Editor Alan Pearce recently received the European Blues Award for Best Publication 2017. Seen here with with award and latest 130 page issue, Alan has run the magazine throughout its evolution over many years that includes extensive media support for European festivals and events as well as running a label.
In 2017 for the very first time, the participants in the weekly twitter forum #BluesHour were given the job of nominating the winner of Lifetime Contribution in European Blues normally selected by the team. Walter Trout was a very popular choice and is seen here being presented his award by Germany’s Cheri Lyn at the recent Leicester Blues Festival UK. On getting the news in November last year Walter expressed his thanks and was very grateful to be recognised in this way. We would like to thank Solid Entertainments for their assistance with the presentation.
Guitarist Ryan McGarvey received 2 European Blues Awards for Best Guitarist 2016 and Best Solo/Acoustic 2017 from Pete Feenstra at London’s Beaverwood Blues Club on Thursday 7th June . Ryan had been unable to tour Europe with his band in 2017 and therefore the 2016 presentation had been delayed. In front of a packed house he accepted both awards and was delighted to be recognised once again by the biggest independent genre vote outside the USA.
photo courtesy of Mark Hughes
Beth Hart was presented her European Blues Award for Best Female Vocalist 2017 at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival UK on Saturday of the May Bank Holiday event. Beth won the award in a record vote count and follows up her previous accolade for Best Album with Fire on the Floor in 2016. She was delighted to receive it and thanks all her fans voted in such numbers
More awards to be presented soon and hope to have the new website online very soon as well
EBA Team
Winners of the 37th European Blues Awards 2017 were announced at Manchester Blues Festival on Sunday 26th November and again on Monday evening at the #BluesHour forum on Twitter.
We are delighted to say that Blues Matters Magazine are the WINNERS of BEST PUBLICATION 2017
A few words from our Editor-In-Cheif – Alan Pearce (Founder & Sole Owner)
“As Blues Matters! approaches it’s landmark 100th issue and pays respect to its beginnings we learn that we have just won the European Blues Awards as best Blues publication for 2017.
Our sincere thanks to those that saw fit to bestow the honour upon us this year, it is always good to know you are watching to see how we do.
Winners announced in all categories are…
Best Album – Blues Overdrive – Overdrive Live (DEN)
Best Festival – Upton Blues Festival (UK)
Best Female Vocalist – Beth Hart (USA)
Best Male Vocalist – Ian Siegal (UK)
Best Guitarist – Erja Lyytinen (FIN)
Best Radio Show – Paul Jones Radio 2 Blues Show (UK)
Best Publication – Blues Matters Magazine (UK)
Best Solo/Acoustic – Ryan McGarvey (USA)
Best Musician (Performance) – Anthony Gomes (CAN)
Best Band – Thorbjorn Risager and the Black Tornado (DEN)
Lifetime Contribution Award (Awarded by followers of #BluesHour) Walter Trout (USA)
Post reproduced and remains copyright of Blues Matters Magazine December 3 2017 bluesmatters.com
Winners of the 37th European Blues Awards 2017 were announced at Manchester Blues Festival Sunday 26th November and again on #BluesHour forum on Monday 27th. In a record vote where the Best Album category had highest turnout ever, this year was a great showing for Denmark and Finland. One category was so close it was quite unbelievable and here is the full list of the voted winners.
Best Album – Blues Overdrive – Overdrive Live (DEN)
Best Festival – Upton Blues Festival (UK)
Best Female Vocalist – Beth Hart (USA)
Best Male Vocalist – Ian Siegal (UK)
Best Guitarist – Erja Lyytinen (FIN)
Best Radio Show – Paul Jones Radio 2 Blues Show (UK)
Best Publication – Blues Matters (UK)
Best Solo/Acoustic – Ryan McGarvey (USA)
Best Musician (Performance) – Anthony Gomes (CAN)
Best Band – Thorbjorn Risager and the Black Tornado (DEN)
Lifetime Contribution Award (Awarded by followers of #BluesHour this year)
Walter Trout (USA)
Awards will be presented between February and August 2018
Voting is now closed in 37th European Blues Awards and winners will be announced at Manchester Blues Festival UK on Sunday 26 November before being repeated during a #BluesHour Special on Twitter Monday 27 November 20.00 GMT/21.00 CET/15.00 EST. The Lifetime Contribution Award that this year for the first time has been decided by followers of #BluesHour will also be announced at that time.
Here for reference are this years finalists;
Best Band
Thorbjorn Risager and the Black Tornado (DEN) – Catfish (UK) – Kaz Hawkins Band (UK) – Band of Friends (EU)
Best Guitarist
Dudley Taft (USA) – Erja Lyytinen (FIN) – Innes Sibun (UK) – Laurence Jones (UK)
Best Male Vocalist
Marcus Malone (USA) – Ian Siegal (UK) – Paul Jones (UK)
Best Female Vocalist
Sari Schorr (USA) – Beth Hart (USA) – Elles Bailey (UK)
Best Solo/Acoustic
Dan Owen (UK) – Bex Marshall (UK) – Gwyn Ashton (UK) – Ryan McGarvey (USA) Matt Andersen (CAN)
Best Publication
Blues News (NO) – Blues Matters (UK) – Blues Magazine (NL)
Best Album/Recorded Session
Blues Overdrive – Overdrive Live (DEN) – Marcus Malone – A Better Man (USA) – Walter Trout – We’re All in This Together (USA) – Selwyn Birchwood – Pick Your Poison (USA) – Starlite Campbell Band – Blueberry Pie (UK)
Best Radio Show
Charlie Hussey Blues Train (IRE) – Paul Jones Blues Show (UK) – Blues Moose Radio (NL) Gary Grainger Blues Show (UK)
Best Musician (Performance)
Anthony Gomes (CAN) – Paul Lanb (UK) – Katie Bradley (UK)
Best Festival/Event
Linton Blues (UK) – R & B Festival Colne (UK) – Ribs en Blues (NL) – Relache Festival (FR) Upton Blues (UK)
