Critics’ Poll
Blues Artist of the Year (Male)
Lurrie Bell
Blues Artist of the Year (Female)
Ruthie Foster
Most Outstanding Blues Singer
Bobby Bland
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)
Lurrie Bell
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)
Billy Boy Arnold
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)
Ironing Board Sam
Most Outstanding Musician (Bass)
Bob Stroger
Most Outstanding Musician (Drums)
Kenny Smith
Most Outstanding Musician (Horns)
Eddie Shaw
Most Outstanding Musician (Other)
Dom Flemons – Banjo
Best Live Performer
Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials
Comeback Artist(s) of the Year
Jewel Brown and Milton Hopkins
Artist Deserving More Attention
Blind Boy Paxton
Best Blues Albums of 2012
Album of the Year
Mud Morganfield – Son of the Seventh Son – Severn Records
New Recordings/Contemporary Blues
Joe Louis Walker – Hellfire – Alligator Records
New Recordings/ Southern Soul
Barbara Carr – Keep the Fire Burning – Catfood Records
New Recordings/ Best debut
Heritage Blues Orchestra – And Still I Rise – Raisin Music
New Recordings/ Traditional & Acoustic
Carolina Chocolate Drops – Leaving Eden – Nonesuch Records
Historical Pre-War
Various Artists – The Return of the Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of – Yazoo Records
Historical Post-War
Various Artists – Plug It In! Turn It Up! A History of Electric Blues – Bear Family Records
Blues Book of the Year
Ernie K-Doe: The Emperor of New Orleans – Ben Sandmel – The Historic New Orleans Collection
Producer of the Year – New Recording
Larry Skoller and Matthew Skoller – Heritage Blues Orchestra – And Still I Rise – Raisin Music
Producer of the Year – New Recording
Bill Dahl – Plug It In! Turn It Up! A History of Electric Blues – Bear Family Records
Readers’ Poll
Blues Artist of the Year (Male)
Buddy Guy
Blues Artist of the Year (Female)
Janiva Magness
Most Outstanding Blues Singer
Buddy Guy
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)
Robert Cray
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)
Charlie Musselwhite
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)
Marcia Ball
Best Live Performer
Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials
Best Blues Album of 2012 (New Release)
Buddy Guy – Live at Legends – RCA/Silvertone
Best Blues Album of 2012 (Historical Recording)
Albert King – I’ll Play the Blues for You – Stax Records
Best Blues DVD of 2012
Muddy Waters and the Rolling Stones – Checkerboard Lounge Live Chicago 1981 – Eagle Vision
