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Shemekia Copeland, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Mike Zito and

album Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry Win Multiple Awards

MEMPHIS, TN. (June 6, 2021) - The irrepressible spirit of the blues was on full display during The

Blues Foundation’s 42nd Blues Music Awards (BMAs) presented by Global Electronic Technology
when winners across twenty-five (25) categories were announced. Broadcast virtually due to COVID
precautions, the show’s highlights included heartfelt video statements from many of the winners as
well as lively performances from several past BMA winning artists. Awarded by The Blues
Foundation’s members, the BMAs are widely recognized as the highest honour given to blues
musicians. The 42nd Blues Music Awards coincides with the 42nd annual celebration of Black Music
Month which recognizes the immeasurable influence of Black artists and their music on America's
musical traditions.

Shemekia Copeland was the show’s big winner, snagging three awards including the coveted B.B.

King Entertainer of the Year Award. Copeland was recognized with the Contemporary Blues Female
Artist award as she was in 2020, and also took the prize for Contemporary Blues Album, with Uncivil
War. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram continued his winning streak from 2020 (when he won five
awards) with two 2021 awards, winning both Contemporary Blues Male Artist and Instrumentalist –
Guitar. Blues fans tuning into the show were wowed by two stellar performances by “Kingfish” and
heard his heartfelt personal acceptance speeches. Other multiple award winners were Elvin Bishop
and Charlie Musselwhite, whose album, 100 Years of Blues, won awards for Album of the Year and
Traditional Blues Album, and Mike Zito, who won in the Blues Rock Artist category as well as the
Blues Rock Album category for Mike Zito and Friends – Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry.

Blues’ intergenerational traditions were underscored when Blues Hall of Fame artist Bettye LaVette
won Soul Blues Female Artist and Bobby Rush took the prize for Acoustic Blues Album with Rawer
than Raw. Rush, who performed during the show, appeared onstage to accept his award. Kenny
“Beady Eyes” Smith, Instrumentalist – Drum winner, continued the blues legacy of his father, Willie
“Big Eyes” Smith, who won 16 BMAs. Newcomer King Solomon Hicks was awarded Best Emerging
Artist Album for Harlem. Other standouts included Rick Estrin & the Nightcats’ win for Band of the
Year and Walter Trout’s win for Song of the Year, “All Out of Tears.”

The show’s host, perennial favourite, Big Llou, kept the show moving with his trademark spirited
banter. In addition to the tremendous performances by Bobby Rush and Christone “Kingfish”
Ingram, viewers were treated to outstanding performances by past BMA winners John Németh & the
Blue Dreamers, Shaun Murphy, Don Bryant, Watermelon Slim, and Southern Avenue. Memphis’
heritage as “The Home of the Blues” was showcased when Rodd Bland, son of Blues Hall of Fame
inductee Bobby “Blue” Bland, and the famed Royal Studio family, Boo, Yvonne, and Lorraine Mitchell
appeared to announce the BMA winners.

The Blues Foundation’s President Patricia Wilson Aden stated, “We are proud to continue the Blues
Music Awards’ time-honoured tradition in 2021. Although we were not able to gather for a live

performance, the global blues community came together virtually for an awesome celebration of the
best of the blues. We applaud all of this year’s winners and are grateful for the support of everyone
who made the 42nd Blues Music Awards a one-of-a-kind experience.”