Sporting five nominations each, Shemekia Copeland and Magic Slim lead the field for the Blues Foundation's 24th annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards. Fellow veterans Solomon Burke, W.C. Clark, and Charlie Musselwhite each earned four nominations.
Copeland, who is the daughter of legendary blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, is up for entertainer and traditional blues female artist of the year, while her Dr. John-produced Alligator album "Talk to Strangers," is up for blues album of the year and contemporary blues album of the year. The Shemekia Copeland Band is also up for the blues band of the year honor.
Chicago blues traditionalist Magic Slim pulled in nominations for entertainer, male artist, and guitarist of the year. Along with his band the Teardrops, he also received mentions in the traditional blues album category for his Blind Pig album "Blue Magic," and in the blues band of the year column.
Bob Dylan received his first W.C. Handy nomination, which came in the song of the year category for "Stepchild," his contribution to Burke's Fat Possum album "Don't Give Up on Me. The set, which also features tracks written by Elvis Costello and Van Morrison, among others, is up for blues album and soul/blues album of the year.
The Handy Awards will be held May 22 at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis. Like in previous years, the Gibson Musical Instruments-sponsored event will be taped for later broadcast on public television. The show will kick off the city's Handy Weekend of events, which include a music festival, a blues film festival, and a children's festival.
Click here to view the full list of nominees.
Copeland, who is the daughter of legendary blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, is up for entertainer and traditional blues female artist of the year, while her Dr. John-produced Alligator album "Talk to Strangers," is up for blues album of the year and contemporary blues album of the year. The Shemekia Copeland Band is also up for the blues band of the year honor.
Chicago blues traditionalist Magic Slim pulled in nominations for entertainer, male artist, and guitarist of the year. Along with his band the Teardrops, he also received mentions in the traditional blues album category for his Blind Pig album "Blue Magic," and in the blues band of the year column.
Bob Dylan received his first W.C. Handy nomination, which came in the song of the year category for "Stepchild," his contribution to Burke's Fat Possum album "Don't Give Up on Me. The set, which also features tracks written by Elvis Costello and Van Morrison, among others, is up for blues album and soul/blues album of the year.
The Handy Awards will be held May 22 at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis. Like in previous years, the Gibson Musical Instruments-sponsored event will be taped for later broadcast on public television. The show will kick off the city's Handy Weekend of events, which include a music festival, a blues film festival, and a children's festival.
Click here to view the full list of nominees.
Up for Discussion