It's All About The Music
by Kris Edem
May 7th marked the date for the 30th Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tennessee at the Cook Convention Center. This awards show brings together performers, fans, and representatives from all over the world and this year featured 29 sets over a six hour time period embracing the wide range of styles that make up this genre. It was a night of amazing music and, as you would expect, a who’s who of blues talent. Ninety five year old keymaster Pinetop Perkins was the oldest participant. And when you think about it, his lifespan nearly covers the entire history of the blues music. He was also the presenter of the honored Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award, which went to Marcia Ball this year. And while Perkins represents blues history, the future of the blues was in person as well by a set from The Homemade Jamz Blues Band. This is a family band, the Perry’s, made up of three siblings ages 10, 14, and 17. Yes, a ten year old, and she’s the drummer! Look for them on the local festival schedules this year.
Pinetop Perkins 
Homemade Jamz Blues
The following Blues music performers were honored with 2008 Blues Music Awards:
Acoustic Album of the Year: Mississippi Number One - Eden Brent
Acoustic Artist of the Year: Eden Brent
Album of the Year: Skin Deep - Buddy Guy
Band of the Year: Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year: Janiva Magness
Best New Artist Debut: 2 Man Wrecking Crew - Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year: Skin Deep - Buddy Guy
Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year: Buddy Guy
Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year Janiva Magness
DVD: M For Mississippi: A Road Trip Through the Birthplace of the Blues - Broke & Hungry Records, Cathead Blues & Mudpuppy Recordings
Historical Album of the Year: Albert Collins Live at Montreux 1992 - Eagle Records
Instrumentalist-Bass: Mookie Brill
Instrumentalist-Drums: Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Instrumentalist-Guitar: Sonny Landreth
Instrumentalist-Harmonica: Billy Gibson
Instrumentalist-Horn: Deanna Bogart
Instrumentalist-Banjo: Otis Taylor
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player: Marcia Ball
Rock Blues Album of the Year: Mess of Blues - Jeff Healey
Song of the Year: "Let Life Flow" - Kenny Neal
Soul Blues Album of the Year: Simply Grand - Irma Thomas
Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year: Etta James
Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year: Bobby Rush
Traditional Blues Album of the Year: One Kind Favor - B.B. King
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year: B.B. King
Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year Koko Taylor
For more information about the awards, the nomination process, or its history check out the Blues Foundation website at www.blues.org
