Post by Dennis M. Kelly on Apr 25, 2005 12:05:38 GMT -6
If you haven't already made plans to attend this year's 26th annual W.C. Handy Awards in Memphis, what are you waiting for? It's going to be a star-studded event, with appearances by some of the greatest names in blues.
You want old school? James Cotton, Robert Lockwood Jr., Hubert Sumlin and Honeyboy Edwards are just some of the blues legends who will be in attendance at the 26th annual W.C. Handy Awards. The event will be held Thursday, May 5, 2005 at the Cook Convention Center Ballroom. Want to hear some big band in your blues? Try Big Joe Duskin or Calvin Owens. Some gospel? Try Mavis Staples or The Holmes Brothers. Texas? Smokin' Joe Kubek. "We will have it all this year, including a record number of nominee performances, the pairings that only happen at the Handys and some very special surprises," said Blues Foundation Board President, Kevin Kane. "Last year's event won critical acclaim and we anticipate another night to remember," he added. Presented by The Blues Foundation and, for the 11th year, Gibson Guitars and Baldwin Pianos are the presenting sponsors of the W.C. Handy Blues Awards.
Universally recognized as the highest honor given to blues artists, the festivities will kick off with a VIP pre-party at 5:30 p.m. followed by the awards and performances that promises all in attendance a night to remember. More than 50 nominees are scheduled to attend, and most will perform. The Blues Foundation predicts that almost all W.C Handy Blues Award winners will be on hand to collect their Handy statues.
In addition to the Handy awards, legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will feature a piano extravaganza and presentation by Ike Turner.
The Blues Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving blues history, celebrating blues excellence and supporting blues education. It is the umbrella organization for a worldwide network of 135 affiliated blues societies and has individual memberships around the globe.
Event tickets are $100 per person and include a seated dinner.
For more information or to purchase tickets, log onto www.blues.org.
A complete listing of 2005 Handy nominees expected to appear follows.
Andra Faye
Big Joe Duskin
Billy Branch
Bob Margolin
Bob Stroger
Bobby Rush
Calvin Owens
Charles Wilson
Charlie Musselwhite
Daryl Davis
Dave Maxwell
David "Honeyboy" Edwards
Deborah Coleman
Diunna Greenleaf
E.G. Kight
Gary U.S. Bonds
Greg Piccolo
Guitar Shorty
Hubert Sumlin
Ike Turner
Janiva Magness
Jon Cleary
Jessie Mae Hemphill
Jim Tullio
Jody Williams
Kenny Neal
Koko Taylor
Little Milton
Lurrie Bell
Marcia Ball
Mavis Staples
Michael Powers
Mitch Woods
Mookie Brill
Nora Jean Bruso
Otis Taylor
Paul Oscher
Pinetop Perkins
Robert Jr. Lockwood
Sam Carr
Sam Lay
Sam Myers
Shemekia Copeland
Smokin' Joe Kubek
Tad Robinson
The Bo-Keys
The Holmes Brothers
Watermelon Slim
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Willie Kent
You want old school? James Cotton, Robert Lockwood Jr., Hubert Sumlin and Honeyboy Edwards are just some of the blues legends who will be in attendance at the 26th annual W.C. Handy Awards. The event will be held Thursday, May 5, 2005 at the Cook Convention Center Ballroom. Want to hear some big band in your blues? Try Big Joe Duskin or Calvin Owens. Some gospel? Try Mavis Staples or The Holmes Brothers. Texas? Smokin' Joe Kubek. "We will have it all this year, including a record number of nominee performances, the pairings that only happen at the Handys and some very special surprises," said Blues Foundation Board President, Kevin Kane. "Last year's event won critical acclaim and we anticipate another night to remember," he added. Presented by The Blues Foundation and, for the 11th year, Gibson Guitars and Baldwin Pianos are the presenting sponsors of the W.C. Handy Blues Awards.
Universally recognized as the highest honor given to blues artists, the festivities will kick off with a VIP pre-party at 5:30 p.m. followed by the awards and performances that promises all in attendance a night to remember. More than 50 nominees are scheduled to attend, and most will perform. The Blues Foundation predicts that almost all W.C Handy Blues Award winners will be on hand to collect their Handy statues.
In addition to the Handy awards, legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will feature a piano extravaganza and presentation by Ike Turner.
The Blues Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving blues history, celebrating blues excellence and supporting blues education. It is the umbrella organization for a worldwide network of 135 affiliated blues societies and has individual memberships around the globe.
Event tickets are $100 per person and include a seated dinner.
For more information or to purchase tickets, log onto www.blues.org.
A complete listing of 2005 Handy nominees expected to appear follows.
Andra Faye
Big Joe Duskin
Billy Branch
Bob Margolin
Bob Stroger
Bobby Rush
Calvin Owens
Charles Wilson
Charlie Musselwhite
Daryl Davis
Dave Maxwell
David "Honeyboy" Edwards
Deborah Coleman
Diunna Greenleaf
E.G. Kight
Gary U.S. Bonds
Greg Piccolo
Guitar Shorty
Hubert Sumlin
Ike Turner
Janiva Magness
Jon Cleary
Jessie Mae Hemphill
Jim Tullio
Jody Williams
Kenny Neal
Koko Taylor
Little Milton
Lurrie Bell
Marcia Ball
Mavis Staples
Michael Powers
Mitch Woods
Mookie Brill
Nora Jean Bruso
Otis Taylor
Paul Oscher
Pinetop Perkins
Robert Jr. Lockwood
Sam Carr
Sam Lay
Sam Myers
Shemekia Copeland
Smokin' Joe Kubek
Tad Robinson
The Bo-Keys
The Holmes Brothers
Watermelon Slim
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Willie Kent