During the first 34 years of
the Blues Hall of Fame balloting, only one saxophonist, Louis Jordan, was
elected. The Year of the Saxophonist has come, however, in 2014, as three sax
men--Big Jay McNeely, Eddie Shaw, and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson--blow
their way into the Blues Hall. Two other
performers--Mississippi hill country patriarch R.L. Burnside and the intense
and inimitable Robert Pete Williams—will also be inducted in May.
Among
the other individuals to be recognized by The Blues Foundation for their
behind-the-scenes contributions: The Rosebud Agency's manager and booking agent
par excellence Mike Kappus, Houston music mogul and label owner Don Robey, and
prolific Chicago record producer and writer Dick Shurman.
The book
Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke by Peter Guralnick is the literature
entry into the Blues Hall of Fame this year. This is Peter's fourth book
inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
These
albums are being honored: Hawk Squat (Delmark, 1969) by J.B. Hutto and Moanin'
in the Moonlight (Chess, 1959) by Howlin' Wolf.
The
following singles will be inducted during the ceremony: "After
Hours" by Erskine Hawkins and His
Orchestra (Bluebird, 1940); "Catfish Blues" by Robert Petway
(Bluebird, 1941); "High Water Everywhere, Parts I & II" by
Charley Patton (Paramount, 1930); "It's Tight Like That" by Tampa Red
& Georgia Tom (Vocalion, 1928); and "Milk Cow Blues" by Kokomo
Arnold (Decca, 1934).
Inductees'
official biographies and descriptions are available, as well as all Hall of
Fame inductees, at http://www.blues.org/halloffame/index.php.
The
induction ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 7, at the Sheraton Memphis
Downtown in Memphis, Tennessee, the night before the 35th Blues Music Awards.
With living musicians like B.B. King and Buddy Guy, and legends like Muddy
Waters and Koko Taylor, the Blues Hall of Fame consists of blues music's best
and brightest stars.
The
Blues Foundation is now in the final stages of raising the capital needed to
showcase these legendary performers and their work with Blues Hall of Fame
exhibits at its 421 S. Main headquarters in downtown Memphis. The Blues Hall of
Fame will honor inductees year round, provide interactive and educational
exhibits, and create a place for serious blues fans, casual visitors, and
students to congregate, celebrate and learn more about the Blues. The Raise the
Roof! campaign hopes to raise the remaining funds necessary to commence
construction in June of this year.
On May
9, the night after the Blues Hall of Fame inductions, The Blues Foundation will
present the Blues Music Awards for the 35th time. Performers, industry
representatives and fans from around the world will celebrate the best in Blues
recording, songwriting and performance from the previous year at the Memphis
Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis.
For
tickets and more information, visit www.blues.org.
Major
funding is provided by ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The 35th
Blues Music Awards and Blues Hall of Fame events are also sponsored by BMI,
Catfood Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, First Tennessee Foundation, Jontaar
Creative Studios, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and
Visitors Bureau, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Sony/Legacy Records.
The
Blues Foundation is Memphis-based, but world-renown as THE organization
dedicated to preserving our blues music history, celebrating recording and
performance excellence, supporting blues education and ensuring the future of
this uniquely American art form. Founded in 1980, The Blues Foundation has 4000
individual members and 200 affiliated local blues societies representing
another 50,000 fans and professionals around the world. Its signature honors
and events--the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame, International Blues
Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards--make it the international center
of blues music. Its HART Fund provides the blues community with medical
assistance while its Sound Healthcare program offers musicians health insurance
access. Blues in the Schools programs and Generation Blues scholarships expose
new generations to blues music. Throughout the year, the Foundation staff
serves the worldwide Blues community with answers, contact information and
news.
Source: The Blues Foundation
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