Magic Slim wins posthumous Blues Music Award!

MAGIC SLIM WINS BLUES MUSIC AWARD  "TRADITIONAL BLUES MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR" Magic Slim was posthumously awarded the 2013 Blues Music Award as the Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year.  The honor was announced at the Blues Foundation's annual awards show in Memphis on May 9th. Slim, a revered and towering figure in the field of traditional Chicago blues who was known for his slash and burn guitar technique and booming vocals, passed away on February 21, 2013 at the age of 75. Born Morris Holt in Torrance, Mississippi in 1937, Slim enjoyed national and international acclaim as one of the foremost practitioners of the raw, gut-bucket, back alley blues associated with the postwar Chicago blues sound that spawned much of the music played by modern blues artists and rockers.  He and his band, the Teardrops, were one of the most sought-after headliners for festivals in Europe, Japan, and South America.  Living Blues magazine called them "a national treasure." This year's Blues Music Award marked the seventh time that Slim was named the winner of the coveted award. In fact, in his illustrious career Slim was nominated for a BMA more times in more categories than anybody except Buddy Guy. In 2011 the state of Mississippi erected a Blues Trail Marker in Slim's honor in the town of Grenada, where his mother operated a restaurant.    During a twenty year span Slim released nine albums and a live DVD on Blind Pig Records. His last release, 2012's Bad Boy, proved that Slim could still deliver the goods. As No Depression said, "Magic Slim doesn't just play the blues, he body slams his audiences with a vicious guitar attack that pins them to the floor."  AllMusicGuide added, "Magic Slim turned 75 in 2012, but his growling vocals have the fire and brimstone of a Young Lion and his guitar playing is still as razor-sharp as it was when he turned pro in the '50s." Label owner Jerry Del Giudice said, "Magic Slim epitomized the heart and soul of Blind Pig Records.  He was our flag bearer. Our Captain at the helm.  He was our source code and he is irreplaceable but his music will last until the end of time." To watch a video of Slim and the Teardrops performing "Goin' To Mississippi" in 2002 please click HERE.