CHAMPAIGN, IL – The 2015 Blues Blast Music Awards ceremonies were held at The Fluid Events Center in Champaign, Illinois. September 25th, 2015 and honored contemporary Blues artists and their recordings. The awards ceremony also featured music by many of the artists nominated.

Artists with major labels and indie artists are eligible to be considered. The eligibility period for specific recordings is music released from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015 and entries are reviewed by a panel of 30 nominators. Categories such as Male Blues Artist, Female Blues Artist, Blues Band and the Rising Star Award are not tied to these specific dates but instead are based on a nominator’s recent observations of performances of touring artists over the past year. Winners are chosen by fan vote.

The 2015 Blues Blast Winner are…

Contemporary Blues Album

Elvin Bishop – Can’t Even Do Wrong Right

Traditional Blues Album

Mud Morganfield & Kim Wilson – For Pops

Soul Blues Album

Otis Clay & Johnny Rawls – Soul Brothers

Rock Blues Album

Tinsley Ellis – Tough Love

Acoustic Blues Album

Steve Earle & The Dukes – Terraplane

New Artist Debut Album

Magnus Berg – Cut Me Loose

Live Blues Album

John Mayall – Live in 1967

Historical / Vintage Album

John Mayall – Live in 1967

Blues Band

Mississippi Heat

Male Blues Artist

Elvin Bishop

Female Blues Artist

Marcia Ball

Sean Costello Rising Star Award

Selwyn Birchwood