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2022 Award Recipient

Joe Louis Walker

Joe Louis Walker, a versatile blues icon, blends gospel, jazz, and rock. A prolific artist and mentor, his legacy and influence span generations, keeping the blues vibrant and evolving.

2014 Award Recipient

Eddie Shaw

Eddie Shaw, a legendary saxophonist, shaped blues with his work alongside Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. His legacy endures through his music and mentorship in the blues community.

2013 Award Recipient

John Primer

John Primer, a stalwart of Chicago blues, rose from Mississippi roots to fame with Muddy Waters and Magic Slim. His authentic style and mentoring keep the blues vibrant for future generations.

2012 Award Recipient

Bobby Rush

Bobby Rush, a blues legend, rose from humble beginnings in Louisiana to Grammy-winning fame, blending traditional blues with funk and soul, inspiring generations with his dynamic performances and resilience.

2012 Award Recipient

Lonnie Brooks

Lonnie Brooks, born in Louisiana, became a blues icon with his unique blend of Delta, Texas, and Chicago blues. His influential career, marked by dynamic performances and mentoring, left a lasting legacy.

2011 Award Recipient

Otis Clay

Otis Clay, a gospel-rooted soul and blues icon, bridged musical genres with his powerful voice, leaving a lasting legacy of emotional depth and community dedication.

2010 Award Recipient

Hubert Sumlin

Hubert Sumlin, a blues guitar legend, known for his emotive, innovative style with Howlin' Wolf, influenced generations of musicians, leaving an enduring legacy in blues and rock.

2009 Award Recipient

Sugar Pie DeSanto

Sugar Pie DeSanto, a dynamic blues artist, blended cultural influences into her music, leaving a lasting legacy of passionate performances and powerful vocal delivery.

2009 Award Recipient

Magic Slim

Magic Slim, born Morris Holt, was a blues titan from Mississippi. His powerful guitar and gritty vocals defined Chicago blues, leaving an enduring legacy in the genre.

2008 Award Recipient

Denise LaSalle

Denise LaSalle, born in Mississippi, rose to fame with hits like "Trapped by a Thing Called Love." A trailblazing blues singer, songwriter, and producer, her legacy inspires future generations.

2008 Award Recipient

Billy Boy Arnold

Billy Boy Arnold, a Chicago blues legend, revolutionized harmonica playing and influenced generations with hits like "I Wish You Would," leaving an indelible mark on blues and rock music.

2007 Award Recipient

Nappy Brown

Nappy Brown, born in 1929, blended gospel, blues, and R&B with his powerful voice. His hits like "Don't Be Angry" and dynamic performances left a lasting legacy in music.

2007 Award Recipient

Jimmie Jones

Jimmie Jones, a jazz and blues historian, photographer, and advocate, dedicated his life to preserving and promoting these genres, leaving a lasting legacy of passion and education.

2007 Award Recipient

Alberta Adams

Alberta Adams, the Queen of Detroit Blues, rose from humble beginnings to become a trailblazing vocalist, blending blues, jazz, and gospel, leaving an enduring legacy in American music.

2006 Award Recipient

James Cotton

James Cotton, "Superharp," revolutionized blues harmonica, mentored by Sonny Boy Williamson II and played with Muddy Waters. His energetic performances and albums left a lasting legacy on the blues genre.

2005 Award Recipient

Sterling D. Plumpp

Sterling Plumpp, a blues poet, bridged music and literature, capturing African American experiences in his works. His legacy inspires future generations in both genres.

2005 Award Recipient

R. L. Burnside

R.L. Burnside, a Mississippi blues legend, fused traditional Delta blues with modern sounds. His gritty style and resilience left an enduring impact on the blues genre and future generations.

2004 Award Recipient

Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, a genre-blending blues virtuoso, left an indelible mark on music with his eclectic style, Grammy-winning albums, and unforgettable performances. His legacy endures.

2004 Award Recipient

Bob Koester

Bob Koester, founder of Delmark Records, preserved and promoted blues and jazz, impacting the genre significantly with his recordings and dedication. His legacy endures through his work and influence.

2003 Award Recipient

John Mayall

John Mayall, the "Godfather of British Blues," shaped the genre with his Bluesbreakers, nurturing legends like Eric Clapton. His enduring legacy continues to inspire musicians worldwide.

2003 Award Recipient

Henry Townsend

Henry Townsend, a blues legend, bridged Delta and urban styles. Spanning 80 years, his career included iconic recordings, influential mentorship, and unwavering dedication to the blues.

2003 Award Recipient

Fred Anderson

Fred Anderson, a saxophone virtuoso, bridged jazz and blues. From Louisiana to Chicago, his innovation and mentorship left a lasting impact on the music scene and future generations.

2002 Award Recipient

“Little Milton” Campbell

Little Milton, born James Milton Campbell, was a soulful bluesman from Mississippi. Known for blending blues and soul, his hits like "We're Gonna Make It" left a lasting legacy on the genre.

2001 Award Recipient

Odetta

Odetta Holmes, the "Voice of the Civil Rights Movement," bridged folk and blues, inspiring artists like Bob Dylan. Her powerful performances championed social justice and equality.

2001 Award Recipient

Koko Taylor

Koko Taylor, the "Queen of the Blues," rose from humble beginnings in Tennessee to blues stardom with hits like "Wang Dang Doodle," breaking barriers and influencing future generations.

2001 Award Recipient

John Dee Holeman

John Dee Holeman was a Piedmont blues artist known for his fingerpicking guitar style, blending traditional and modern blues. His legacy includes preserving the Piedmont blues and influencing future generations.

2000 Award Recipient

Henry Gray

Henry Gray, born in Louisiana in 1925, was a pioneering blues pianist who shaped Chicago blues. His legacy lives on through iconic recordings and influence on future musicians.

2000 Award Recipient

Gene “Daddy G” Barge

Gene "Daddy G" Barge, saxophonist and producer, shaped blues and R&B with Chess Records, iconic tracks, and innovative arrangements, leaving a lasting legacy in music.

2000 Award Recipient

Boozoo Chavis

Boozoo Chavis, zydeco pioneer, blended Creole, blues, and Cajun sounds. Known for hits like "Paper in My Shoe," he shaped zydeco and influenced future generations.

2000 Award Recipient

Bobby “Blue” Bland

Bobby "Blue" Bland, born in Tennessee, became a blues legend with hits like "Two Steps from the Blues." His blend of blues and soul influenced countless artists, leaving a lasting legacy.

1999 Award Recipient

Pinetop Perkins

Pinetop Perkins, born in 1913, was a legendary blues pianist whose career spanned eight decades. His boogie-woogie style and influence on the blues genre remain unmatched.

1999 Award Recipient

Howard Armstrong

Howard Armstrong, a versatile blues musician, blended diverse musical traditions, influenced American roots music, and left a lasting legacy through his recordings and charismatic performances.

1999 Award Recipient

Francis Clay

Francis Clay, influential blues drummer, shaped the Chicago blues sound with Muddy Waters. His blend of jazz and blues rhythms left a lasting impact on the genre and future generations.

1998 Award Recipient

John Jackson

John Jackson, a master of Piedmont blues, rose from humble beginnings to preserve traditional blues, inspiring future generations with his authentic style and soulful performances.

1998 Award Recipient

Jay McShann

Jay McShann, a pioneering pianist and bandleader, blended blues and jazz, shaping Kansas City jazz and mentoring talents like Charlie Parker, leaving a lasting musical legacy.

1997 Award Recipient

Snooky Pryor

Snooky Pryor, a pioneering blues harmonica player, revolutionized the genre with his amplified sound. His influential career and innovative style left a lasting legacy on the blues.

1997 Award Recipient

Franz Jackson

Franz Jackson, a jazz and blues legend, bridged New Orleans jazz and Chicago blues, leaving a lasting legacy through his recordings, performances, and mentorship of young musicians.

1996 Award Recipient

Robert Lockwood Jr.

Robert Lockwood Jr., a pioneering blues guitarist mentored by Robert Johnson, fused delta and Chicago blues, leaving a lasting legacy through his recordings and mentorship.

1995 Award Recipient

David “Honeyboy” Edwards

David "Honeyboy" Edwards, a Delta blues legend, preserved traditional blues while inspiring future generations with his emotive guitar work and rich storytelling. His legacy endures.

2002 Award Recipient

“Little Milton” Campbell

The Soulful Bluesman

James Milton Campbell Jr., known to the world as Little Milton, was born on September 7, 1934, in Inverness, Mississippi. Growing up in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, he was surrounded by the rich musical traditions that defined the region. His father, Big Milton, was a local musician, and his mother, Daisy Campbell, was a church singer. This familial environment immersed Little Milton in music from a young age, fostering his early love for the blues.

Introduction to Music and Early Influences

Little Milton’s journey into music began with the guitar, an instrument he started playing in his early teens. Influenced by blues legends such as T-Bone Walker, Sonny Boy Williamson, and B.B. King, he quickly developed a distinctive style characterized by a smooth vocal delivery and masterful guitar work. By the age of 18, he had already made a name for himself in the local music scene, performing at juke joints and house parties.

Key Moments and Milestones in His Career

Little Milton’s big break came in 1952 when he was discovered by Ike Turner, who was scouting talent for Sam Phillips’ Sun Records. His first recordings for Sun, including “Beggin’ My Baby” and “Somebody Told Me,” showcased his burgeoning talent and set the stage for a prolific career.

In 1958, Milton joined the legendary St. Louis-based Bobbin Records, where he achieved his first major hit, “I’m a Lonely Man.” This success led to a contract with Chess Records in 1961, where he recorded a string of hits, including “So Mean to Me,” “Blind Man,” and “We’re Gonna Make It.” The latter, released in 1965, became his biggest hit, reaching No. 1 on the R&B charts and solidifying his status as a major force in the blues world.

Significant Albums, Songs, and Performances

Throughout his career, Little Milton released numerous albums that have become staples of the blues genre. Notable among these are “If Walls Could Talk” (1970), “Grits Ain’t Groceries” (1969), and “Waiting for Little Milton” (1984). His live performances were legendary, characterized by his powerful stage presence and emotional intensity. One of his most memorable performances was at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1981, where he shared the stage with fellow blues greats B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland.

Milton’s versatility as an artist was evident in his ability to blend blues with soul, R&B, and gospel, creating a unique sound that resonated with a wide audience. His 1983 hit, “The Blues Is Alright,” became an anthem for blues lovers and remains one of his most enduring songs.

Impact on the Blues Genre and Music Industry

Little Milton’s influence on the blues genre is profound. He was a bridge between the traditional Delta blues and the more modern, urban blues sounds. His ability to infuse his music with emotion and storytelling made his songs relatable and timeless. He was not only a performer but also a mentor to younger musicians, helping to keep the blues tradition alive and vibrant.

His contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination and multiple Blues Music Awards. In 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring impact on the genre.

Personal Anecdotes or Notable Stories

One of the most endearing stories about Little Milton involves his generosity and dedication to his community. Despite his success, he never forgot his roots and often returned to Mississippi to perform benefit concerts for local causes. His humility and kindness endeared him to fans and fellow musicians alike.

Another notable story from his career is his collaboration with the iconic blues label, Malaco Records. In the 1980s, when many thought his career was waning, Milton signed with Malaco and experienced a resurgence, producing some of his most acclaimed work, including the album “Age Ain’t Nothin’ But a Number” (1983).

Legacy and Influence on Future Generations

Little Milton’s legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and passion for the blues. He paved the way for future generations of blues musicians, inspiring artists like Robert Cray, Keb’ Mo’, and many others who have cited him as a significant influence.

His music continues to be celebrated and performed worldwide, ensuring that his contributions to the blues will never be forgotten. Little Milton passed away on August 4, 2005, but his spirit lives on through his timeless recordings and the countless musicians he inspired.

In summary, Little Milton Campbell was more than just a blues artist; he was a cultural icon whose music transcended genres and touched the hearts of many. His story is one of perseverance, talent, and a deep love for the blues, leaving an indelible mark on the music world.

A Poem for Little Milton

Every time you open
your mouth is a Juneteenth
celebration. Somebody in pain
finds your blues is an act
of emancipation.

Bluesman, your lyrics of low
down home heartbeats
What broken hearts
stand in welfare lines for.
The blues that heals.
Your music that cleanses.

Bluesman, your songs lean toward
those who work. Who know life
from the ground up, the hardships
made of paper. Those who
been down and out. Who know
the specialties of Fannie Mae’s Café
or Gladys’ or Edna’s. Those

who done stood on backstreets
crying out the blues / On the south
side or westside or in Mississippi
or Tennessee or Alabama or Detroit.
You, the poet who cures common heart
aches. Your rhythms got folks

Saying: we gonna make it.

Long after you leave the stage
the world relaxes. Reflects
on epiphanies you reveal
in your art. And the sky cries:
the blues is alright.

Yeah! The blues is alright.

— Sterling D. Plumpp

Background

BornSeptember 7, 1934
Inverness, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedAugust 4, 2005 (aged 70)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresElectric blues, R&B, soul, funk
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
LabelsSun, Meteor, Bobbin, Checker, Stax, Glades, Golden Ear, MCA, Malaco