The nominees for the 27th annual Maple Blues Awards have been announced, and the Blackburn Brothers, Matt Andersen, and Brandon Isaak are among the leading nominees.
The Blackburn Brothers collectively earned a record-setting nine nominations. The group is nominated for entertainer of the year, electric act of the year, recording/producer of the year and songwriter of the year, while the individual members — Brooke, Cory, Duane and Nathan — are nominated for five additional awards for their respective instruments. Additionally, Bobby Dean Blackburn, the family patriarch, is nominated for the Blues With a Feeling Award for lifetime achievement.
Andersen received five nominations, including entertainer of the year and songwriter of the year. Isaak is nominated in four categories, including songwriter of the year.
Sue Foley, Bywater Call, and Crystal Shawanda are also among those nominated for multiple awards, with each receiving three nominations.
The nominees for entertainer of the year are the Blackburn Brothers, Bywater Call, Blue Moon Marquee, Matt Andersen and Angelique Francis.
The award for new artist/group of the year will go to either Garnetta Cromwell & DaGroovmasters, the Angelina Hunter Trio, the Little Magic Sam Band, Sandra Bouza, or The Sugar Darlings.
The nominees for songwriter of the year are the Blackburn Brothers, André Bisson, Brandon Isaak, Matt Andersen, and Crystal Shawanda.
This year’s nominees for the Blues With a Feeling Award for lifetime achievement are Alec Fraser Jr., Bobby Dean Blackburn, Brent Parkin, Cheryl Lescom, Dalannah Gail Bowen, Danny Brooks, Mike McKenna, Murray Porter, Sue Foley, and Tom Lavin.
Presented by the Toronto Blues Society, the Maple Blues Awards are Canada’s biggest night in blues. This year’s winners will be announced at the awards show at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto on Feb. 12, 2024.
Nominees are selected by a panel of 39 experts, including radio hosts, journalists and festival organizers across Canada.
The winners of the six instrumental categories are determined by the nominating panel. The other award winners will be selected by blues fans, who can cast their votes until Dec. 1.
See the full list of nominees and cast your vote at mapleblues.ca.