2011 Blues Music Awards

Memphis Tennessee
Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Memphis Convention Center

ONE NIGHT AT THE CENTER OF THE BLUES UNIVERSE

Story and Photos by Ray Proetto of Blues Power Photo (bluespowerphoto.com)
NOTE: This article first appeared in the June-July Suncoast Blues Society Newsletter (suncoastblues.org)

This was the first year I attended the Blues Music Awards. I have to admit I was more than slightly star struck by the whole event. I missed portions of the actual awards show hanging outside in the lobby speaking with and taking pictures of blues artists, publishers, agents, and fans. This is the only annual event where anyone can rub shoulders with so many internationally known blues artists.

For one night, Memphis became the center of the Blues universe!

Of course everyone in the world of blues wasn’t there, but it sure seemed like they were. Almost all of the nominated performers were present and many more. Imagine it. I entered the opening reception room at 5:30pm. There’s a band playing blues in an enormous space filled with almost two thousand people mulling about meeting and greeting each other for 90 minutes. My guest for the evening was Maie Smith, an employee of the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale MS and one of the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival Planners. She introduced me to musicians all over the room as I returned the favor. Soon we were shaking hands and talking with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Eddie Shaw, Eddie Vaan Shaw Jr., Memphis Slim, Kirk Fletcher, Bill “Howlin Mad” Perry, Kate Moss, Cee Cee James, Victor Wainright, Greg Gumpel, “FL Boy” – Selwyn Birchwood, and so many others I can’t remember them all.
As the reception ended, we were shaking hands with Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. Not expecting this opportunity I was tongue tied and couldn’t think of any of the million and one questions I wanted to ask them. So off they went up the escalator to the main ballroom where Steve Miller had just opened the show. Later that evening Derek Trucks won awards for Band of the Year and Instrumentalist-Guitar.

Six and one half hours of blues!

As we followed a stream of people and entered the main ballroom, Steve Miller was playing selections from his recent blues album and there was a sea of tables for ten. I was fortunate to be sitting at one of Pete “Blewzzman” Lauro’s two tables in the fourth row. I was introduced to him by E.G. Kight at one of her recent concerts in Orlando. As Maie and I settled into our seats we met more blues fans, agents and E.G. Kight herself! at our table.

 

The Blues Music Awards lasted six and one half hours but I have to admit, Buddy Guy stole the show the minute he hit the stage. He just commanded attention mixing his stinging loud guitar licks and passionate singing with some of the best jokes of the night. It was fitting that he ran away with five awards including BB King Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year “Living Proof”, Contemporary Blues Male Artist, Contemporary Blues Album “Living Proof”, and Album of the Year for “Living Proof.” If you’re a fan of Buddy Guy check out his previous album “Skin Deep” which in my opinion is even better.

There was a moving video presentation dedicated to Blues performers we lost this past year and additional special video presentations for Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins and Robin Rogers. Both earned posthumous awards: Pinetop for the Traditional Blues Album “Joined at the Hip” with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Robin Rogers for Contemporary Blues Female Artist. A special plaque was also presented to family members of Robert Johnson in honor of the 100th Anniversary of his birth. Steve Johnson, grandson of Robert Johnson accepted the award and spoke of The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation which benefits the children and people of Copiah County MS through education and the arts.
At times there seemed to be more action out in the lobby than in the event itself. Handshakes, hugs, and business cards were traded as agents, promoters, publishers, fans, friends, and musicians mingled in an ever changing happy stew. We stopped and spoke with Maie’s friends Bill “Howlin Mad” Perry and Lightnin’ Malcolm.

 

One new artist who stood out among the pack was Peter Parcek. His album “The Mathematics of Love” was nominated for Best New Artist Debut. Peter played in a unique style all his own. One part blues, one part jazz, and as I commented to Maie, he definitely had some real soul coming out of those fingers. I had met Peter and his band in the shuttle from the airport the day before. He was so humble I thought he was just some guy who was happy to be playing guitar and probably more fan than serious artist. Little did I know he would impress me and a tough audience of two thousand at the Center of the Blues Universe?
I had never heard Denise LaSalle perform live and it was quite a treat. The veteran soul/blues diva owned the crowd and her version of “My Toot Toot” had to be the raunchiest and funniest song I’ve ever heard performed live.

 

Rick Estrin and Kirk Fletcher performed together in what turned out to be a showcase of Rick’s incredible harmonica skills. At times he conjured the ghost of Sonny Boy which included playing without hands while his harmonica protruded halfway straight out of his mouth! Later in the lobby, Maie Rick and Maie
Rich Estrin and Maie Smith and I had a great time meeting Rick and taking pictures with him. I was also thrilled to meet Victor Wainright and his band mate Greg Gumpel again at the awards. I’ve seen incredible performances by these talented musicians in Florida, Mississippi and now in their home town of Memphis.

Late in the evening Tad Robinson proved he’s the real deal in the soul/blues arena. Everyone at my table was nodding in agreement when as I sang his praises. Although Solomon Burke (another one we lost this past year) won in both categories, Tad was nominated for Soul Blues Artist and Soul Blues Album for “Back in Style.” I can’t wait to hear it.

Matt Hill ended the night with a performance in which he borrowed directly from both Elvis’ raw crowd flirtation and Jim Morrison’s reckless abandon. Part blues show and part male revue, Matt took off his belt halfway, making a tail to wag at the ladies. He played on his knees, moved into the crowd and soon was on his back causing quite a few female hearts to beat faster.

Despite his inspired performance, it wasn’t Matt Hill who impressed me as the show wound to its conclusion. Bob Margolin backed Matt with some of the best guitar playing I heard all night. While many of the ladies were focused on Matt, I was digging Bob’s hard driving solos and well timed soaring notes which seemed to emphasize Matt’s flamboyant style in all the right places.
Matt Hill finished his set at about 1:30am. By this time Maie was already headed back to Clarksdale and it was time to say some goodnights and goodbyes. Although my pillow across the street in the Marriot was a welcome friend after two late nights in Memphis, the good times weren’t over yet. I wasn’t leaving Memphis for two more days.

The Blues Foundation has a new address.
On Friday, May 6th, the Blues Foundation sponsored an open house at their new location a few blocks south of Beale on Main Street. The building was still just a shell prior to remodeling, but it was the people who made attending this event well worth it. If you missed an opportunity to speak with some one at the Blues Music Awards, there is was a pretty good chance you might run into them at the Blues Foundation. David Maxwell provided the entertainment on piano and late in the day was joined by two female singers who made brief appearances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I stood outside on the sidewalk mingling, Julia Magness’ voice boomed out the door catching my attention. Julia hails from Austin TX; a music town if ever there was one. She sang “World of Trouble” by Memphis Minnie. Although she has recorded only Gospel under her own name, I don’t think I’m alone in hoping she will bless us all soon with some blues.

Chicago blues musician Liz Mandeville closed out the proceedings singing a fun bawdy version of Ray Charles’ “Mess Around” while dancing up a storm to David’s piano playing.

As the Blues Foundation open house ended I was off to enjoy Memphis for one last evening. But that’s another story…

 

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