Magness earns three Blues Blast awards

Janiva Magness

Michigan native Janiva Magness received three 2012 Blues Blast Awards (presented by Blues Blast magazine).

Magness, who attended Mount Clemens High School while living with her grandparents, won awards for Female Blues Artist Of The Year, Contemporary Blues CD Of The Year for her new release “Stronger For It” (Alligator Records), and Song Of The Year for her original composition “I Won’t Cry” (co-written with Dave Darling).

"I never expected to win, especially up against this pool of talent,” Magness said in a release from Alligator Records. “All the same, I am humbled and very grateful."

Muddy Waters’ son, Larry “Mud” Morganfield, was a two-time winner, garnering the Sean Costello Rising Star Award and the award for Traditional Blues CD for his release “Son of the Seventh Son” (Severn Records).

Other winners include: Tab Benoit (Male Blues Artist), Trampled Under Foot (Blues Band of the Year), and the Sena Ehrhardt Band “Leave the Light On” (New Artists Debut Release).

Click here to see a previous post on Magness’ work as an advocate for foster children at risk.

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