Here Are the Winners of the 2019 Blues Music Awards

The Blues Foundation has announced the winners of the 2019 Blues Music Awards, and we’ve got the complete list for you right here!

The Winners

The award ceremony for the 39th annual Blues Music Awards was held in Memphis, Tennessee on May 9, 2019. This year’s event saw a wide variety of artists take home awards in various categories. Some of the big winners included Buddy Guy, who won the prestigious B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award, as well as Shemekia Copeland, who won Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year.

Album of the Year

The Blues Music Awards are held every year to recognize outstanding achievement in the blues genre. This year, the award for Album of the Year went to Shemekia Copeland for her album America’s Child.

Copeland is a prolific and celebrated blues artist, and her album America’s Child is a masterful blend of blues, soul, and country. The album features special guests such as Willie Nelson, Steve Cropper, and John Prine.

Copeland’sAmericas Child is a beautiful and powerful album that deserves its place as the Blues Music Award Album of the Year.

Band of the Year

The Blues Music Awards are musical awards presented to musicians, industry members, and producers involved in the blues genre. The awards ceremony is held annually in Memphis, Tennessee. The 2019 ceremony was held on May 9, 2019.

Band of the Year:
The Wood Brothers

Best New Artist Debut

Best New Artist Debut – Cory Hendrix

Cory Hendrix’s debut album “The American Dream” was released to critical acclaim in 2018. Cory’s soulful voice and dynamic stage presence have won him a loyal following among blues fans. His hard-hitting vocals and fiery guitar playing showcase his talent as a true blues artist.

The Nominees

The annual Blues Music Awards, aka “The BMA’s”, are handed out by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. The awards are determined by votes from Blues Foundation members, who are active in the music industry. This year’s nominees were announced on January 9, 2019, and the awards will be handed out on May 9, 2019.

Album of the Year

The nominees for Album of the Year are:
-Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection
-The Allman Betts Band – Down To The River
-Gary Clark Jr. – This Land
-Delbert McClinton and Self-Made Men+Dana – Tall, Dark, & Handsome
-Southern Avenue – Keep On
And the winner is… Gary Clark Jr. – This Land!

Band of the Year

The Blues Foundation is proud to announce the 2019 Blues Music Award nominees in 37 categories. The complete list of nominees reflects the diverse talent within the blues community and the wide range of styles that come under the blues umbrella. This year’s nominees hail from all corners of the United States as well as Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, and the United Kingdom.

Nominees for Band of the Year include:
-Tommy Castro & The Painkillers
-The Nick Moss Band
-Southern Avenue
-Victor Wainwright and The Train
-Walter Trout

Best New Artist Debut

The nominees for Best New Artist Debut are:
-Garrett Tucker
-Maggie Koerner
-Nolan Bishop
-The Sean Chambers Band
-Tullie Brae

Garrett Tucker’s self-titled album combines elements of country, rock, and blues to create a unique sound that is all his own. Maggie Koerner’s album “Quit Cryin'” is a soulful mix of R&B, blues, and pop that is sure to get your toes tapping. Nolan Bishop’s debut album “Bad Habits” is a high energy blend of rock and roll and blues that is sure to get you up and moving. The Sean Chambers Band’s album ” Trouble & Whiskey” is a hard hitting collection of blues tunes that will keep you coming back for more. Tullie Brae’s album “Why Do We Do What We Do” is a collection of soulful ballads and bluesy jams that will stay with you long after the last note has been played.

The Awards Show

The award show was held in Memphis, Tennessee on May 9th, 2019. The event was hosted by the Blues Foundation. This year’s winners are:

The Host

The 2019 Blues Music Awards were hosted by Shemekia Copeland and Taj Mahal. The event was held at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

The Performances

The night started with a bang as The Nighthawks paid tribute to the late Chuck Brown with a stripped down, acoustic rendition of his most famous song, “Bustin’ Loose.” The Nighthawks were followed by the always soulful Kenny Neal, who delivered a stirring performance of blues standards like “Five Long Years” and “Born With the Blues.” Neal was joined on stage by his son, Freddy, for a rousing duet of Elmore James’ “The Sky is Crying.”

Next up was Shemekia Copeland, who took the stage with her full band to perform a trio of songs from her critically acclaimed album America’s Child. Copeland brought the house down with her powerhouse vocals and stage presence, ending her set with a cover of John Prine’s “Summer’s End.”

The legendary Bobby Rush closed out the night with a high-energy performance featuring songs from his latest album Sitting on Top of the Blues. Rush had the crowd on their feet and dancing in the aisleways with his mixture of blues, R&B, and funk. He ended his set with a rousing cover of James Brown’s “I Feel Good.”

The Presenters

The Awards Show will feature a variety of presenters, including some of the biggest names in the blues. Here are the presenters for the 2019 Blues Music Awards:

-B.B. King
-Albert Collins
-Etta James
-Koko Taylor
-Buddy Guy