On May 14, 2026, renowned Alabama blues musician Debbie Bond is to be awarded the Alabama Arts Impact award by the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA). Every other year, ASCA shines a spotlight on exceptional Alabamians and their contribution to arts and creativity in the state, across the nation and around the world. The program highlights appreciation for artistry and creativity and the people who make it possible through their tireless dedication, and remarkable achievements playing a significant role in shaping Alabama’s cultural landscape.
ABOUT
A blues singer, songwriter, and guitar player, Debbie has worked over the past 47 years performing, educating, promoting and archiving the rich blues heritage of Alabama in the US and Europe.
She began her career sharing her band with legendary bluesman Johnny Shines, and went on to tour the US and Europe with many other Alabama bluesman, most notably the late, great Willie King. While working as a performing musician, she also dedicated herself to promote and preserve the state’s rich blues heritage through the Alabama Blues Project (ABP), a non-profit arts organization which she founded. As well as presenting many Alabama blues showcases, the ABP also presented hundreds of school blues education programs, created a touring blues history exhibitions, and developed a unique blues archive to support research and preservation work.
Over the years, Debbie has consulted on many films and books and most recently assisted with artifacts and information for the only exhibition in the world on Alabama blues, at the Maison Du Blues Museum in France. She has been a tireless ambassador for the state’s rich blues heritage!
HER WORKS
Her work has garnered numerous awards, including a presidential Coming Up Taller Award for her blues education programs working with at-risk children, and a Keeping the Blues Alive Award from the Blues Foundation. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame named her a “Blues Achiever,” and she has been inducted into the international Blues Hall of Fame.
LATEST RELEASE
More recently, she was nominated in 2023 for “Best International Blues Act” by the UK Blues Federation. Her latest release, Live at the Song Theater, was chosen by the EU Jazz and Blues Federation in their top 10 releases for 2025.
Debbie continues to perform and tour internationally, including a 2025 tour with Alabama blues woman Carroline Shines, the daughter of Johnny Shines, and she continues to passionately educate and inform about all things Alabama blues.
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