Paul Oscher, a veteran of the Muddy Waters Band, has four nominations including Acoustic Blues - Artist of the Year, Blues Song of the Year and Acoustic Blues Album of the Year for Alone with the Blues (Electro-fi Records).

To add to his recent Grammy nomination of Best Contemporary Blues Album, Charlie Musselwhite garners three nominations including Contemporary Blues - Artist of the Year and Contemporary Blues Album of the Year for Sanctuary (Real World).

Janiva Magness is nominated for Contemporary Blues - Female Artist of the Year due in part to relentless domestic and international touring and the recent release of Bury Him at the Crossroads (NorthernBlues Music).

Crows Feet Productions congratulates these artists for the following 2005 W.C. Handy Nominations:

Charlie Musselwhite: Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, Contemporary Blues – Male Artist of the Year, Instrumentalist – Harmonica

Paul Oscher: Acoustic Blues Album of the Year, Acoustic Blues – Artist of the Year, Blues Song of the Year for "Alone with the Blues", Instrumentalist – Harmonica

Michael Powers: Best New Artist Debut, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year

Watermelon Slim: Best New Artist Debut

Janiva Magness: Contemporary Blues – Female Artist of the Year

Named in honor of W.C. Handy, "Father of the Blues," The 26th annual W.C. Handy Awards will be presented on Thursday May 5, 2005 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The event brings together blues performers, industry representatives and fans from all over the world to celebrate the best in blues recordings and performances from the previous year. Voting for the 26th annual W.C. Handy Awards is reserved for Blues Foundation members. Visit www.blues.org to find out more about the 26th W.C. Handy Awards and to place your vote.