I got dem 'took my name off those damn awards' blues....

If I were WC Handy, I'd be mighty pissed right now. I would also be dead, so the point would be moot. According to All Music Guide, WC Handy was "....the "Father of the Blues," (who) brought the music of rural Southern blacks into the mainstream by copyrighting old songs and writing new songs, spurring the blues into the mainstream of popular music during the 1910s and '20s. He was also a highly trained veteran of the music world who led all manner of groups: string quartets, brass bands, and a touring minstrel-show group."

The Blues Music Awards USED to be named after WC Handy. They are no longer, changed to bring broader visibility to the music. Actually, it makes perfect sense because no one knew what the awards meant when they were the "Handys." (Well, I guess that's why they call it the blues, WC.)

The Blues Foundation, based in Memphis TN, recently announced its 2006 nominees. "Among the veterans and newcomers nominated for the first time are Tab Benoit, Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, Rich Del Grosso, Sonny Landreth, Doug McLeod, Big James Montgomery, Sista Monica Parker, James “Blood” Ulmer and The Mannish Boys. Many artists racked up multiple nominations, but Marcia Ball, Magic Slim and the late Little Milton topped the list with four nominations each. Shemekia Copeland, Bobby Rush, Hubert Sumlin and Kim Wilson each had three nominations among the 25 album, artist, band and instrumentalist categories. For the first time, category names honor two living blues masters: B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year."

Upon perusing the listing of nominees, johnnykmusic notes that Maria Muldaur, Solomon Burke, Rory Block, and Marcia Ball are in my record/CD collection and have been seen in concert over the years.

I saw Maria Muldaur in the mid-70's at the old Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, CT (paired with Leon Redbone), again in the early 80's at 36 Lewis Street Restaurant in Hartford, CT (during her born-again period), and finally at the 2005 JazzFest in NOLA (part of an amazing tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe with Marcia Ball, Angela Strehli and Irma Thomas). I've always loved her music; those who think of her just in terms of the pop hit Midnight at the Oasis (check out the LP, very good) are missing a wonderful folk/blues performer. I have many of her recordings, going back to her jug-band music days with ex Geoff, and her latest, Sweet Lovin' 'Ol Soul, is a highly recommended early blues CD.


Solomon Burke opened for Van Morrison a couple years ago at the Oakdale and almost (SOME I attended with would say DID) stole the show from the more aloof Van. Burke has revived his career with some solid CDs (try 2002's Don't Give Up On Me), covering Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and others. If you have a chance to catch him in person, DO IT!

WWUH Radio used to produce folk concerts in the basement of a house on Farmington Avenue in Hartford in the early 80s. It was a very intimate setting and we saw a number of concerts there including a very young and talented Rory Block. Bought an album from her that night (I still have it somewhere), which she autographed for me. Kinda lost track of her in recent years, but perhaps this spurs me to catch up.

I'm a relative newcomer to the Marcia Ball fanclub, for years being enamored with Lou Ann Barton instead (still am). But Marcia's name and music kept appearing until I had to pay attention. Lucky me, she is dynamite! Got to see her at 2005 JazzFest (both her own set and the Sister Rosetta Tharpe tribute), then again at last Labor Day weekend's Rhythm & Roots Festival in Charleston, RI with Johnny Gumbo. I recommend Dreams Come True, an album of Marcia Ball, Lou Ann Barton and Angela Strehli with a band led by Dr. John.

The awards ceremony is set for May 11, 2006 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis.