CHAMPAIGN, IL – In early May, a group of 30 top Blues music industry professionals including music critics, radio DJs, journalists, festival promoters, music venue managers and owners and other Blues music industry professionals nominated the best in Blues music in twelve categories.

Voting is open to the public. Fan voting begins July 15, 2015 and continues until September 15, 2015 at Blues Blast Magazine website. Voting is free and open to anyone who is a Blues Blast Magazine subscriber. You do not have to be a current subscriber to vote! You are automatically signed up as part of the voting process on their website if you are not currently a subscriber. Blues Blast Magazine subscriptions are free and you may unsubscribe at anytime!

The 2015 Blues Blast Music Awards ceremonies will be held at The Fluid Events Center in Champaign, Illinois on Friday, September 25th, 2015. The awards ceremony will feature music by the artists nominated. Tickets for the event will go on sale in mid-July here.

A complete list of the 2015 Blues Blast Music Award nominees follows:

Contemporary Blues Album

• Linsey Alexander – Come Back Baby
• Altered Five Blues Band – Cryin’ Mercy
• Dave Specter – Message In Blue
• Elvin Bishop – Can’t Even Do Wrong Right
• Jarekus Singleton – Refuse To Lose
• Selwyn Birchwood – Don’t Call No Ambulance

Traditional Blues Album

• Mud Morganfield & Kim Wilson – For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters)
• Andy T – Nick Nixon Band – Livin’ It Up
• Sugar Ray & The Bluetones – Living Tear to Tear
• Mississippi Heat – Warning Shot
• Lynwood Slim – Hard To Kill
• The Cash Box Kings – Holding Court

Soul Blues Album

• D.A. Foster – The Real Thing
• Missy Andersen –  In the Moment
• Otis Clay & Johnny Rawls – Soul Brothers
• Robin McKelle & the Flytones – Heart Of Memphis
• Tad Robinson – Day Into Night
• Slam Allen – Feel These Blues

Rock Blues Album

• Tinsley Ellis – Tough Love
• Devon Allman   Ragged & Dirty
• Anthony Gomes – Electric Field Holler
• Royal Southern Brotherhood – heartsoulblood
• Jarekus Singleton – Refuse To Lose
• Bobby Messano – Love & Money

Acoustic Blues Album

• Doug MacLeod – Exactly Like This
• Dan Phelps – Going Home
• Big Dave Mclean – Faded But Not Gone
• Duo Sonics – N Ur Town
• Steve Earle & The Dukes – Terraplane
• Rory Block – Hard Luck Child

New Artist Debut Album

• Joakim Tinderholt – You Gotta Do More
• Magnus Berg – Cut Me Loose
• Big George Harp – Chromaticism
• Madison Slim – Close But No Cigar
• D.A. Foster – The Real Thing
• Markey Blue – Hey Hey
• Fo’ Real – Heavy Water
• Eight O’ Five Jive – Too Many Men

Live Blues Recording

• John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers – Live in 1967
• Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys – Live At The Red Rocket
• John Ginty – Bad News Travels Live
• Coco Montoya – Songs From The Road
• Brandon Santini – Live & Extended
• Chris O’Leary Band – Live At Blues Now

Historical or Vintage Recording

• Sean Costello – In The Magic Shop
• Lead Belly – Smithsonian Folkways Collection
• J.B. Hutto – Hawk Squat Deluxe Edition
• Jimmy Thackery – Extra Jimmies
• Junior Wells – Southside Blues Jam
• John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers – Live in 1967

Blues Band

• Ghost Town Blues Band
• Mississippi Heat
• The Mannish Boys
• Sugar Ray &The Bluetones
• The Cash Box Kings
• Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

Male Blues Artist

• Brandon Santini
• Bobby Rush
• Lynwood Slim
• Elvin Bishop
• John Németh
• Doug MacLeod

Female Blues Artist

• Gaye Abdegbalola
• Alexis P. Suter
• Debbie Davies
• Janiva Magness
• Missy Andersen
• Marcia Ball

Sean Costello Rising Star Award

• Altered Five Blues Band
• Jarekus Singleton
• Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
• Jeff Jensen
• Selwyn Birchwood
• Deb Ryder