Washington Blues Society 2019 Best of the Blues Awards Winners
The Washington Blues Society’s annual Best of the Blues Awards presented in partnership with the Anacortes Brewery (“BB Awards”) were held on Sunday, April 28th to honor musicians, artists, events, and venues nominated by blues society members in 32 award categories. The 2019 BB Awards show featured performances by Nick Vigarino, John Maxwell Red House and a special tribute to Fat James by original members of his band. The new inductees into the Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame for 2019 are Lissa Ramaglia and the Fat James Band. The shows was also a celebration for the Societies 30th anniversary. The nominees once again represent the very best blues performers from throughout the Pacific Northwest. The field represents the work of several successful fan campaigns, high visibility acts, new sensations and long-established favorites who all deserve recognition for their steadfast determination and accomplishments.
Mark DuFresne Male Vocalist Award Joel Astley
Blues Female Vocalist Sheri Roberts Greimes
Electric Blues Guitar CD Woodbury
Slide Blues Guitar Billy Stapleton
Blues Bass Scotty Harris
Chris Leighton Blues Drummer Award Tommy Cook
Blues Horn Lonnie Williams
Paul Green Blues Harmonica Award Joel Astley
Blues Piano/Keyboard Jimmy Holden
Acoustic Blues Guitar Rod Cook
Instrumentalist – Other Mike Marinig
Blues Band Stacy Jones Band
Little Bill and the Blue Notes Traditional
Blues Act Brian Lee & the Orbiters
Solo/Duo Blues Act Sheri Roberts Greimes
New Blues Band Chicken Hawk Band
Blues Performer Patti Allen
Blues Songwriter Polly O’Keary
Washington Blues Recording Brian Butler – Butler’s Blues
Blues Writer Rick J Bowen
Blues Club Highway 99 Blues Club
Blues Photo Image
Denise Hathaway – Alan Edwards Bluesletter
Cover February
Blues Graphic Image Steve Perringer – Mt Baker Poster
Blues DJ John Kessler
Keeping the Blues Alive Award Ed Maloney
Lifetime Achievement Award
Mark DuFresne
Blues Hall of Fame – Individual Lissa Ramaglia
Blues Hall of Fame – Band Fat James Band
Non-Festival Blues Event Polly O’Keary Blues Jam 4 Nicaragua
Best Regional Blues Festival Mt. Baker
Best Community Blues Festival Ebey Island Freedom Fest
Best Open Blues Jam
Unbound Blues Jam at
Madison Ave Pub
Blue to the Bone
Linda Beilfus
Blue to the Bone
Clancy Dunigan
Blue to the Bone
Rev. Dave Brown
Blue to the Bone
Rachael Millikan