ELEVEN ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE 24 LIVING BLUES AWARD NOMINATIONS

Shemekia Copeland, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Rick Estrin Receive Four Nominations Each

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram Receives Three Nominations

Toronzo Cannon And Southern Avenue Receive Two Nominations

Tinsley Ellis, Marcia Ball, Chris O'Leary, Billy Branch And Oscar Wilson (Of The Cash Box Kings) Each Receive One Nomination

Living Blues magazine, in its just-released issue #296, announced the nominees for the 2025 Living Blues Awards. This year, eleven Alligator artists received a total of 24 nominations. Three artists each received four nominations: GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Shemekia Copeland, harpist/vocalist/songwriter Rick Estrin (of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats) and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Ronnie Baker Brooks. All three were honored with nominations for Blues Artist Of The Year, Best Live Performer and Blues Album Of The Year.

GRAMMY-winning guitarist Christone "Kingfish" Ingram received three nominations, including Blues Artist Of The Year. Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon and Memphis' soul roots family band Southern Avenue received two nominations each.

Texas pianist/vocalist Marcia Ball, harmonica master Billy Branch, vocalist and songwriter Chris O'Leary, Atlanta guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Tinsley Ellis and deep blues vocalist Oscar Wilson (of The Cash Box Kings) each received one nomination.

Living Blues fans may vote with the Readers' Ballot, available at www.livingblues.com, by June 15, 2025. Alligator artists and their nominations follow: 

Shemekia Copeland
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)
Best Blues Album of 2024 (Blame It On Eve)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Blues Singer 

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (The Hits Keep Coming)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) 

Ronnie Baker Brooks
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (Blues In My DNA)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) 

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Blues Artist Of The Year (Male)
Best Live Performer
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) 




Toronzo Cannon
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (Shut Up & Play!)
Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) 

Southern Avenue
Band Of The Year
Best Live Performer 





Tinsley Ellis
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (Naked Truth) 






Chris O'Leary
Best Blues Album Of 2024 (The Hard Line)  

The Cash Box Kings
Oscar Wilson - Most Outstanding Blues Singer

Marcia Ball
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards) 

Billy Branch
Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica)