Muddy Waters-Muddy as Can Be

Muddy Waters

Muddy as Can Be

Born McKinley Morganfield on April 4^th of 1913, Muddy Waters has since then contributed greatly to the Blues genre, and to the music world in general.

A Chicago native, Muddy Waters was deemed the Father of Chicago Blues, and was ranked #17 in Rolling Stone’s Magazine list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Starting his career in 1941, Waters carried the sound of the Delta Blues to Chicago, where he adopted many Chicago Blues influences, and he himself inspired many of the great musicians of that era. His first recordings were destined to the Library of Congress, performing in a style similar to that of legendary artist Robert Johnson.

Waters was known for playing mean Chicago, Delta and Electric Blues that, since then, has influenced multiple generations of blues guitarists and blues inclined musicians. Also one of the most proficient guitar players in the history of music, Waters notable Gibson Les Paul and Fender Telecaster have sung classic tunes like ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’, ‘I Can’t Be Satisfied’ and ‘Got My Mojo Workin”, just to name a few.

Lifetime Achievements

During his active years  (1941-1983), Waters played with iconic blues performers such as Little Walter, Willie Dixon and Junior Wells; while inspiring the adoption of the blues by young, white artists like Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones.

Also skilled at blues vocals and the harmonica, Muddy Waters recorded with popular Chicago record labels like Testament Records, Aristocrat Records and Chess Records (the label that also signed blues songwriter Chuck Berry upon Water’s recommendation). In his lifetime, Waters released more than 40 albums, and 40 singles, and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992.

After his Death: Waters Remembered

Waters died in his sleep in 1983, while at home in Westmont, IL. A year after his death, the city of Chicago honored his musical achievements and cultural influences by assigning a one street block near his former home on E. 43^rd St. the ‘Honorary Muddy Waters Way’.

A true icon of music history, and one of the biggest contributors to blues based genres, Muddy Waters will be remembered not only for his immense talent and contagious tunes, but also for imminent effect he has had, and still has, on American music.

Two Days of Pure Blues starting May 6th

2009 Blues Music Awards will Follow the Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Memphis

The 2009 Blues Music Awards are coming up on Thursday, May 7^th following the Blues Hall of Fame Induction night on May 6^th.

The event, organized by the Blues Foundation and sponsored by the Gibson Foundation, Eagle Rock Entertainment and SonyBMG Legacy, among others, will be held at the Cook Convention Center in  Memphis, TN.

Even though the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducts artists for their musicianship in many genres that go beyond rock n’ roll, the Blues Hall of Fame is purely blues oriented in its acknowledgements. To name a few of the inductees, Taj Mahal, Buddy and B.B. King will be headlining the ceremony.

The Blues Music Awards have been a Memphis trademark for years, with the exception of a few dates when the event was hosted in the Mississippi Delta.

With 26 award categories, there are over 130 nominees, with 5 or 6 in each category. Categories include traditional blues, contemporary blues, acoustic blues, blues-rock and soul blues; as well as best performers,  best album and best song sorts. In addition, a B.B. King Entertainer Award is also customary, one of the most prestigious titles in the ceremony.

Amongst nominees is Buddy Guy for Best Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year, as well as his record ‘Skin Deep’ for Album of the Year. Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials are also nominated in the Traditional Blues Album of the Year for their release ‘Full Tilt’, competing with blues great B.B. King for his album ‘One Kind Favor.’

 The Blues Music Awards will be held less than a month from today, on May 7^th in Memphis, the capital of Blues music. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Cook Convention Center Box Office by calling (901) 527-2583 ext. 10.

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to be held at

 

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to be held at

Cleveland’s Public Hall on April 4^th, 2009

 

The Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame announced the 2009 Inductees on January 14^th. Their Induction Week Event will begin on March 28^th, closing on April 4^th with the official Induction Ceremony that will be held in Cleveland.  After 12 years of it historically being featured at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, the ceremony will take place at Cleveland’s Public Hall in Northeast Ohio.

For the first time in their 24-year history after its foundation in 1986, the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame has opened the Induction Ceremony to the public, selling out tickets within weeks of announcing their sale. The ceremony will be broadcasted Live on Fuse TV and streamed online on various different websites for the rest of the world to witness.

Inductees are only eligible for consideration 25 years after their debut release.

The 2009 inductees are:

                        Performer Category:

                                                            Jeff Beck

                                                            Little Anthony & The Imperials

                                                            Run D.M.C.

                                                            Bobby Womack

                                                            Metallica

 

                        Early Influence Category:

                                                            Wanda Jackson

 

                        Sidemen Category:

                                                            Bill Black

                                                            Spooner Oldham

                                                            DJ Fontana

The announced inductees in the Performer category are hip-hop New York based group RUN D.M.C.,  the 1960’s R&B, soul and country influenced performers BOBBY WOMACK and LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS. Also the heavy thrash metal group METALLICA, and legendary blues-rock/heavy-metal influenced guitarist & former member of the Yardbirds, JEFF BECK. Jeff Beck has been credited with 4 Grammys for Best Rock Instrumental Performances, and deemed one of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ by Rolling Stone magazine.

Inducted In the Early Influence category was 50’s American country music singer WANDA JACKSON. Jackson was merely 15 years old when she released her first recording.

In the sidemen category, drummer DJ FONTANA and bassist BILL BLACK (who both played in Elvis Presley’s band) were inducted, as well as American songwriter, keyboardist and session musician SPOONER OLDHAM. Oldham has contributed to hit songs such as “I never loved a man” by Aretha Franklin, “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett; as he has performed with music legends Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Jackson Browne.