20th Annual Living Blues Awards (2013)

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