In early April, a group of Blues music industry professionals including music critics, journalists, festival promoters, music venue managers, producers, musicians and other Blues music industry professionals nominated the best in Blues music in twelve categories. The Blues Blast Music Awards are presented by Blues Blast Magazine. The complete list of nominees is listed below and is also available at their website.
Fan voting to determine the winners begins July 1, 2018 and continues until August 31, 2018 on our website. Voting is free and open to anyone who is a Blues Blast Magazine subscriber. Subscriptions are always free and you are automatically signed up as part of the voting process on our website.
The 2018 Blues Blast Awards ceremonies will be held on September 29th, at Tebala Event Center in Rockford, Illinois. Tickets and complete information on lodging and directions are available at The Blues Blast Music Awards website.
The 2018 Blues Blast Music Award nominees:
Contemporary Blues Album
Victor Wainwright & The Train – Self Titled
Selwyn Birchwood – Pick Your Poison
Chis Cain – Self titled
Danielle Nicole – Cry No More
Bernard Allison – Let It Go
Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind – Approved By Snakes
Traditional Blues Album
The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling – The High Cost of Low Living
Kim Wilson – Blues And Boogie Vol 1
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats – Groovin’ In Greaseland
Oscar Wilson – One Room Blues
The Cash Box Kings – Royal Mint
Mud Morganfield – They Call Me Mud
Soul Blues Album
Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra – After A While
Johnny Rawls – Waiting For The Train
Bettye LaVette – Things Have Changed
Benny Turner – My Brother’s Blues
Markey Blues & Ric Latina Project – Raised In Muddy Water
Ivy Ford – Time To Shine
Rock Blues Album
Walter Trout – We’re All In This Together
Albert Castiglia – Up All Night
Tinsley Ellis – Winning Hand
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers – Stompin’ Ground
Ghost Town Blues Band – Backstage Pass
Savoy Brown – Witchy Feelin’
Acoustic Blues Album
Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager – Rough Cut
Doug MacLeod – Break The Chain
Mitch Woods – Friends Along The Way
Daniel Eriksen – Narrative Boogie
Sonny Landreth – Recorded Live In Lafayette
Sunny Lowdown – Down Loaded
Live Blues Recording
Sonny Landreth – Recorded Live In Lafayette
John Mayall – Three For The Road
Ghost Town Blues Band – Backstage Pass
Muddy Waters – Live At Rockpalast
Nick Schnebelen – Live In Kansas City
Casey Hensley – Live Featuring Laura Chavez
Historical or Vintage Recording
Muddy Waters – Live At Rockpalast
Luther Allison Box Set
Johnny Nicholas – Too Many Bad Habits
Paul Delay – Live at Notodden ’97
Reverend Raven & The CSAB – My Life – Twentieth Anniversary
New Artist Debut Album
Patrick Recob – Perpetual Luau
Ben Levin – Ben’s Blues
Heather Newman – Burn Me Alive
Casey Hensley – Live Featuring Laura Chavez
Orphan Jon – Abandoned No More
Ilya Portnov Strong Brew
Blues Band
The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
The Cash Box Kings
Ghost Town Blues Band
Welch Ledbetter Connection
Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy
Male Blues Artist
Victor Wainwright
Chis Cain
Walter Trout
Oscar Wilson
Kid Ramos
Benny Turner
Female Blues Artist
Danielle Nicole
Shaun Murphy
Samantha Fish
Bettye LaVette
Beth Hart
Karen Lovely
Sean Costello Rising Star Award
Ben Levin
Joyann Parker
Orphan Jon
Ivy Ford
Heather Newman
