Author: Maryam Wilcher

We especially want to recognize those we represent and send a Big Congrats to our 17 artists/musicians who received a total of 29 nominations in 17 different categories

Also want to send a big shout out to John Németh. Between his two bands, John Németh Band and Love Light Orchestra, he received 9 Nominations! WOW! Never heard of anyone receiving that many before. What a year John has had!

Many Thanks to all the Nominators! So Proud of all the Artists we work for! Always Humbled!

All of the Intrepid Nominees are listed below.
29 Nominations
17 Artists
17 Categories

Album of the Year
May Be the Last Time, John Németh
Leave the Light On, The Love Light Orchestra

B.B. King Entertainer
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Sugaray Rayford

Band of the Year
John Németh and the Blue Dreamers

Blues Rock Album
I Got Love, Albert Castiglia

Blues Rock Artist
Albert Castiglia

Contemporary Blues Male Artist
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Selwyn Birchwood

Instrumentalist – Bass
Larry Fulcher (Phantom Blues Band/Ruthie Foster)
Willie J Campbell (The Proven Ones)

Instrumentalist – Drums
Tony Braunagel

Instrumentalist – Guitar
Joanna Connor
Laura Chavez (Nikki Hill/Vanessa Collier)

Instrumentalist – Harmonica
John Németh

Instrumentalist – Vocals
Curtis Salgado
John Németh

Instrumentalist – Piano

(Pinetop Perkins Piano Player)
Jim Pugh (Phantom Blues Band)

Song of the Year
“Great Minds Drink Alike”written by Jeff Schroedl

(Altered Five Blues Band)
“The Last Time” written by John Németh

Soul Blues Album
In Too Deep, Sugaray Rayford
Leave the Light On, The Love Light Orchestra

featuring John Németh
Progeny, Kat Riggins

Soul Blues Female Artist
Annika Chambers
Kat Riggins

Soul Blues Male Artist
Curtis Salgado
John Németh

Traditional Blues Album
May Be the Last Time, John Németh
Straight From the Heart, Kenny Neal

We hope you will cast a vote for your favorite Intrepid Artists

blues.org/blues-music-awards-2/

Kenny and his brothers, Fred and Darnell have always been considered family to us and after a brief hiatus, we’re really excited to put them back on the road.

Kenny Neal is truly, The Real Deal when it comes to blues and roots music. He’s a second generation Bluesman and one of the strongest modern proponents of Louisiana Swamp Blues! Kenny, the eldest of 6 brothers and 3 sisters, was born October 14, 1957 to Raful and Shirley Neal. His Dad, a harmonica player ran with and played with Buddy Guy and Slim Harpo. Slim gave Kenny his first harmonica at age 3 and at age 13 Kenny started playing in his Dad’s band. At age 17 Kenny was recruited by no other than Buddy Guy to play bass in his band. He is more than cognizant of Louisiana’s strong history of Blues but he is imaginative enough to take those traditions, combine them with a contemporary sound and steer the genre into the future.

Kenny’s latest release, Straight from The Heart came out in May of 2022 on the Ruf Label and includes collaborations with Grammy Winner, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Tito Jackson and Rockin’ Dopsie. Neal used this record to rewind his music to the his earliest days and pay homage to the songs and music he heard played on his family’s phonograph. When listening to it, you can tell how much fun Kenny and his band are having and how each song makes you feel like you are right there with them in Baton Rouge. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Since the Pandemic hit in 2020, Kenny came off the road and chose to spend most of his time on his ranch with family and friends in Baton Rouge. That was then, This is NOW. Kenny Neal and his Big 7 Piece Band are Better than Ever and ready to hit the road again in 2023. They were the band EVERYONE was left talking about after their performance at the 2022 Blues Music Awards in Memphis. Kenny Neal is The Blues. He has lived it and he is the torch bearer of it.

Sug is known as one the most dynamic performers on the scene today and a fan favorite at music festivals worldwide! His last Album on Forty Below Records, Somebody Save Me, was Grammy Nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album and most critics and fans agree that his latest record, In Too Deep, also on Forty Below is arguably a stronger record than the last… and that’s saying something! While Sug’s records are Great, it is his LIVE show that he is known for World Wide and propelled him to where he is now. Simply put, Sug LIVE is a PARTY. Sugaray and his 7 piece band with horns are hungry to get out there! Look for him in 2023 coming to a city near you. Give us a call if we can help you get Sug booked for your next Big Event!

Check out Sugaray’s video, “Invisible Solider”

http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-0xBkT4\Hkk