| The
2009 Keeping the Blues Alive
Awards |
 Memphis,
TN –Twenty-two individuals and organizations will be honored
with The Blues Foundation's
2009 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award during a recognition brunch
at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel Saturday, February 7, 2009 in Memphis
Tennessee. The KBA ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. and will be held
in conjunction with the 25th International Blues Challenge (IBC) weekend
of events that will feature the semifinals and finals of the world’s
largest gathering of Blues bands, as well as seminars, presentations,
and receptions for Blues societies, fans and professionals.
The Keeping the
Blues Alive Awards recognize the significant contributions to Blues
music made by the people behind the scenes. Each is selected on the
basis of merit by a select panel of Blues professionals.
KBA Chairman Art Tipaldi notes with respect to this year’s recipients,
“As is often the case, this year the committee recognized some
individuals that have long-deserved to be honored as well as identifying
others who have made a very impressive mark on Blues music in a relatively
short period. Once again, the honorees cover the United States map.
In addition, two Italian organizations were selected for their commitment
to the Blues genre in their country.”
The 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive recipients are:
1. Agent: Steve Hecht, Piedmont Talent, Charlotte, NC
2. Art and Photography: Dusty & Val Scott, Dusty Blues, Pittsburgh,
PA
3. Blues Club: B.L.U.E.S, Chicago, IL
4. Education: Monroe County Black History Month, Monroe County, MI
5. Festival: Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Telluride, CO
6. Film, Television and Video: Willy Bearden, Memphis TN
7. Historical Preservation: Shack Up In, Clarksdale, MS
8. International: Associazione Roots ‘n’ Blues, Parma,
Italy
9. Internet: Pandora.com, Oakland, CA
10. Journalism: Hal Horowitz, Marietta, GA
11. Literature: Craig Hopkins, Cedar Hill, TX
12. Manager: John Hahn, New York, NY
13. Organization: Washington Blues Society, Seattle, WA
14. Print Media: Il Blues, Milan, Italy
15. Producer: David Z, Nashville, TN
16. Promoter: Omega Events, Lake Forest, CA
17. Publicist: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, Memphis, TN
18. Radio Commercial: Kai Turner, Denver, CO
19. Radio Public: John Kessler, Seattle, WA
20. Record Label: Delta Groove, Van Nuys, CA
21. Retailer: Manifest Discs, Charlotte, NC
22. Sponsor: Barbara Hammerman, Gig Harbor, WA
Tickets to the KBA ceremony are available online at www.Blues.org.
The IBC weekend, commencing Wednesday, February 4, 2009, is sponsored
in significant part by ArtsMemphis, bandVillage, Budweiser and its
local distributor D. Canale Beverages, FedEx, Legendary Rhythm &
Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, Smokin Bluz,
Sonicbids, Tennessee Arts Commission, Tennessee Film, Entertainment
and Music Commission and XM Satellite Radio. Additional sponsors include:
Beale Street Merchants Association, Tommy Clifton Art, Doubletree
Hotel, Gibson Guitars, Holiday Inn Select, Memphis Grizzlies and the
Residence Inn by Marriott.
Media Sponsors include Beale Street Caravan, Big City Rhythm and Blues,
Blues Blast, Blues Festival Guide, Blues Revue, BluesWax, Downtowner,
House of Blues Radio Hour, Living Blues, Memphis Flyer, WREG-TV and
XM Satellite Radio.
The Blues Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated
to preserving Blues history, celebrating Blues excellence, supporting
Blues education, and ensuring the future of this uniquely American
art form. It is the umbrella organization for a worldwide network
of 165 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships around
the globe. In addition to the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards, The
Blues Foundation produces the Blues Music Awards, the Blues Hall of
Fame Induction, and the International Blues Challenge. For more information
on how to support The Blues Foundation check us out on the web at
www.Blues.org.
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