ALLIGATOR RECORDS ARTISTS WIN LIVING BLUES AWARDS

Shemekia Copeland, D.K. Harrell, Southern Avenue, Marcia Ball And Kenny "Beedy Eyes"Smith (Of The Cash Box Kings) All Receive Top Awards

Living Blues magazine, in its just-released issue #303, announced the winners of the 2026 Living Blues Awards. Five Alligator Records artists received a total of six awards. 

GRAMMY-nominated artist Shemekia Copeland won both the Critics' and Readers' Polls for Blues Artist Of The Year (Female).

D.K. Harrell won the coveted Album Of The Year Award, topping the Critics' Poll with his Alligator Records debut release, Talkin' Heavy.

Southern Avenue was named Blues Band Of The Year, leading the Critics' Poll.

Marcia Ball won the Readers' Poll Award for Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard), and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith (of The Cash Box Kings) won the Critics' Award for Most Outstanding Musician (Drums).

 

 

Shemekia Copeland
Critics' Poll and Readers' Poll Winner:
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female) 
 

 

Southern Avenue
Critics' Poll Winner:
Blues Band Of The Year

D.K. Harrell
Critics' Poll Winner:
Album Of The Year/Best New Recording: Talkin' Heavy

 

Marcia Ball
Readers' Poll Winner:
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboards)


 


The Cash Box Kings
Critics' Poll Winner:
Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith
Most Outstanding Musician (Drums)