Artists, organizations and journalists responsible for “keeping the blues alive” received awards in January
The Blues Foundation (Fundação do Blues) announced the names chosen to receive the ‘Keeping the Blues Alive’ award. As reported by billboardthe honor is given to artists, organizations, broadcasters and others who carry the name and history of the genre to the present day.
The ceremony took place in January of this year, in Memphis, in the United States. The historic blues venue has also hosted performances, lectures, film screenings and seminars – part of the foundation’s International Blues Challenge series.
Check out the institutions that received the honor:
The Little Village Foundation
Created by keyboardist Jim Pugh, the organization focuses on discovering new talent, most of them blues-based.
John Guregian
Responsible for bringing the blues to the public with his radio show blues deluxeJohn has been involved with the genre for 40 years.
Marilyn Stringer
Marilyn is one of the most important photographers documenting the blues today. Since 2006, she has photographed the biggest blues festivals in the United States and published three books on the musical style.
The Sierre Blues Festival
Born as a bar in Switzerland, the organization grew with the support of volunteers and the Blues Foundation and reached the level of a large three-day festival dedicated to the blues.
Franky Bruneel
At age 15, Franky started his blues radio show in Belgium. He was also responsible for organizing shows and building relationships with US artists for European tours.
Ron Wynn
Ron has been writing about blues and jazz since the 1980s as a journalist and music critic. He currently writes for the Nashville Scene, Tennessee Tribune, Tennessee Jazz and Blues Society, and Jazz Times, in addition to other websites and publications.
Blue Front Cafe
Since 1948, when it was opened by a family, the café has hosted blues performances every week. In addition, it is one of the bases of the Bentonia Blues Festival, which began in 1972.
Teddy’s Juke Joint
one of the last juke joints of Chitlin’ Circuit, was raised in the childhood home of Lloyd “Teddy” Johnston. The bar served as a rehearsal spot for gospel groups, which soon became blues bands.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
