His latest album may be titled Can’t Even Do Wrong Right, but recent Rock Hall of Fame inductee Elvin Bishop (Paul Butterfield Blues Band) seemed to do quite all right at last night’s Blues Music Awards in Memphis, taking home trophies in three of the six categories in which he was nominated, including the coveted Album of the Year in addition to Band and Song (for the album’s title track). That was also enough to make Bishop the biggest winner on the night, with only two other artists receiving multiple awards: Bobby Rush for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Soul Blues Male Artist and John Hammond for Acoustic Artist and Acoustic Album (Timeless).
Among the night’s other album winners were Keb’ Mo’ for Contemporary Blues Album (BluesAmericana), Mud Morganfield & Kim Wilson for Traditional Blues Album (For Pops: A Tribute to Muddy Waters), Johnny Winter for Rock Blues Album (Step Back), John Nemeth for Soul Blues Album (Memphis Grease), and Selwyn Birchwood for Best New Artist Album (Don’t Call No Ambulance). Gary Clark Jr. and Janiva Magness won in the Contemporary Blues Male and Female Artist categories, respectively, while Lurrie Bell was recognized as Traditional Blues Male Artist and Ruthie Foster walked away with the Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Blues Female Artist.
Joe Bonamassa was honored on Guitar, Charlie Musselwhite on Harmonica, and Marcia Ball as the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year, in what may have been one of the most rounded Blues Music Awards ceremonies in terms of winners in recent history. Look for the complete list of winners on the Blues Foundation’s website soon.
Congratulations to all of the nominees, as well as last night’s winners!