The 42nd BMAs will be presented as a virtual event on Sunday, June 6, 2021 starting at 4 p.m. CT. The world is invited to watch the celebration, which will be streamed on our Blues Foundation Facebook and YouTube channel.

AND THE NOMINEES ARE…

B.B. King Entertainer of the Year
Shemekia Copeland
Rick Estrin
John Németh
Sugaray Rayford
Lil’ Ed Williams

Album of the Year
100 Years of Blues, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite
Rawer Than Raw, Bobby Rush
Rise Up, Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters
Too Far From the Bar, Sugar Ray & The Bluetones featuring Little Charlie
Uncivil War, Shemekia Copeland

Band of the Year
Anthony Geraci & The Boston Blues Allstars
John Németh & The Blue Dreamers
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Southern Avenue
Sugar Ray & The Bluetones

Song of the Year
“All My Dues Are Paid”, written by Kathy Murray, Rick Estrin, Frank Bey, Kid Andersen
(performed by Frank Bey)
“All Out of Tears”, written by Walter Trout, Marie Trout, and Teeny Tucker
(performed by Walter Trout)
“Blues Comin’ On”, written by Dion DiMucci and Mike Aquilina
(performed by Dion Feat. Joe Bonamassa)
“Is It Over”, written by Don Bryant and Scott Bomar
(performed by Don Bryant)
“Uncivil War”, written by John Hahn and Will Kimbrough
(performed by Shemekia Copeland)

Best Emerging Artist Album
Hard Workin’ Man, Andrew Alli
Harlem, King Solomon Hicks
Here I Come, Jose Ramirez
High Risk Low Reward, Ryan Perry
Peace In Pieces, Betty Fox Band

Acoustic Blues Album
Dustin Arbuckle & Matt Woods,
Willie J. Campbell 
Larry Fulcher 
Danielle Nicole 
Patrick Rynn 
Michael “Mudcat” Ward 

Blues Rock Album
Ain’t Done Yet, Savoy Brown
Ice Cream In Hell, Tinsley Ellis
Mike Zito and Friends – Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry, Mike Zito
Mississippi Suitcase, Peter Parcek
Ordinary Madness, Walter Trout

Contemporary Blues Album
Cry Out, Kat Riggins
My Blues Pathway, Kirk Fletcher
Self-Made Man, Larkin Poe
Stronger Than Strong, John Németh
Uncivil War, Shemekia Copeland

Soul Blues Album
All My Dues Are Paid, Frank Bey
Found! One Soul Singer, Sonny Green
That’s What I Heard, Robert Cray Band
Where Have All The Soul Men Gone, Johnny Rawls
You Make Me Feel, Don Bryant

Traditional Blues Album
100 Years of Blues, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite
Blueswoman, Nora Jean Wallace
Every Day of Your Life, Jimmy Johnson
Rise Up, Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters
Too Far From the Bar, Sugar Ray & The Bluetones featuring Little Charlie