(Memphis TN) – The Blues Foundation has announced the winners at the 45th Annual Blues Music Awards that took place May 9 in Memphis.
Guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram was the night’s biggest winner, taking home four awards, including “Album of the Year” for Live In London. Mike Zito, Bobby Rush, Ruthie Foster and John Primer also garnered multiple awards. Congratulations to all this year’s winners!
Doug MacLeod performs during the 45th annual Blues Music —photo by Roger Stephenson.
2025 Blues Music Awards Winners
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman)
Album of the Year
Blame It On Eve, Shemekia Copeland
Band of the Year
Rick Estrin and The Nightcats
Song of the Year
“Blues In My DNA,” Written by Ronnie Baker Brooks
Best Emerging Artist Album
Revelation, Piper & The Hard Times
Acoustic Blues Album
One Guitar Woman, Sue Foley
Blues Rock Album
Life is Hard, Mike Zito
Contemporary Blues Album
Blues In My DNA, Ronnie Baker Brooks
Soul Blues Album
Fine By Me, Curtis Salgado
Traditional Blues Album
Crawlin’ ‘Kingsnake, John Primer & Bob Corritore
Acoustic Blues Artist
Keb’ Mo’
Blues Rock Artist
Tommy Castro
Contemporary Blues Female Artist
Ruthie Foster
Contemporary Blues Male Artist
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Soul Blues Female Artist
Thornetta Davis
Soul Blues Male Artist
Curtis Salgado
Traditional Blues Female Artist(Koko Taylor Award)
Sue Foley
Traditional Blues Male Artist
John Primer
Instrumentalist – Bass
Bob Stroger
Instrumentalist – Drums
Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
Instrumentalist – Guitar
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Instrumentalist – Harmonica
Billy Branch
Instrumentalist – Horn
Vanessa Collier
Instrumentalist – Piano(Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award)
Eden Brent
Instrumentalist – Vocals
Ruthie Foster
BMA winner Ruthie Foster receives her award for Instrumentalist- Vocals during the 45th Blues Music Awards—photo by Roger Stephenson.
