Crazy month-awards, new vinyl and candye

Ello- This is what happens when I wait to long to write...it is going to be a long blog :)

First-

The Blues Foundation Awards were last week, and from looking at the pictures that people have posted... I really wish I was there and am saving up for the trip next year One of my personal favorites won- Kenny Wayne Shepherd for his documentary 10 Days Out. The dvd/cd and vinyl are awesome and I know of all the hard work that went into putting it together. I am very happy for everyone involved :) Here are the other winners of this years awards

Acoustic Blues -
Artist of the Year-Bobby Rush
Band of the Year-Watermelon Slim & the Workers

Contemporary Blues -
Female Artist of the Year-Bettye LaVette
Male Artist of the Year-Tab Benoit

Soul Blues -
Male Artist of the Year-Bobby Rush
Female Artist of the Year-Irma Thomas

Traditional Blues -
Female Artist of the Year-Koko Taylor
Male Artist of the Year-Hubert Sumlin

Best Instrumentalist -
Bass-Bob Stroger
Drums-Sam Lay
Guitar-Bob Margolin
Harmonica-Kim Wilson
Horn-Deanna Bogart
Pedal Steel-Robert Randolph

Acoustic Blues
Album of the Year-Bobby Rush - Raw
Best New Artist Debut of the Year-Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy - Cotton Field to Coffee HouseBlues Song of the Year-Koko Taylor - "Gonna Buy Me A Mule"
Blues Album of the Year-Watermelon Slim & the Workers - The Wheel Man
Blues DVD of the YearKenny Wayne Shepherd - 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year-Tommy Castro - Painkiller
Historical Album of the Year-Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, & James Cotton - Breakin' It UP, Breakin' it DOWN
Soul Blues Album of the Year-The Holmes Brothers - State of Grace
Traditional Blues Album of the Year-Koko Taylor - Old School
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award-Honey Piazza
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award-Tommy Castro
Congratulations to everyone!

----Who are people you would have liked to see win?

Second-

I just got my copy of Jimi Hendrix- Woke Up This Morning and Found Myself Dead vinyl!!!!! It is a recording of Jimi and Jim Morrison and Johnny Winter jamming together in 1968. The first song is Red House...sweet! I can not wait to play it!!!

----Let me know if you have this album...what do you think?

Third-

HELP FOR CANDYE CANE- As some people might have heard through the news, or through other websites, Candye Cane has recently started treatment for cancer. I am going to keep an eye out for venues and musicians that are throwing fundraiser shows and will keep you posted. If you want to donate money to help pay for her medical bills etc., please check out her website at http://www.candyekane.com/news.html. You can donate through Paypal. Her user info is candyekanetour@aol.com. Or you can send a check to Candye Kane Cancer Fund 315 S. Hwy 101 47 Encinitas, Ca 92024. If you want to leave a note of encouragement, check out her myspace page. I have added it to my top 8, so you don't have to search for it. She has given us so much through her music. Now we can help her, even if it is by leaving a note of love and good thoughts.

Fourth- I went to a great blues night at Harrigan's. I will have pictures and a write up soon.

Keep Smilin
Jenn

www.steelstringblues.com