BLACKBURN BROTHERS EARN A RECORD-SETTING NINE MAPLE BLUES AWARD NOMINATIONS
Considered the highest honours on the Canadian blues scene, the nominees for the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards have been announced with Blackburn Brothers, Matt Andersen, and Brandon Isaak among the leading nominees.
In a record-setting feat, Ontario’s Blackburn Brothers collectively earned a whopping nine nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year (Brooke Blackburn), Recording/Producer of the Year, Guitarist of the Year (Brooke Blackburn), Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year (Duane Blackburn), Drummer of the Year (Cory Blackburn), Songwriter of the Year, and Bassist of the Year (Nathan Blackburn). Additionally, the patriarch of the Blackburn family, Bobby Dean Blackburn has been nominated for Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award.
New Brunswick native Matt Andersen received nominations for Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Recording/Producer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. British Columbia’s Brandon Isaak has been nominated in categories for Acoustic Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Recording/Producer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
Representing new faces on the Canadian blues scene, the nominees for New Artist or Group of the Year are Angelina Hunter Trio, Garnetta Cromwell & DaGroovmasters, Little Magic Sam Band, Sandra Bouza, and The Sugar Darlings.
Returning to its roots, the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards will take place at The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street, Toronto), where the awards were held from 2000 to 2006. The not-to-be-missed blues music event of the year will take place on Monday, February 12th. Tickets start at $37.40 and are on sale now at ticketweb.ca
The 27th Annual Maple Blues Award Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Angelique Francis
Blackburn Brothers
Blue Moon Marquee
Bywater Call
Matt Andersen
Electric Act of the Year
Blackburn Brothers
Bywater Call
Colin James
Matt Andersen
Sue Foley
Acoustic Act of the Year
Brandon Isaak
Garrett Mason
Harrison Kennedy
Michael Jerome Browne
Suzie Vinnick
Male Vocalist of the Year
Brandon Isaak
Brooke Blackburn
Harrison Kennedy
Matt Andersen
Steve Marriner
Female Vocalist of the Year
Crystal Shawanda
Dawn Tyler Watson
Meghan Parnell
Miss Emily
Shakura S'Aida
New Artist or Group of the Year
Angelina Hunter Trio
Garnetta Cromwell & DaGroovmasters
Little Magic Sam Band
Sandra Bouza
The Sugar Darlings
Recording/Producer of the Year
ARTIST: Matt Andersen
PRODUCER: Matt Andersen
ARTIST: Crystal Shawanda
PRODUCER: Dewayne Strobel
ARTIST: Brandon Isaak
PRODUCER: Brandon Isaak/Conrad Hillis
ARTIST: Bywater Call
PRODUCER: Renan Yildizdogan
ARTIST: Blackburn Brothers
PRODUCER: Howard Ayee
B.B. King International Artist of the Year
Christone ''Kingfish'' Ingram
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Thorbjorn Risager and The Black Tornado
Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule)
Guitarist of the Year
Brooke Blackburn
Garrett Mason
Jack Semple
Sue Foley
Tony D (Diteodoro)
Harmonica Player of the Year
Guy Belanger
Jerome Godboo
Joe Murphy
Steve Marriner
Roly Platt
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Vest
Debra Power
Duane Blackburn
Jesse O' Brien
Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne
Horn Player of the Year
Alison Young
Chris Whiteley
Dan Jancar
Kaven Jalbert
Loretta Hale
Drummer of the Year
Chris Nordquist
Cory Blackburn
Gary Craig
Jim Casson
Matt Sobb
Bassist of the Year
Angelique Francis
Gary Kendall
Jasmine Colette
Nathan Blackburn
Russell Jackson
Songwriter of the Year
Andre Bisson
Blackburn Brothers
Brandon Isaak
Crystal Shawanda
Matt Andersen
Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award
Alec Fraser
Bobby Dean Blackburn
Brent Parkin
Cheryl Lescom
Dalannah Gail Bowen
Danny Brooks
Mike McKenna
Murray Porter
Sue Foley
Tom Lavin
