A Handy Award To Have

In the wake of Grammy nominations a few weeks ago comes announcement of candidates for the 23rd annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards, to be presented on Thursday, May 23, 2002 at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, Tenn. Our local blues contingent is well-represented as usual, with Marcia Ball topping the list with five nominations including Entertainer of the Year. Below is a list of Texans and honorary Texans who are up for honors:

Blues Entertainer of the Year: Marcia Ball

Contemporary Blues-Female Artist of the Year: Marcia Ball

Blues Instrumentalist-Keyboards: Marcia Ball; Pinetop Perkins

Blues Band of the Year: Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets featuring Sam Myers

Contemporary Blues-Male Artist of the Year: Kim Wilson

Blues Instrumentalist-Harmonica: James Cotton; Kim Wilson

Traditional Blues-Male Artist of the Year: James Cotton

Blues Instrumentalist-Guitar: Jimmie Vaughan

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year: Jimmie Vaughan, Do You Get the Blues; Kim Wilson, Smokin' Joint; Marcia Ball, Presumed Innocent

Blues Album of the Year: Kim Wilson, Smokin' Joint; Marcia Ball, Presumed Innocent

Blues Instrumentalist-Drums: George Rains

Blues Instrumentalist-Horns: Kaz Kazanoff

Blues Instrumentalist-Other: Clarence "Gatemouth-- Brown (fiddle)

Historical Album of the Year: Charley Patton, Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues (on local label Revenant)

For the complete list of nominations see: www.handyawards.com or www.blues.org.