Clarksdale, MS -- December 16, 2005 -- This week, the Blues Foundation in Memphis nominated 73-year-old, St. Louis bluesman Big George Brock for a prestigious Blues Music Award. Formerly known as the Handy Awards, the Blues Music Awards are the blues equivalent of the Grammy.

"My Lord, I don't believe it! That's just wonderful," exclaimed Big George Brock upon learning of the nomination. "I've worked a long time to get that. I'm real glad to have it."

Nominated in the Comeback Album of the Year category, Brock's "Club Caravan" CD has to both St. Louis and Clarksdale. He held a CD release party at St. Louis' BBs Jazz Blues & Soups in September and recorded the CD in Clarksdale earlier in the year.

"We were really surprised but thrilled," said Roger Stolle, the CD's producer and owner of Clarksdale's Cat Head Presents label that put it out. "Big George has been playing blues a long, long time and truly deserves the recognition this nomination gives him. We're all very proud of the record. [East St. Louis] guitarist Riley Coatie and his family band should be real proud, too. They sound amazing on it.

"Recorded at Clarksdale's Delta Recording Service this past May, the CD has also made many year-end top blues lists and been positively reviewed by numerous magazines -- including Blues Revue, Big City Blues, Living Blues, Blues & Rhythm, Blues Matters, Blues in Britain, Real Blues, Juke Blues, Il Blues and Mojo.

"It's amazed me. I thought the people had just forgot about me, but here it is. Suddenly I'm getting articles written and phone calls from overseas wanting me to play," said Brock. According to Stolle, details will be announced shortly regarding a blues festival appearance for Brock this summer in Italy.

Brock -- who grew up in the Mattson-Clarksdale, Mississippi area -- will return to his native Delta for a special New Year's Eve performance at the Delta Blues Room in Clarksdale to celebrate his nomination. Known for his flashy suits and entertaining stage antics as well as his energetic Delta-went-North blues style, Brock promises to deliver an evening few will soon forget. "Without the people, I am nothing. If I can't put on the kind of show they came to see, then I just as soon stay home. If they want Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, they'll hear it. If they want to hear my songs off the records, they'll hear that too," he said.

Clarksdale, Mississippi is just 6 hours from St. Louis. Tickets for the Saturday, December 31st New Year's Eve show went on sale Friday at the Delta Blues Room, at Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art (www.cathead.biz) and by phone at 662-624-5992. They are $8 pre-sale. $10 at the door if tickets remain. Food and drinks will be available. The Delta Blues Room is located at 220 Sunflower Avenue in historic downtown Clarksdale.