of all ages to interact with the music and the history. For more information, log onto www.blues.org. 38th Blues Music Award Nominees Acoustic Album Doug MacLeod - Live in Europe Eric Bibb - The Happiest Man in the World Fiona Boyes - Professin' the Blues Jimmy “Duck” Holmes - Live at Briggs Farm John Long - Stand Your Ground Luther Dickinson - Blues and Ballads (A Folksinger's Songbook) Vol I and II Acoustic Artist Doug MacLeod Eric Bibb Fiona Boyes Jimmy “Duck” Holmes Luther Dickinson Album Bobby Rush - Porcupine Meat Kenny Neal - Bloodline Nick Moss Band - From the Root to the Fruit Sugar Ray & the Bluetones - Seeing is Believing Toronzo Cannon - The Chicago Way William Bell – This Is Where I Live           Band Golden State Lone Star Blues Revue Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials Nick Moss Band Sugar Ray and the Bluetones Tedeschi Trucks Band   B.B. King Entertainer Joe Bonamassa John Nemeth Lil’ Ed Williams Sugar Ray Norcia Sugaray Rayford Best Emerging Artist Album Corey Dennison Band - Corey Dennison Guy King - Truth Jonn Del Toro Richardson - Tengo Blues Terrie Odabi - My Blue Soul Thornetta Davis - Honest Woman Contemporary Blues Album Al Basile - Mid Century Modern Kenny Neal - Blood Line Nick Moss Band - From the Root to the Fruit The Record Company - Give It Back To You Toronzo Cannon - The Chicago Way Contemporary Blues Female Artist Alexis P Suter Ana Popovic Janiva Magness Shemekia Copeland Susan Tedeschi   Contemporary Blues Male Artist Albert Castiglia Kenny Neal Mike Zito Sugaray Rayford Toronzo Cannon Historical Album Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, A Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw, Bear Family Records B.B. King, More B.B. King: Here’s One You Haven’t Heard, Ace Records Bobby Rush, Chicken Heads: A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush, Omnivore Recordings Michael Burks, I’m A Bluesman, Iron Man Records Pinetop Perkins & Jimmy Rogers, Genuine Blues Legends, Elrob Records   Instrumentalist-Bass Biscuit Miller Bob Stroger Michael “Mudcat” Ward Patrick Rynn R W Grigsby   Instrumentalist-Drums Cedric Burnside Jimi Bott June Core Tom Hambridge Tony Braunagel Instrumentalist-Guitar Bob Margolin Joe Bonamassa Kid Andersen Monster Mike Welch Ronnie Earl  Instrumentalist-Harmonica Dennis Gruenling Jason Ricci Kim Wilson Mark Hummel Sugar Ray Norcia     Instrumentalist-Horn Al Basile Nancy Wright Sax Gordon Beadle Terry Hanck Vanessa Collier  Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female) Annika Chambers Diunna Greenleaf Inetta Visor Shaun Murphy Trudy Lynn Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Anthony Geraci Barrelhouse Chuck Henry Gray Jim Pugh Victor Wainwright Rock Blues Album of the Year Albert Castiglia - Big Dog Mike Zito - Keep Coming Back Moreland & Arbuckle - Promised Land or Bust Tedeschi Trucks Band - Let Me Get By Walter Trout - Alive in Amsterdam Song “Blues Immigrant” written by Matthew Skoller & Vincent Bucher and performed by Matthew Skoller on Blues Immigrant “I Gotta Sang The Blues” written and performed by Thornetta Davis on Honest Woman “Seeing Is Believing” written by Ray Norcia and performed by Sugar Ray & The Bluetones on Seeing Is Believing “Walk A Mile In My Blues” written by David Duncan, Curtis Salgado & Mike Finigan and performed by Curtis Salgado on The Beautiful Lowdown “Walk it Off” written and performed by Toronzo Cannon on The Chicago Way Soul Blues Album Bobby Rush - Porcupine Meat Curtis Salgado - The Beautiful Lowdown Johnny Rawls - Tiger in a Cage Wee Willie Walker - Live! Notodden Blues Festival William Bell - This Is Where I Live         Soul Blues Female Artist Bettye Lavette Lara Price Mavis Staples Terrie Odabi Vaneese Thomas Soul Blues Male Artist Bobby Rush Curtis Salgado Johnny Rawls Wee Willie Walker William Bell Traditional Blues Album Big Jon Atkinson & Bob Corritore - House Party at Big Jon's Bob Margolin - My Road Golden State Lone Star Blues Revue - Golden State Lone Star Blues Revue Lurrie Bell - Can't Shake This Feeling Sugar Ray & the Bluetones - Seeing is Believing Traditional Blues Male Artist Bob Margolin John Primer Lil’ Ed Williams Lurrie Bell Sugar Ray Norcia