The Keeping the Blues Alive Awards

Memphis, TN "Twenty-two individuals and organizations will be honored with The Blues Foundation's 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award during a recognition brunch at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel Saturday, February 7, 2009 in Memphis Tennessee. The KBA ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in conjunction with the 25^{th International Blues Challenge (IBC) weekend of events that will feature the semifinals and finals of the world’s largest gathering of Blues bands, as well as seminars, presentations, and receptions for Blues societies, fans and professionals.}

The Keeping the Blues Alive Awards recognize the significant contributions to Blues music made by the people behind the scenes. Each is selected on the basis of merit by a select panel of Blues professionals. KBA Chairman Art Tipaldi notes with respect to this year’s recipients, “As is often the case, this year the committee recognized some individuals that have long-deserved to be honored as well as identifying others who have made a very impressive mark on Blues music in a relatively short period. Once again, the honorees cover the United States map. In addition, two Italian organizations were selected for their commitment to the Blues genre in their country.

The 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive recipients are:

1. Agent: Steve Hecht, Piedmont Talent, Charlotte, NC

2. Art and Photography: Dusty & Val Scott, Dusty Blues, Pittsburgh, PA

3. Blues Club: B.L.U.E.S, Chicago, IL

4. Education: Monroe County Black History Month, Monroe County, MI

5. Festival: Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Telluride, CO

6. Film, Television and Video: Willy Bearden, Memphis TN

7. Historical Preservation: Shack Up In, Clarksdale, MS

8. International: Associazione Roots ‘n’ Blues, Parma, Italy

9. Internet: Pandora.com, Oakland, CA

10. Journalism: Hal Horowitz, Marietta, GA

11. Literature: Craig Hopkins, Cedar Hill, TX

12. Manager: John Hahn, New York, NY

13. Organization: Washington Blues Society, Seattle, WA

14. Print Media: Il Blues, Milan, Italy

15. Producer: David Z, Nashville, TN

16. Promoter: Omega Events, Lake Forest, CA

17. Publicist: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, Memphis, TN

18. Radio Commercial: Kai Turner, Denver, CO

19. Radio Public: John Kessler, Seattle, WA

20. Record Label: Delta Groove, Van Nuys, CA

21. Retailer: Manifest Discs, Charlotte, NC

22. Sponsor: Barbara Hammerman, Gig Harbor, WA

Tickets to the KBA ceremony are available online at ^{www.Blues.org. The IBC weekend, commencing Wednesday, February 4, 2009, is sponsored in significant part by ArtsMemphis, bandVillage, Budweiser and its local distributor D. Canale Beverages, FedEx, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, Smokin Bluz, Sonicbids, Tennessee Arts Commission, Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission and XM Satellite Radio. Additional sponsors include: Beale Street Merchants Association, Tommy Clifton Art, Doubletree Hotel, Gibson Guitars, Holiday Inn Select, Memphis Grizzlies and the Residence Inn by Marriott.}

Media Sponsors include Beale Street Caravan, Big City Rhythm and Blues, Blues Blast, Blues Festival Guide, Blues Revue, BluesWax, Downtowner, House of Blues Radio Hour, Living Blues, Memphis Flyer, WREG-TV and XM Satellite Radio.

The Blues Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Blues history, celebrating Blues excellence, supporting Blues education, and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form. It is the umbrella organization for a worldwide network of 165 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships around the globe. In addition to the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards, The Blues Foundation produces the Blues Music Awards, the Blues Hall of Fame Induction, and the International Blues Challenge. For more information on how to support The Blues Foundation check us out on the web at ^{www.Blues.org.}