The Cascade Blues Association’s 28th Annual Muddy Awards was held on Wednesday, November 2 at The Melody Ballroom to once again another full house of fans and musicians. Honoring those acts, performers, venues, events, recordings and performances who helped raise the bar on the Northwest’s blues scene over the past year in twenty-two categories.

Dave Kahl - "Paul deLay" Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dave Kahl – “Paul deLay” Lifetime Achievement Award.

Three artists were big winners taking home two awards each: Andy Stokes for the “Curtis Salgado” Male Vocalist and the “Lloyd Jones” R&B Act; the Ben Rice Band taking both the Contemporary and Traditional Blues Act awards; and Dave Kahl for the Bass award and the biggest honor of the night, the “Paul deLay” Lifetime Achievement.

Dave Kahl’s award noted not only his career as a bass player with a multitude of acts including the Paul deLay Band, Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers, and the Ty Curtis Band, but also due to his tireless work to bring together the music community, seeking recognition from the City and means to make finding and connecting outlets for musicians through such efforts as MyGigNet.com.

The Back What You Believe In Award was presented to CBA Vice President Wendy Schumer. This award notes those in a non-musician role that has made an impact. Wendy’s tireless efforts with the BluesNotes, various CBA events such as the Muddy Awards, a monthly blues emailing and daily posting of events in our area are just a few of the things that she has made her mark with.

The top CDs of the year were awarded to Lisa Mann for the Northwest Album of the Year with Hard Times, Bad Decisions and the National Recording of the Year also stayed at home with Curtis Salgado taking the prize for The Beautiful Lowdown.

Mitch Kashmar was also recognized for the Harmonica Award for the third consecutive year, placing him into the Muddy Awards Hall of Fame.

The Muddy Awards always has terrific music on hand and as tradition goes, we present sets from our Journey To Memphis winners. Band winners Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers opened the night and solo/duo winner David Pinsky played a mid-awards set bringing surprise guest Ben Rice for a dual acoustic guitar performance.

Every year the night closes with a Muddy All Star Band made up of past and present Muddy Award nominees and recipients. This year’s band leader was Ken DeRouchie who was handed the reigns to put together a group for the night, and he came through big time. The All Stars included Arietta Ward, Ben Turner, Brian Harris, Chris Lay, Dave Fleschner, David Chachere, Doug Rowell, Edwin Coleman III, Jeff Knudson, Jimi Bott, Lisa Mann, Noah Bell, Pat McDougall, Pete Petersen, Peter Dammann, Peter Moss, Rae Gordon, Rob Busey, and Timmer Blakely.

A big thanks goes out to The Melody Ballroom, Affordable Trophies, JBL Sound, Big Screen Productions, Cedar House Media, Photographer Tony Kutter, the CBA Board of Directors and all the volunteers who helped make this event happen, and to our membership, without whom none of this could occur.

Please note that we are aware that there were problems with the online balloting that we began this year. It is a first effort and we knew that there would be glitches. Thanks to CBA webmaster Buko and Wendy Schumer for assisting those who needed an extra hand getting their votes entered. We will make improvements next year on the process. But when it was all said and done, we actually received more returns for the final ballot than we have averaged over the past five years.

2016 Cascade Blues Association Muddy Award Recipients

Contemporary Blues Act: Ben Rice Band

Traditional Blues Act: Ben Rice Band

“Lloyd Jones” R&B Act: Andy Stokes

New Act: Thunder Brothers

Regional Blues Act: Hank Shreve Band

“Curtis Salgado” Male Vocalist: Andy Stokes

“Duffy Bishop” Female Vocalist: LaRhonda Steele

Electric Guitar: Alan Hager

“Terry Robb” Acoustic Guitar: Mary Flower

Bass: Dave Kahl

Harmonica: Mitch Kashmar

Keyboards: Steve Kerin

“Jimi Bott” Drums: Brian Foxworth

Horns: Peter Moss

Venue: The Lake Theater & Café

“The Hurley Award”: Barry McKinley

NW Event of the Year: United By Music North America at The Hotel Rose

NW Recording: Lisa Mann – Hard Times, Bad Decisions

National Recording: Curtis Salgado – The Beautiful Lowdown

Performance of the Year: (Tie) Kevin Selfe Buy My Soul Back CD Release Party at The Bossanova Ballroom / Karen Lovely at the Waterfront Blues Festival

Back What You Believe In Award: Wendy Schumer

Lifetime Achievement: Dave Kahl

New Muddy Hall of Fame inductee: Mitch Kashmar

And the 2016 Muddy Awards Winners Are…

[flagallery album=1]

Photos by Tony Kutter

Contemporary Blues Act – Ben Rice Band

Traditional Blues Act – Ben Rice Band

“Lloyd Jones” R&B Act – Andy Stokes

Regional Blues Act – Hank Shreve Band

New Act – Thunder Brothers

“Duffy Bishop” Female Vocalist – LaRhonda Steele

“Curtis Salgado” Male Vocalist – Andy Stokes

Electric Guitar – Alan Hager

“Terry Robb” Acoustic Guitar – Mary Flower

Bass – Dave Kahl

Keyboards – Steve Kerin

“Jimi Bott” Drums – Brian Foxworth

Harmonica – Mitch Kashmar

Horns – Peter Moss

Venue – Lake Theater & Café

NW Recording – Lisa Mann – Hard Times, Bad Decisions

National Recording – Curtis Salgado – The Beautiful Lowdown

NW Event – United By Music North America at Hotel Rose

Performance of the Year – Tie

  • Kevin Selfe Buy My Soul Back CD Release Party at Bossanova Ballroom 35
  • Karen Lovely at Waterfront Blues Festival

“Paul deLay” Lifetime Achievement – David Kahl

Additional Awards not voted on.

Back What You Believe in Award – Wendy Schumer

The Hurley Award – Barry McKinley

 

Muddy Award

Muddy AwardThe biggest single night for the Portland blues community returns again to The Melody Ballroom on Wednesday, November 2 as the Cascade Blues Association presents its annual Muddy Awards. Honoring musical achievements from the past year, awards will be handed out to recipients in twenty-two categories to stand-out musicians, venues, recordings, events, and more.

Members of the Cascade Blues Association Board of Directors, musicians, and other blues industry notables will present awards to the winners who were selected by members of the CBA through an online ballot.

And what would an event recognizing musical talent in our area without music be? Well, no worries there as the night will feature three sets of terrific blues performances.

Opening the night prior to the awards being handed out, this year’s Journey To Memphis band winners, Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers, will take the stage and set the perfect mood for the celebration.

Midway through the award presentations, our Journey To Memphis solo/duo winner, David Pinsky, will entertain us through a brief intermission.

Then following the awards, we will have an all-star line-up of past and present Muddy Award nominees and recipients, brought together by this year’s band leader Ken DeRouchie. Along with Ken on guitar and vocals, expect to see these amazing musicians take part in the set: Arietta Ward, Ben Turner, Brian Harris, Chris Lay, Dave Fleschner, David Cachere, Doug Rowell, Edwin Coleman III, Jeff Knudson, Jimi Bott, Lisa Mann, Noah Bell, Pete Petersen, Peter Dammann, Peter Moss, Rae Gordon, Rob Busey, and Timmer Blakely. (Please be advised that this line-up is subject to change.)

Do not miss this night. The fun will kick off at 6:30 pm with the opening set of music, with award presentations following immediately after at around 7:30. Entry to the Muddy Awards is free for Cascade Blues Association members and an incredible $5.00 for non-members to witness one of the most anticipated nights for blues in Portland. The Melody Ballroom is located at 615 SE Alder Street and the event is open to all ages.

The 2016 Muddy Award nominees are:

Contemporary Blues Act:
Ben Rice Band
Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes
Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band
Thunder Brothers

Traditional Blues Act:
AC Porter & The Live Wires
Ben Rice Band
Julie Amici
Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes

 “Lloyd Jones” R&B Act:
Andy Stokes
Ken DeRouchie Band
Norman Sylvester Band

Regional Blues Act:
Gabriel Cox
Hank Shreve Band
Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method
Sammy Eubanks

New Act:
Harvey Brindell & The Tablerockers
The Blues Cabaret
Thunder Brothers

“Duffy Bishop” Female Vocalist:
LaRhonda Steele
Lisa Mann
Rae Gordon

“Curtis Salgado” Male Vocalist:
Andy Stokes
Ben Rice
Brian Foxworth

Electric Guitar:
Alan Hager
Ben Rice
Kevin Selfe

“Terry Robb” Acoustic Guitar:
Alan Hager
Ben Rice
Lloyd Jones
Mary Flower

Bass:
Allen Markel
David Kahl
Lisa Mann

Keyboards:
Dave Fleschner
Dover Weinberg
Steve Kerin

“Jimi Bott” Drums:
Brian Foxworth
Dave Melyan
Don Shultz

Harmonica:
Franco Paletta
Hank Shreve
Jim Wallace
Mitch Kashmar

Horns:
Brad Ulrich
Chris Mercer
Joe McCarthy
Peter Moss

Venue:
Lake Theater & Café
The Blue Diamond
Trails End Saloon

The “Hurley” Award (for stage crew excellence):
Barry McKinley
Barry Saxberg
Darren Mach

NW Recording:
Curtis Salgado – The Beautiful Lowdown
Karen Lovely – Ten Miles Of Bad Road
Kevin Selfe – Buy My Soul Back
Lisa Mann – Hard Times, Bad Decisions

National Recording:
Bonnie Raitt – Dig In Deep
Curtis Salgado – The Beautiful Lowdown
Danielle Nicole – Wolf Den
Janiva Magness – Love Wins Again
Tedeschi Trucks Band – Let Me Get By

NW Event:
Bronze Blues & Blues Festival
Gorge Blues & Brews Festival
Mysti Krewe Of Nimbus Mardi Gras Ball
United By Music North America at Hotel Rose

Performance of the Year:
Kevin Selfe Buy My Soul Back CD Release Party at Bossanova Ballroom
Karen Lovely at Waterfront Blues Festival
United By Music North America at Waterfront Blues Festival

“Back What You Believe In” (for non-performance excellence in the blues community):
Dean Mueller
Ken DeRouchie
Norman Sylvester
Wendy Schumer

“Paul deLay” Lifetime Achievement:
David Kahl
Frankie Redding
Jimi Bott

Muddy Award

muddy_award
The following are the 2016 Muddy Awards Nominations.
If you are a CBA member follow the link to vote.
Remember you must be logged in to vote.

 

2016 Muddy Awards Nominations

Contemporary Blues Act:

  • Ben Rice Band
  • Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes
  • Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band
  • Thunder Brothers

Traditional Blues Act:

  • AC Porter & The Live Wires
  • Ben Rice Band
  • Julie Amici
  • Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes

“Lloyd Jones” R&B Act:

  • Andy Stokes
  • Ken DeRouchie Band
  • Norman Sylvester Band

Regional Blues Act:

  • Gabriel Cox
  • Hank Shreve Band
  • Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method
  • Sammy Eubanks

New Act:

  • Harvey Brindell & The Tablerockers
  • The Blues Cabaret
  • Thunder Brothers

“Duffy Bishop” Female Vocalist:

  • LaRhonda Steele
  • Lisa Mann
  • Rae Gordon

“Curtis Salgado” Male Vocalist:

  • Andy Stokes
  • Ben Rice
  • Brian Foxworth

Electric Guitar:

  • Alan Hager
  • Ben Rice
  • Kevin Selfe

“Terry Robb” Acoustic Guitar:

  • Alan Hager
  • Ben Rice
  • Lloyd Jones
  • Mary Flower

Bass:

  • Allen Markel
  • David Kahl
  • Lisa Mann

Keyboards:

  • Dave Fleschner
  • Dover Weinberg
  • Steve Kerin

“Jimi Bott” Drums:

  • Brian Foxworth
  • Dave Melyan
  • Don Shultz

Harmonica:

  • Franco Paletta
  • Hank Shreve
  • Jim Wallace
  • Mitch Kashmar

Horns:

  • Brad Ulrich
  • Chris Mercer
  • Joe McCarthy
  • Peter Moss

Venue:

  • Lake Theater & Café
  • The Blue Diamond
  • Trails End Saloon

NW Recording:

  • Curtis Salgado – The Beautiful Lowdown
  • Karen Lovely – Ten Miles Of Bad Road
  • Kevin Selfe – Buy My Soul Back
  • Lisa Mann – Hard Times, Bad Decisions

National Recording:

  • Bonnie Raitt – Dig In Deep
  • Curtis Salgado – The Beautiful Lowdown
  • Danielle Nicole – Wolf Den
  • Janiva Magness – Love Wins Again
  • Tedeschi Trucks Band – Let Me Get By

NW Event:

  • Bronze Blues & Blues Festival
  • Gorge Blues & Brews Festival
  • Mysti Krewe Of Nimbus Mardi Gras Ball
  • United By Music North America at Hotel Rose

“Hurley Award” For Behind the Scenes Stage Crew Achievement

  • Barry McKinley
  • Barry Saxberg
  • Darren Mach

Performance of the Year:

  • Kevin Selfe Buy My Soul Back CD Release Party at Bossanova Ballroom
  • Karen Lovely at Waterfront Blues Festival
  • United By Music North America at Waterfront Blues Festival

Lifetime Achievement:

  • David Kahl
  • Frankie Redding
  • Jimi Bott

 

Muddy Award Voting

 

Muddy Award

muddy_awardMark your calendars for Wednesday, November 2 as the Cascade Blues Association’s annual Muddy Awards celebration will return with a fun-filled night of excitement, recognition, and amazing music. It will take place at The Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Street, upstairs in the main ballroom, beginning at 6:30 pm. Various music celebrities and CBA board members will present awards, as selected by our members, in a number of categories honoring the musical achievement from the past year.

Of course, the Muddy Awards would not be complete without musical entertainment. This year’s event will follow tradition set a few years back with an opening set from this year’s Journey To Memphis winning band Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers. Midway through the awards, we will have a short intermission set for the solo/duo Journey To Memphis winning act David Pinsky. And to top the night off in grand fashion, an All Star Set featuring many of past and current Muddy Award winners and nominees, put together and led by the soulful vocals and steamy guitar of Ken DeRouchie. Ken already has commitments from some of the best musicians in the region, so expect another over the top night with the All Stars.

The Muddy Awards is an all ages event and is free for CBA members with their current membership cards. Non-members are just $5.00 for one of the most anticipated nights of the year in Portland’s blues community.

On Wednesday, November 4, the Cascade Blues Association presented its annual Muddy Awards show at The Melody Ballroom. Hosted onstage by CBA President Greg Johnson and Vice President Wendy Schumer, the show announced various winners in twenty-two categories, including best performers, recordings, venues, and events of the last year, as selected by the members of the CBA. The biggest winner of the night was Rae Gordon, who took home three awards and was also inducted into the Muddy Award Hall of Fame for taking home the Duffy Bishop Female Vocalist of the Year award for the third straight year. Other highlights included first-time winners John Mazzocco, Andy Stokes, and Brian Foxworth, and a “Paul deLay” Lifetime Achievement award presented to the late Linda Hornbuckle. Linda’s close friends, Brian Foxworth and LaRhonda Steele, accepted the award.Rae Gordon

Congratulations go out to all the Muddy Award recipients and nominees!

It could not be a night of celebration of the blues without live music and we were treated by sets from the CBA’s Journey To Memphis winners Sister Mercy and the Rogue Rage Duo. Ben Rice led an all star grouping that he pieced together that was a fine showing of many of the Northwest’s best players and a short preview of Dave Fleschner’s The Blues Cabaret with fellow vocalists Earl Thomas, Billy Mixer, and Jimmy Wilcox. The overall All Star band consisted of: Alan Hager, Allen Markel, Ashbolt Stewart, Ben Rice, Dan Gildea, Dave Fleschner, Dave Melyan, Dean Mueller, Doug Rowell, Earl Thomas, Ed Neumann, Gabe Cox, Jason “JT” Thomas, Jeff Hayes, Jimi Bott, John Mazzocco, Josh Makosky,  Julie Amici, Karen Lovely, Kevin Selfe, LaRhonda Steele, Lisa Mann, Naomi Tatsuoka, Rae Gordon, Rich Layton, and Steve Kerin.

Special thanks go out to the folks at The Melody Ballroom for providing their grand ballroom once again this year, JBL Productions for the stage work, lights, and sound; Affordable Trophies, Big Screen Productions, and Cedar House Media; Wendy Schumer for creating the slide show and program design; Greg Johnson, Jim Dorothy, and Tony Kutter for their photography; Cherie Robbins for assisting in handing out trophies on stage, Sandy Forst for working the door, and Brenda Docken for assisting with merchandise sales; and finally to the CBA Board of Directors for their work in making this event take place, and of course all of the presenters.

This years Muddy Award Recipients are:

Contemporary Blues Act: Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes
“Lloyd Jones” R&B Act: Norman Sylvester Band
Traditional Blues Act: Ben Rice Trio
Regional Blues Act: Ty Curtis Band
Best New Act: Bottleneck Blues Band
“Duffy Bishop” Female Vocalist: Rae Gordon
“Curtis Salgado” Male Vocalist: Andy Stokes
Electric Guitar: Phil “Suburban Slim” Wagner
“Terry Robb” Acoustic Guitar: Alan Hager
Bass: John Mazzocco
Harmonica: Mitch Kashmar
Keyboards: Dover Weinberg
“Jimi Bott” Drums: Brian Foxworth
Horns: Peter Moss
Venue: The Blue Diamond
“The Hurley Award”: Steve Gross
Northwest Recording: Rae Gordon – Dirty Flowers
National Recording: Sugaray Rayford – Southside
Northwest Blues Event: Bronze, Blues & Brews
Performance of the Year: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram at the Waterfront Blues Festival
Back What You Believe In: Rae Gordon
Lifetime Achievement: Linda Hornbuckle

Terry Robb with Alan Hager Rae Gordon Phil Suburban Slim Wagner Peter Moss Norman Sylvester (1) Mitch Kashmar Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes John Mazzocco Brian Foxworth Bottleneck Blues Band Ben Rice Andy Stokes

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland
Wednesday, November 4, 6:30 pm
Members always Free – Non-members attending the Muddys $5.00

It’s here again. The biggest night for the blues in the City of Portland as the Cascade Blues Association honors those deserving musicians, venues, events, recordings, and individuals with the highly coveted Muddy Awards for outstanding achievement during this past year. Twenty-two categories will be presented by members of the CBA Board of Directors, noted artists and other friends of the blues recognizing those chosen as recipients by the members of the Cascade Blues Association by ballots the past two months.

Be sure to arrive early since this annual event draws over 500 attendees and tables fill up quickly. It is a gala event, so feel free to dress up a little, but it is not required. Because of the early start, The Melody Ballroom will have dinners available for purchase.

Since we are honoring our local musicians, it is only fitting that we have live performances to enhance the evening. Opening the night will be the Cascade Blues Association’s 2015 Journey To Memphis winners, Sister Mercy, at 6:30. The Awards presentations will begin right around 7:30 following a tribute to those artists we lost in the past year since the last Muddy Awards ceremonies. Mid-way through the awards, we will continue with tradition with a musical interlude featuring our 2015 Journey To Memphis solo/duo winners, traveling all the way from Medford to participate, Rogue Rage Duo. After the conclusion of the awards, it’s time to party. Every year we invite a musician to put together an all-star jam band including past and present Muddy Award nominees and recipients. This year’s guest band leader is two-time International Blues Challenge finalist and rising blues star Ben Rice. Ben has already pieced together an impressive line-up, but he is still talking to others for commitments. At this time expect to enjoy performances including: Big Monti Amundson, Dave Fleschner, Dave Melyan, Karen Lovely, Kevin Selfe, Lisa Mann, Rae Gordon, and Rich Layton. This is quite an impressive grouping indeed.

The Muddy Awards is an event not to miss. Please join us for what is always one of the highest anticipated nights for the Portland Blues Community. If you’re not a member, you can always join at the venue if you’d like. This, like all Cascade Blues Association monthly meetings, is open to all ages.

Final ballots are out with the choices made by our members in the nomination round. The top three vote-getters (or more in the event of ties) are on the ballot for you to choose from. Please make your selections from those on the ballot only. Write-ins will not be counted.

In order for us to be able to count the votes and to place orders for the trophies for the winners, we need to receive your ballots back to us post-marked no later than Monday, October 12. You can turn them in directly to us at the October General membership Meeting.

Don’t delay, send them back as soon as you can!

PLEASE NOTE: This listing is merely a guidance to assist with your Muddy Award nominations submissions.  A lot has happened over the past year and hopefully this list will help you remember some of the great shows that we were fortunate to have here in Portland. Apologies in advance for anything we may have overlooked.
LOCAL SHOWS NATIONAL TOURING ACTS FESTIVALS/EVENTS
– A Whyte Xmas-Ellen Whyte & The Plus Size Band – 24th Street Wailers – 4th annual Inner City Blues Festival
– AC Porter – Alabama Shakes – A benefit for Robin Gibson
– AC Porter & The Livewires – Amy Keys – Afro World Music Night
– AC Porter 4th of July Party – Ana Popovic – Beacon Hill Blues Festival
– AC Porter Blues Drifter – Blind Willies – Beale & Birthday Bash
– Achilles Wheel – Blind Wolf – Beaumont Street Fair
– Acoustic Gumbo with Karen Lovely and Friends – Bobby Rush – Beavercreek Stars in the Park
– Acoustic Jam w/Chuck Gilman – Brad Stivers – Benefit for Alyssa Lilly
– Al Hendrix/Levi Dexter/Shuggie B Goode – California Honeydrops – Benefit for NW Companions – Fabulous Farlanes
– Alan Hager, Dean Mueller & Friends – Candye Kane – Ben Rice – Lucy Hammond IBC Fundraiser
– Alan Jones 6Tet – Carolyn Wonderland – Bill Rhoades Birthday Bash
– Alice Rice’s Singer/Songwriter hour – CeDell Davis – Billy D & The Hoodoos – Billy’s 65th Bday Bash
– Alice Stuart – Cee Cee James – Billy D & The Hoodoos Halloween
– Alistairs Angels w/Sandy Saunders – Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band – Billy D & The Hoodoos NY Eve Special
– Andy Madson Band w/Roni Lee – Coco Montoya – Bite of Gresham
– Andy Stokes Band – Dana Fuchs – Bolt Upright Halloween Party
– Andy Stokes Band sings Marvin Gaye – David Vest – Bolt Upright Valentine’s Party
– Angel Bouchet Band – Davinna & The Vagabonds – Brewer’s Memorial Ale Festival
– Ants In The Kitchen – Delta Saints – Bronze, Blues and Brews Festival
– Arthur “Fresh Air” Moore – Dennis Jones Band – Cancer Benefit For Tim “Too Slim” Langford
– Aryon Jones / Rich Layton & The Troublemakers – Dexter Allen with Lady A & The Linda Hornbuckle Band – Cascade Blues Cruise
– Ashbolt – Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe – Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
– Ashbolt w/Blvd Park – Doug MacLeod – CBA Holiday Party
– Ashbolt w/Buzz Holland Trio – Doug MacLeod CD Release Party – CBA Journey To Memphis Competition
– Ashbolt w/Dub Debrie – Eddie Turner – CBA Monthly Membership Meeting
– Ashbolt w/Oldscool – Electric Guitars: Eric Johnson & Mike Stern – CBA Muddy Awards
– Ashbolt’s Beats Workin’ – Francine West & The High Speed Wobblers – CBA Picnic
– Ashbolt’s Beats Workin’ w/Kid Andersen/Aki Kumar & Steve Ehrmann! – Geezer/The Trangshifters – CBA Red and White Blues Dance
– AudioAvi8r – Giants Of Jazz & Blues – Celebration of Gospel w/LaRhonda Steele
– B Up Duo – Gov’t Mule – Cherie’s Blues Highway
– Banditos CD Release Party – Gretchen Miller Band – Cider Summit
– Bart Ferguson & The Edward Stanley Band – Guitar Lightnin’ Lee – Columbia Gorge International Film Festival
– BC & The Bluesdwellers – Honey Bee Jackson – Concordia Campus Blues Festival
– Beadhead – J.R. Sims & The Texas Special Blues – Dustbowl Revival
– Ben Jones & Friends – Janiva Magness – Good In The Hood
– Ben Jones Band – Jimmy Thackery – Grapes, Grains and Grooves Festival
– Ben Rice – Lucy Hammond – JJ Grey & Mofro – Guitars Under the Stars
– Ben Rice & Karen Lovely – John Mayall – Heart Like a Wheel: A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt & Fundraiser for Parkinson’s Resource of Oregon
– Ben Rice & Ty Curtis – Josh Hoyers Shadowboxers – Holiday Showcase featuring Curtis Salgado, LaRhonda Steele, Mary Kaddery, Julie Amici
– Ben Rice and the iLLamatics – JP Soars – Ilwaco Blues Festival
– Ben Rice Band – JR Sims – JaneFest – Karen Lovely
– Ben Rice Colossal B3 Trio – Keb’ Mo’ – Jim Mesi Band – Shiners Toy Drive
– Ben Rice, Dave Fleschner – Kenny “Blue” Ray – Kalama Music Festival
– Benjamin Booker – Laura Ivancie – Ken DeRouchie Band – NY Eve Ball
– Beverly Frentress & Stone Soup Blues – Laurie Morvan – Ken DeRouchie Band – Ugly Sweater Contest
– Big Bridges – Lucinda Williams – Ken DeRouchie Band – Xmas Special
– Big Head Todd & The Monsters – Lucky Peterson – Lloyd Jones Big-Time Birthday Bash
– Big Monti – Marcia Ball – Lloyd Jones Quartet “Halloween the next day”
– Big Monti & Friends – Maria Muldaur – Lloyd Jones w/Rae Gordon Xmas Special
– Big Monti w/ Peter Dammann – Mia Dyson – Love for Annie featuring Ty Curtis
– Big Sandy – Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method – Menucha Blues In the Gorge Concert
– Big Yellow Taxi – Polly O’Keary Band – Molalla Brew Fest
– Bill Rhoades & Friends – Robben Ford – Molalla Music & Wine Fest
– Bill Rhoades & The Party Kings – Robert Cray Band – More Love for Linda Tribute Concert
– Billy D & The Hoodoos – Robin Trower – Mysti Krewe of Nimbus 5th annual Mardi Gras Ball featuring Charmaine Neville
– Blackberry Jam – Scott Holt – New Year’s Bash with Mel Brown
– Blue Canyon Boys – Seth Walker – Norman Sylvester – -Halibut’s Farewell Party
– Blue Evolution – Shorty & The Mustangs – NW Acoustic Guitar Contest and Concert
– Blue Monday w/Ed Neumann & Dover Weinberg TBA – Sugaray Rayford – NW Musicians Workshop 101 and Jam w/Rae Gordon
– Blues Dance w/Alam Hager/Dave Fleschner – Tedeschi Trucks Band – NW Women R&B
– Blues Dance, Julie Amici & Friends – Teresa James – Open Garden Art Show
– Bolt Upright – The Blues Caberet featuring Dave Fleschner, Earl Thomas, Billy Mixer, and Jimmy Wilcox – Oregon Coast Music Festival
– Bolt Upright Blue Monday JAM – The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit & Hillstomp – PacNW Showcase: IBC Fundraiser
– Bolt Upright Early Bird Jam – Tommy Castro & The Painkillers – Portland Whiskey Town Festival
– Bolt Upright Jam – Rally for Aly
– Bolt Upright Night Owl Jam – Red, White and Blues Festival
– Boltlandia Jam – Road Dog Tales N’ Jam
– Boltlandia Trio – Road to Abbee Benefit
– Bones and Brews – Sandy Mtn Festival
– BonTon Roulet – Sisters Music Festival
– BonTon Roulet/New Iberians – Something To Talk About: A Portland Bonnie Raitt Tribute
– Boon’s Treasury – Sonny Hess “NW Women in Rhythm & Blues”
– Bottleneck Blues Band – Soul Cookin’ w/Ty Curtis “Orphans Xmas Eve”
– Bottleneck Blues/ Rose City Kings – Soulful Giving Blanket Concert
– Brady Gross Band – Sternwheeler Days
– Brandon Campbell’s Combo Diabolique – Stevenson Blues and Brews Festival
– Brian Flynn, Alan Hager & Dave Fleschner – Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular
– Bridge City Blues Band – Summer Art on Main Street
– Bridgetown Sextet – Sunday Gospel Show w/Rae Gordon
– British Re-Invasion – Tell Mama – Tribute to Etta James
– Broadstroaks – Terry Robb Acoustic Guitar Summit
– Bureau of Standards – Thara Memory concert/benefit: “Giants of Jazz & Blues”
– Bureau of Standards Big Band – The 20th Annual Blues Harmonica Summit
– Buzz Holland Trio – The Bite and Brew of Salem
– Calico The Band – The Islands Moorage Party
– Candy-O w/Meltdown – Too Slim All-Star Benefit
– Carlton Jackson – Troutdale Summer Concert Series
– Charles Bradley – Tualatin Crawfish Festival
– Charlie Musselwhite – Twangfest NW 2014
– Chris Baum Big Band – Umpqua Valley Summer Arts Festival
– Chris Baum Project – Untapped Blues Festival
– Chris Carlson – Vancouver Brewfest
– Chris Carlson Experience – Walla Walla Guitar Fest
– Chris Smither – Winthrop Blues Festival
– Chuck Berry Tribute – Women in Blues featuring LaRhonda Steele, Mary Flower, Anne Weiss
– Chuck Gilman Acoustic Jam – Women Rhythm & Blues Christmas Concert Gala and Benefit
– Chuck Israels
– Coco Columbia
– Common Ground
– Contraband w/Burnside 5
– Cool Breeze
– Coyote Kings/ Big Monti & Peter Dammann
– Crash Sunday/The Dixie Wrecked Band
– Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
– Curtis Salgado
– Curtis Salgado Band
– Dance Machine
– Darrell Grant
– Dave Edmunds Tribute
– Dave Fleschner’s Blues Cabaret w Earl Thomas/Billy Mixer/Jimmy Wilcox
– Dave Melyan Organ Trio
– Dave Melyan’s Mayhen Trio
– David Jacobs-Strain
– David Pinsky/Phil Newton CD Release
– Dennis Mitchell & Friends
– Dept of R&B
– Detour
– Dischords/Jon Koonce’s Vermadons
– Djangofiles
– DK Stewart Sextet
– DK Stewart Trio
– Don & The Quixotes
– Don’t Tell Mary
– Dope Ass Kats
– Dorado
– Dover Weinberg
– Dover Weinberg, Mitch Kashmar & Mike Klobas
– Dover Weinberg, Whit Draper & Fred Ingram
– Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio/MelBrown B3 Organ Group
– Drop Dead Red
– Dub DeBrie Jam
– Duffy Bishop
– East Bay Grease Meets The Portland Soul All-Stars
– Ed Neumann & Ben Rice
– Ed Neumann & Chris Carlson
– Ed Neumann & Doug Rowell & Country Blues
– Ed Neumann & Franco Paletta
– Ed Neumann & Jason Thomas
– Ed Neumann & Ken Scandlyn
– Ed Neumann & Mitch Kashmar
– Ed Neumann & Steve Bradley
– Ed Neumann & The Big Easy Band
– Ed Neumann w/Big Monti
– Ed Neumann w/Norman Sylvester
– Ed Neumann w/Robbie Laws
– Ed Neumann, Ben Rice & Dave Melyan
– Ed Neumann, Chris Carlson & Jim Solberg
– Ed Neumann, Johnny Moore & Norman Sylvesyter
– Ed Neumann, Johnny Moore & Phil Wagner
– Ed Neumann, Johnny Moore & Steve Bradley
– Ed Neumann, Johnny Moore & Duffy Bishop
– Ed Neumann, Steve Bradley & Johnny Moore
– Eddie Martinez
– Ellen Whyte – Big Band
– Ellen Whyte, Gene and Jean
– Emeralds and Roses Blues Dance
– Eric “Sugar” Larson
– Eric Larson Group
– Eric Sugar Larsen
– Eugene Organ Trio
– Ezra Weiss Septet
– Farnell Newton & Friends
– First City Celebration
– Fondell’s
– Foxworth, Houston & Elson
– Franck Goldwasser & Friends
– Franco Paletta & The Stingers
– Franco Paletta & The Stingers Blues Jam
– Franco Paletta w/Terry Robb
– G. Love & Special Sauce
– Gabriel Cox
– Gabriel Cox & Still Water Vibes CD Release
– Gem Creole
– Get Down Jones
– Gil Reynolds and Deep Blue
– Giorgios
– Golden Harvest Presents: King Louie & LaRhonda Steele
– Gospel Blues w/Rae Gordon
– Grant Dermody, Henry Cooper, & Dean Mueller
– Greg Izor
– Grey Dogz
– Hager/Fleschner Duo
– Half Way There
– Halloween with Trixie & the Nasties!
– Hank Shreve Band
– Hank Shreve Band w/Terry Robb
– Harlem Street Singer: The Guitar Gospel Of Reverend Gary Davis.
– Heart Beat
– Headhunters
– Heatwave
– Heavy Chevy
– Hess-Stevens Band
– Hifi Mojo
– Holfar Blue
– Holy Child
– Hominid Prime
– Hot Roux
– Hot Tea Cold
– Hot Tuna
– Jacob Merlin
– Jam Night W Ken, Danny & Jon
– James Clem
– James Clem/Mary Flower
– Jawbone Flats
– Jersey Soul
– Jesse Samsel Band
– Jim Kweskin and Geoff Muldaur
– Jim Mesi
– Jim Mesi & Steve Bradley Surf Party
– Jim Mesi Band
– Jim Mesi w/Ed Neumann
– Jim Mesi, Steve Bradley w/Big Monti
– Jim Mesi/Steve Bradley Duo
– Jim Wallace
– Jim Wallace w/Suburban Slim
– Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition
– Jingle Balls – Big Monti, Robbie Laws, Doug Rowell & Michael Quimby
– Joanne Broh Band
– Joanne Broh Band, Lisa Mann, Lady “A” Gospel & Blues
– Joe Ely, Ruthie Foster & Paul Thorn
– Joe McMurrian, Mary Flower & Lewi Longmire
– Joey MacKenzie Band
– John Mazzocco & His Band of All-stars
– John Nemeth
– Johnnie Ward & Friends
– Johnny Boyd
– Johnny Ward & Friends
– Johnny Winter – Down & Dirty – Reel Film Festival
– Jon Koonce & The Vermadons w/Robbie Laws
– Jon Koonce’s Vermadons
– Josh Fulero
– JT Wise Band
– Julie Amici
– Julie Amici Trio
– Julie Amici Trio
– Julie Amici with Alan Hager
– Julie Amici with Chris Carlson
– Jumptown Aces/Suburban Slim
– KD & the Hurt Motown review
– Karen Lovely – Living Room Series
– Karen Lovely & The Too Loose Cajun Band
– Karen Lovely (acoustic trio w/ Dave Fleschner & Ben Rice)
– Karen Lovely Band
– Karen Lovely -Prohibition Blues
– Karen Lovely/Mary Flower
– Karla Harris CD Release
– Kate Power & Steve Einhorn
– Kathryn Claire, Zak Borden, Allen Hunter & Don Henson
– KC Roberts
– KC Roberts & The Live Revolution
– KD & The Hurt
– Ken Brewer Band
– Ken DeRouchie Band
– Ken, Danny & Jon Jam
– Kenny “Blue” Ray w/Robbie Laws
– Kenny Blue Ray w/Kenzil Hyde opening
– Kenny James Miller Band
– Kenny Koffer & The Third Power
– Kenny Kofler Benefit
– Kenny Lavitz
– Kenny Lavitz Kombo
– Kenny Lavitz w/Greg Sommers
– Kevin Selfe & Allen Markel
– Kevin Selfe & Sugaray Rayford – Rose City Blues Dance
– Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes
– Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes w/Big Band
– Kevin Selfe w/Ed Neumann
– Kevin Selfe w/John Pounds
– Kevin Selfe w/Sultans of Slide
– Kevin Selfe, Mitch Kashmar & Dean Mueller
– Kimberly Hall Band
– King Louie & LaRhonda Steele duo
– King Louie & Reggie Houston
– King Louie Trio
– King Louie’s Portland Blues Revue
– Kinzel & Hyde
– Kitty
– Knowle Roars
– Knuckleheads
– Kris Loger band
– Kyle Jester Blues show w/Ben Rice
– Land Between The Lakes
– Land of the Living
– LaRhonda Steele
– Laughing Clam
– Lauren Sheehan Trio
– Levi Dexter CD Release/Shoogie B Goode
– Lil’ Queenie
– Lil’ Queenie CD Release Party
– Linda Hornbuckle Band
– Lisa Mann
– Lisa Mann & Diane Blue
– Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band
– Lisa Mann & Larry Haggin
– Lisa Mann & Sonny Hess
– Lisa Mann Band & Polly O’Keary Band
– Lisa Mann Power Trio
– Lisa Mann Trio
– Lisa Mann w/Robbie Laws
– Live Wires
– Lloyd Allen
– Lloyd Jones
– Lloyd Jones Acoustic Duo
– Lloyd Jones Acoustic Trio w/Curtis Salgado
– Lloyd Jones Band
– Lloyd Jones Band w/Steve Kerin
– Lloyd Jones Quartet
– Lloyd Jones Trio
– Lloyd Jones w/Paris Slim
– Lonesome Holler
– Loose Change
– Los Diablitos
– Lovely Lost
– Lucas Beispiel
– Lucy Hammond
– Lucy Hammond w/Scott Atkins
– Lucy Hammond w/Scott Atkins & Ben Rice
– Lucy Hammond w/Scott Atkins & Erin & The Project
– Ma Fondue
– Mac & Dub
– Margo Tufo
– Mary Flower & the BBQ Boys
– Mbrasctau
– Mel Brown B3 Organ Group
– Melanie Roy
– Melissa Ruth & Likely Stories/Waysiders
– Men in Blues
– Michael Osborne & The Drivers
– Michele Van Kleef
– Midnight Honey
– Midnight Serenaders
– Midnight Suns
– Mighty Mouth Blues Show live w/Scott Atkins,& Ben Rice
– Mike Branch Band
– Mike Phillips Band
– Mitch Kashmar
– Mitch Kashmar, Alan Hager, & Dean Mueller
– Mitch Kashmar, Dave Mathis, Alan Hager, Jimi Bott & John Neish
– Mr Musu
– MRC, RootJack, We Three
– MRC/Root Jack
– Mz Dee & The Side Kicks
– Neil Darling Band
– New Iberians
– Nico Wind & Free Rein
– Nico Wind’s Road Dog Tales n Jam
– Nicole Glover CD release
– Norman Sylvester
– Norman Sylvester – after party
– Norman Sylvester Duo
– Norman Sylvester w/Ed Neumann
– NW Roots uprising CD Release
– One Draw Gallery
– Pat Stilwell Band
– Patrick Lamb Band
– Pete Karnes Reunion Concert & CD Release Party
– Petunia & The Vipers
– Phamous Phaces
– Phil Friendly
– Phil Friendly / Wyatt Lowe & Mayhem Kings
– Pin & The Hornits
– Poor Boy
– Popa Chubby
– Portland Soul All-Stars
– Radio Giants
– Radio Gumbo
– Rae Gordon
– Rae Gordon – Etta James Tribute
– Rae Gordon & Michael Leasure
– Rae Gordon & No Mann’s Band
– Rae Gordon Band w.Big Monti
– Rae Gordon CD Release Party
– Rae Gordon Gospel & Independence Jam
– Rae Gordon w.Big Monti
– Rae Gordon/Stacy Jones
– Rae Gordon’s Gospel Sunday
– Rafael Tranquilino
– Randy Hansen
– Randy Morrison’s Party Bus
– Randy Oxford Band
– Raphael Tranquilo Band
– Rebirth of the Cool
– Recker w/Mike Branch
– Red Hot Funky Blues
– Redwood Son
– Reggie Houston duo
– Reggie Houston Quartet
– Reggie Houston/Louis Pain
– Renegade Blues w/The Eric “Sugar” Larsen Group
– Renegade Blues w/The Neil Darling Band
– Renegade Blues w/The Next 2 Tracks
– Renegade Blues w/Ty Curtis Band
– Renegade Blues Workshop & Jam W/ Gabe Cox
– Renegade Blues Workshop w/Joe McMurrian
– Return Flight
– Reverb Brothers
– Reverend Freakchild
– Rhythm Renegades
– Rich Delgrosso, Mary Flower, Dean Meuller
– Rich Layton & The Troublemakers
– Richard Allen’s Louisiana Experience
– Richard Arnold
– Richard Wilkins Blues Band
– Robbie Laws
– Rockin PF Out
– Rockstar’s, Musicians & Friends Luncheon Happy Hour
– Rocky Martin & Friends
– Ron Stephens & Freak Flag Fly
– Roni Lee
– Rose City Kings
– Roseland Hunters
– Rowell & Quinby Project
– Roy Kay Trio
– Run 21 (Resurrection)
– Sabroso
– Saeeda Wright & Friends
– Sammy Eubanks
– Satisfi
– School Sonny Hess CD Release
– Scotty Bouck and guests
– Sean and Fred Show
– Second Season
– Second Seasons Productions- Ellen Whyte
– Shakey Graves
– Sharkskin Revue
– Sherrie Wolf, Hester Carr w/Peter Hayes
– Shirley Mannette
– Singer Songwriter hosted by Lucy Hammond & Friends
– Sister Mercy
– Six Fingers
– Slicker
– Slim Bacon
– Sonny Hess
– Sonny Hess & Ellen Whyte
– Sonny Hess & Lisa Mann
– Sonny Hess & Vicki Stevens
– Sonny Hess w/Kelly Pierce
– Sonny Hess, Lisa Mann & Megan James
– Sonny Hess, Lisa Mann & Vicki Stevens
– Sonny Hess, Vicki Stevens & Kelly Pierce
– Sonny Hess’s Women In Blues
– Soul Commanders
– Soul Cookin’
– Soul Vaccination
– Soulcity
– Soulmates
– Sportin’ Lifers
– Stacy Jones Band
– Stacy Jones CD Release Party
– Stars of Cascadia
– Stephanie Schneiderman
– Steve Bailey & Blue Flames
– Steve Kerin & Friends
– Steven Graves
– Stevens Hess Band
– Still Water Vibes
– Strange Tones
– Strawberry Roan
– Suburban Slim Band
– Suburban Slim Blues Jam
– Suburban Slim w/Jim Wallace
– Taylor John Williams
– Tee Simpson/Ocean 503
– Terry Robb
– Terry Robb & Dean Mueller
– Terry Robb and David Vest
– Terry Robb Trio
– Terry Robb Trio w/Justus Reece
– Terry Robb w/Albert Reda
– Terry Robb w/Doug Smith & Mark Hanson
– Terry Robb w/John Pounds
– Terry Robb w/Lauren Sheehan
– Terry Robb, Doug Smith & Mark Hanson
– Thara Memory’s Superband “Soul to Soul”
– The 44’s
– The Alan Jones Sextet
– The Bad Plus
– The Bobby Tones Ensemble
– The Dixie Wrecked Band
– The Fenix Project
– The Get Ahead
– The Heavy Chevy Band
– The Hextrimmers / Wherewithall
– The Jacob Merlin Band with Sarah Billings
– the JAZZshack
– The Karen Lovely Band w/ Lloyd Jones
– The Ken DeRouchie Band
– The Ken DeRouchie Band/The Chris Baum Project
– The Loafers
– The Madson Band / Nu Wavers
– The Mel Brown Septet CD Release
– The Melanie Roy Band
– The New Iberians
– The New Iberians – WFBF After Hours
– The Pat Stilwell Band
– The Paul Creighton Project
– The Quadraphonnes CD Release
– The Reflex
– The Robbie Laws Band
– The Sharkskin Revue
– The Sludge Brothers / Beadhead
– The Spitfires
– The Sportin’ Lifers
– The Steve Turre Band
– The Stevens Hess Band with Lady Kat and Fenix
– The Strange Tones & Volcano Vixens
– The Toads
– The Ventilators & Arthur Moore
– The Ventilators with Michele D’Amour & the Love Dealers
– The Vermen
– The Wilds
– The Wood Brothers
– Those Guys Blues Band
– Three for Silver
– Three Leg Torso
– Thrillride
– ThunderFUNK
– Tillamook Burn CD Release
– Timmy Tombstone
– Tom Bergeron Brasil Band
– Tommy Hogan
– Tommy Thomsen CD Release Partyy
– Toney Rocks
– Tony Starlight
– Too Loose Cajun Zydeco Band
– Too Slim & The Taildraggers
– Too Slim w/Big Monti
– Tough Love Pile
– Town in City
– Tracey Fordice & The 8 Balls
– Tribute to the band Pleasure
– Trigger’s Revenge
– Trixy and The Nasties with Louis Pain
– Two Man Gentlemen Band
– Ty Curtis
– Ty Curtis w/Louis Pain
– Typsy Ramblers
– United By Music
– Ural Thomas & the Pain
– Valhalla
– Vinyl Gold
– Vyasa Dodson
– WAMBA + 1000 Fuegos
– Warren Rand
– Way Downs
– Where’s Danny
– Whiskey Hill
– Wild Rumpus Band
– Willie Jones III
– Wingtips

1 – Do not select a person who has already been awarded a lifetime achievement award for this category. You can only win this once as you only have one life. Check the back of the ballot for the list.

2 – The categories that have artist names in front of them are honoring those individuals for the number of times they have received the award. In order to have one named after them, they must have received the award no less than 12 times and agree to no longer be eligible for that category. So, if the category is named after somebody (i.e. the “Duffy Bishop” Female Vocalist) please do not nominate that person.

3 – There is always confusion about Traditional and Contemporary. Traditional applies to acoustic blues or those performing in the classical electric styles of early regional styles like Chicago or Texas (i.e. Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, etc.). Contemporary is modern electric blues that may encompass newer genres like rock, metal, hip hop, etc.

4 – A Performance is recognition of a single artist or band for a gig that they played; this can be a collaboration of musicians for a single performance.

5 – An Event refers to a setting with multiple artists playing individual sets. This would include festivals, fundraisers, benefits, tributes, etc.

6 – A Venue is a location be it a club, store, theater or wherever that holds regular shows. It is not a location that is holding an event or a one-time scheduled show.

7 – Regional acts refers to those artists outside of the Portland metro area within Oregon, Washington or Idaho – if an artist is from Louisiana, California, Europe or anywhere else outside of the described region they are not eligible for this category.

8 – If an act was previously nominated for New Act then they’re not really a new act, are they?

9 – Albums to be counted for the ballot, whether Northwest or National, must have been released during the time period between September 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015. We will check on release dates.

10 – Do not enter an act more than once in a category, it will still only count as one nomination. (Yes, we do have people send in their ballots like this).

11 – If you enter more than three nominations in any one category, all will be voided and not counted for that category.

12 – Do not write in comments or complaints on the ballots. They are not going to be considered or read, so don’t waste your time with them here. We’re only interested in who your selections are.

13 – Please use your best judgement on your selections. If you’re unsure, you’re not required to enter all categories or all three permitted spaces. If you don’t know the artists in the categories, don’t just look back on past nominees, we want everybody deserving to have a chance, which means many newer acts or long-time acts who have been overlooked deserve the opportunity, too.

14 – Please fill out your own ballot. This is a benefit of being a member, only members are supposed to be voting. Do not give them to a friend or team up with others to “stuff” the ballots. Let’s make them meaningful as they’re meant to be. And don’t ask us, we have no intention of telling you who you should nominate. Make it open and fair to all.

15 – Consider everybody. Please go out and check out different performers along with your favorites when you decide to spend time listening to music. There are a lot of musicians, recordings, venues out there that are deserving, but we’re limited to who we can place on a ballot. Remember, the final selections come from our members. This is your choices. If you do not take the time to nominate, or if you’re not a member, you cannot complain about the outcome.