The Blues Foundation’s 35th annual Blues Music Awards happen in Memphis this Thursday, May 8. A number of national artists who appear regularly at local venues are up for awards. Lincoln’s own Shawn Holt and Levi William are nominated in the Best New Artist Debut category for Shawn Holt & The Teardrops’ debut release Daddy Told Me (Blind Pig). Shawn Holt is the son of the late Magic Slim, a longtime Lincoln resident. Holt and William recorded and are on tour with Slim’s old rhythm section Brian “BJ” Jones and Christopher Beidron. Watch blues.org for announcements of all the winners. Award winners are usually available in fairly real time at americanbluesscene.com. (WRITER’S NOTE: Shawn Holt & The Teardrops received the BMA for Best New Artist Debut and a correction, The Teardrops’ drummer is Brian “BJ” Jones. I had the drummer’s name listed incorrectly in the May 8 print issue).
Nighthawks
Legendary Washington, D.C. band The Nighthawks is at The 21st Saloon Thursday, May 8, 6-9 p.m. The band still features original co-founder Mark Wenner on vocals and harmonica. They have been going strong for over 40 years with their celebration of American roots, blues and gospel music. See thenighthawks.com.
Karp & Foley at The 21st
Next week, Thursday, May 15, the wonderful Sue Foley, Peter Karp and their band are back. Foley has been playing the blues nearly her whole life. Born in Canada, she moved to Austin where she recorded a number of albums for Clifford Antone’s Antone’s Records before eventually moving back to Canada. Peter Karp has also had a long, notable solo career. Since creating a musical partnership, the two have released two CDs on Blind Pig Records. Their combined talents make dynamic, fresh, exciting American roots music. Hear tracks from their collaboration at reverbnation.com/karpfoley. This is The 21st’s first indoor-outdoor show of the spring with music on two stages. Also appearing are Israeli artists the Ori Naftaly Band and Kansas City’s Katy Guillen & the Girls.
Hot Notes
The Ori Naftaly Band also gigs at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, May 14, 6-9 p.m.
Check krislagerband.com to see if any tickets remain for the Lager band’s weekend HullabaCruises on the River City Star plus Friday and Saturday after-parties at The Hive.
Saturday, May 10, 9 p.m., catch Brad Hoshaw, Matt Cox, Geoff Koch, Justin Lamoureux and John Larsen at Barley Street Tavern.
40SINNERS brings its gutbucket blues to McKenna’s Friday, May 9, 8-11 p.m.
Honeyboy Turner Band gigs at Havana Garage Saturday, May 10, 9 p.m.
Coming up Saturday, May 17, is the annual Jammin’ Away the Blues event with Delta Groove recording artists Mitch Kashmar, Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes and Deak Harp plus hosts Honeyboy Turner Band at Lincoln’s Duggan’s Pub. See mha-ne.org/jamminawaytheblues.