BOARD OF DIRECTORS | TEACHING ARTISTS | AWARDS
Debbie Bond, Executive Director
Debbie Bond is co-founder and Executive Director of the Alabama Blues Project. Since coming to Alabama in 1981, Bond has worked closely with many well known blues artists, including the late great Johnny Shines. He was her mentor with whom she shared her band in the '80s and who inspired the foundation of the Alabama Blues Project in 1995.
Debbie made her performing debut in West Africa, where she lived as a child with her anthropologist mother. She formed her first band in Brighton, England, where she attended college and lived until moving to Alabama in 1979.
As well as being a regular on the Southeastern festival scene, Bond has performed extensively with many Alabama blues musicians including Little Jimmy Reed, James Peterson, Sweet Claudette, and more . She has worked particularly closely with the great Johnny Shines, Alabama blues men Little Whitt and Big Bo
(with whom she went on
a two-month tour of Europe), and legendary blues man Willie King. Thanks to a grant from Alabama State Council on the Arts, she has also studied with Alabama blues giant Eddie Kirkland.
In addition to being a musician, Bond is an award-winning videographer who worked for Tuscaloosa-based Alabama Public Television. During the 1980s she worked there on several independent projects which are now archived at the Smithsonian Institute.
Bond is featured on many recording, including the Vent Records CD The Alabama Blues Showcase: A Compilation of Alabama Blues Artists, Blues From the Heart of Dixie, A Compilation of Alabama Blues Musicians produced by Germany's Taxim Records, and her own solo CD entitled What Goes Around Comes Around. She is also the guitarist and background vocalist on Willie King's two most recent CDs.
In pursuit of her deep interest in archiving, studying, and promoting Alabama blues, she attended The University of Alabama as a post-graduate and in 2003 received an MA in American Studies focusing on the blues. Her MA thesis was a study and oral history about the renowned Alabama Blues harmonica player Big Bo McGee. To bring Alabama blues artists to a wider audience, she collaborated with archivist Kathy Bailey, writer Rick Asherson, and artist Jennifer Adams to create the ABP’s first traveling exhibition on Alabama blues women. Watch out for the next exciting exhibition coming soon!
As founder and creator of the Alabama Blues Project's after-school programs and blues residencies, Debbie has designed and developed a series of educational curricula for teaching the blues in a variety of formats, from one-off introductions to extended six-week residencies. These curricula incorporate current state and national educational standards in an attempt to encourage the teaching of blues history, culture, and music in schools.
Along with being the director and inspiration for the Alabama Blues Project, since 2003 she has worked as guitar player and back-up singer for Willie King and the Liberators,
with whom she has played
tours in Italy, France, and Switzerland, along with many national festivals.
Partial listing of accomplishments:
BA, Cum Laude, in Sociology from the School of Culture and Community Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, England 1976
MA, in American Studies, focusing on the blues, from the The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Freedom Quilting Bee: Produced, videotaped, and edited documentary on a women's quilting cooperative in rural Alabama which received Honorable Mention from the National Commission on Working Women, for the production of an outstanding television public affairs documentary for Alabama Public TV.
A Woman's Place: Produced, videotaped and edited this documentary on women in non-traditional jobs in Alabama. Received Honorable Mention award by the National Commission on Working Women for the production of an outstanding television public affairs documentary for Alabama Public TV.
The Sandman: Assisted in the production, videographer for documentary on folk artist Lonnie Holley for Alabama Public TV.
Blues On The Move: Assisted in production, videotaped this documentary on three Alabama Blues musicians: Jerry McCain, Johnny Shines, and Laura Washington for Alabama Public Television TV.
Other Media Appearances: BBC Radio performance, Scotland; Alabama Public Radio, All Things Acoustic performance, National Public Radio; Saturday Night Blues, Alabama Public Radio, WUAL; WACKY Radio performance, Luxembourg-ville, Luxembourg; Oxford Blues BBC Radio, England; On & On, A documentary profiling the life of Johnny Shines for Public TV; National Public Radio's American Routes; XM Radio Bill Wax's Bluesville; Willie King - Down in the Woods, DVD. |
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Rick Asherson, Assistant Director
 Asherson first heard the blues in his native city of London, England, and began to play the harmonica, guitar and piano in the '60s in England. He has played harmonica and keyboards in a number of bands in Europe and the U.S. for the past twenty years. Since moving to Alabama in 2001, he has played keyboards and harmonica for several Alabama blues greats, including Little Jimmy Reed, B. J. Miller, Caroline Shines, Eddie Kirkland, Willie King and more.
Rick has had a varied career, including being a computer programmer, osteopath, and non-profit administrator. His extensive grant writing skills have played an integral part in the growth of the ABP. Rick is a regular blues instructor with the Alabama Blues Project's award-winning after-school programs and artist residencies. He has worked closely in the creation and development of the Alabama Blues Project's educational programs, curriculum and traveling exhibitions.
Along with grant writing and technical support for the Alabama Blues Project, Rick has a close association with blues legend Willie King, playing keyboards and harmonica in his band, The Liberators, as well as performing on, creating the artwork for, and co-producing King's last two CDs.
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Cara Smith, Program Director
 Cara Lynn Smith is an Alabama native with over seven years experience as a director in the field of media relations. She is a huge fan of sports and the blues!
Her career began as a sports information director (SID) for intercollegiate athletics, and at the age of 21 she was the youngest female to become a head SID. Her event management skills helped Millsaps College net the largest NCAA Division III single-game football attendance record of over 33,000 fans against Mississippi College in Jackson, Mississippi, in the first annual "Backyard Brawl." During her spare time in Mississippi, she enjoyed lots of great blues in the clubs, festivals and local juke joints.
During her tenure as SID at The University of West Florida (UWF), Smith redesigned all intercollegiate athletics publications and the official web site while managing publicity for 14 sports teams and several Gulf South Conference and NCAA tournaments. While at UWF, Smith juggled her career with graduate level coursework in the Department of Communications Administration and the university's MBA program. Smith has also been an assistant fast pitch softball coach at Millsaps College.
Before moving to Tuscaloosa, Smith was layout editor for the Oxford EAGLE in Mississippi. She holds a B. A. in Radio and Television with a Public Relations emphasis from the University of Mississippi, 1999. She is married to Daniel Smith and has a daughter, Cassidy Sunshine. |
OFFICE STAFF | TEACHING ARTISTS | AWARDS
Aaron Vold, President
 Director of Development
College of Arts & Sciences
University of Alabama
Box 870268
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0268
Aaron Vold is the Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Alabama. In that role, he is responsible for all the College’s major gifts operation. Aaron’s prior work experience includes fundraising, public relations and marketing. While director of public relations at Big Communications, Inc. in Birmingham, he was responsible for publicity for the 40th anniversary of the city’s Civil Rights Movement and Foot Soldier’s Reunion. His efforts gained national recognition from media outlets such as the New York Times, L. A. Times, and “60 Minutes.” He holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s degree in business administration from The University of Alabama.
Rosa Johnson, Vice President
 Field Director
Girl Scouts - Tombigbee Council
4201 Rice Mine Road, N.E.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406-1529
Ms. Johnson is a lifelong resident of Tuscaloosa and an active member of the community. Currently, Rosa is employed as a Field Director with the Girl Scouts - Tombigbee Council and has worked for the Council for seven years. Rosa currently volunteers for the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce as a Chamber Ambassador. Ms. Johnson has been an active supporter of the Alabama Blues Project for several years, and in her spare time enjoys listening to music, cooking, or spending time with family and friends.
BeBe Barefoot, Secretary
 Assistant Director
Honors Academy
University of Alabama
Box 870169
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0268
Bebe Barefoot is currently Assistant Director of Honors Academy and Director of Capstone Summer Honors at The University of Alabama. In addition, she is on the faculty in the Honors College and teaches Fine Arts courses and special topics seminars. She holds a Ph.D. in English and for the past twelve years has taught writing and literature courses. Prior to entering academia full-time, she had a fourteen-year career in corporate communications, working as Director of Communications for Sylvan Learning Corporation, as a Research and Communications specialist for the Alabama Development Office, and as Director of Communications for Guilford Capital Corporation.
Matthias Tormaehlen, Treasurer
 Manager Product Controller
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc.
P.O. Box 100
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
Matthias Tormaehlen has worked with Daimler Chrysler since 1988. He is Manager in the area of Finance and Controlling. From 1995 until 2002, he was an integral part of the establishment of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. during the first years of the M-Class vehicle production in Tuscaloosa. At that time he served on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Blues Project, was a Board member of the Alabama Germany Partnership and worked on a fund distribution committee with the United Way of West Alabama. He returned to the German headquarters of Daimler Chrysler in 2002, and then came back to Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. in July 2006. Since his childhood, he has played music in several orchestras and bands, with a special interest in and focus on guitar and blues music.
Click Here for his band Hessi James - Web Site
Judge John H. England, Jr.
 PO Box 3184
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
Following his years of private law practice, the Honorable Judge John H. England, Jr. has served as Associate Justice in the Alabama Supreme Court and a Circuit Judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. Judge England attended public schools in Birmingham and earned a BS degree in Chemistry from Tuskegee University in 1969. After serving his country for two years as a Military Policeman, Judge England graduated from The University of Alabama Law School in 1974 and received an Honorary Doctor of Law from Tuskegee in 1999. He was elected to the Tuscaloosa City Council in 1985, where he was Chairman of the Finance and Community Development Committee. Judge England is a member of the Bailey Tabernacle Church where he serves as Trustee, Sunday school teacher and a member of the male chorus.
Dr. James Hall
 Director of New College
PO Box 870229
107 Carmichael Hall
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
African American culture scholar Dr. James Hall joined The University of Alabama from the University of Illinois at Chicago where he served as associate professor of African American Studies and English. Hall is a self-described blues fan and a devotee of Willie King. His book Mercy, Mercy, Me: African-American Culture and the American Sixties, published by Oxford University Press, is considered a major contribution to the understanding of 1960s American Culture.
Dr. Steven Hobbs
 Tom Bevill Chairholder of Law
School of Law
University of Alabama
P.O. Box 870382
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Professor Hobbs graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received the juris doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1979. He was a member of the Washington and Lee law faculty for 16 years before accepting the position of Tom Bevill Chairholder of Law at Alabama in 1997. Upon graduation from law school, he practiced in the Department of the Public Advocate in Trenton, New Jersey. Both his professional and scholarly interests demonstrate his commitment to the fair distribution of social and legal benefits to individuals. The classes he has taught, the topics of scholarship on which he has written, and the issues he has addressed at professional conferences deal with elder law, family law, fair housing law, and social and economic justice. He has written numerous law review articles on these subjects and was instrumental in drafting the Virginia Human Rights Act.
Dr. Rhoda Johnson
 Associate Professor
Department of Women Studies
University of Alabama
104 Manley Hall
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0272
Dr. Rhoda E. Johnson is an associate professor of Women’s Studies and African American Studies at The University of Alabama and is a frequent consultant for rural arts and education programs throughout the South. Her research involves women and AIDS in the rural South. She was a 1996 Fulbright Scholar to China where she learned about the development of Women’s Studies in that country. Johnson is also currently co-president of the Coalition of Alabamians Reforming Education (C.A.R.E.).
Dr. Charles Nash
 Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
401 Queen City
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Charles R. Nash has served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for The University of Alabama System since 1992. As a senior academic officer in the System, he is the chief liaison to academic, institutional research and planning officials at The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He advises the Chancellor on all academic policy matters and provides primary leadership in program planning, development, and review. He also represents The University of Alabama System with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, the Alabama Department of Education, and the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.
Richard Remaley
 Owner, North-River Interiors and Alabama Mosquito Management
Richard Remaley grew up in Tuscaloosa and developed a taste for music at an early age inspired by the musicians and bands that played local venues and traveled the Armory circuit, such as the Allman Joys (Duane and Greg Allman), The Atlanta Tams, the Swinging Medallions, The Rubber Band, The Dominos and many, many more. As his interest grew, so did the venues, and Richard traveled around the south to hear groups like The Rolling Stones, The Vanilla Fudge, The WVOK Shower of Stars presenting acts like the Shangrilas, Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Turtles, The Four Tops, The O'Jays, The Righteous Brothers and scores of others. His interest in music has never waned and continues to grow. Richard refers to his association with The Alabama Blues Project as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. Richard's professional accomplishments include a 16-year tenure with Bellsouth, several years with the University of Alabama as Manager of Technical Operations in Telecommunications and 15 years as Executive Director of IT Operations and Technical Services with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He and his wife Jeanette own and operate North-River Interiors and Alabama Mosquito Management, and Richard also consults when needed on IT projects.
Dolores Royal
 Dolores Royal has been a health and fitness instructor at Shelton State Community College for almost ten years and she is also a certified Tai Chi instructor. Her interest in public education has led her to be a regular volunteer in under-served communities in Tuscaloosa City Schools. A native of Alton, Illinois, she moved to Alabama in 1981. Her love for the blues began long ago at her father's tavern in Edwardsville, Illinois, which was a regular stop for traveling blues musicians. Her passion for the blues and belief in the importance of arts education came together in 1998 when she began volunteering with the Alabama Blues Project.
Charlie Wolbach
 President
First Federal Bank
1300 McFarland Boulevard NE
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
We are very excited to have Charlie Wolbach as the latest addition to the Alabama Blues Project Board of Directors. He is not only a fan of the blues, but he is also a talented musician and plays in a blues band with fellow Board Member Richard Remaley. Charlie is a prominent citizen of Tuscaloosa and has been the President of First Federal Bank since 1992 as well as staying active in various civic organizations. In addition to his work in the community and music accolades, Charlie is a road cycling enthusiast and has been racing and touring annually for the last 20 years. He is married and has four children.
OFFICE STAFF | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | AWARDS
| J. K. Terrell, On-Site Coordinator & Harmonica |
Debbie Bond, Band Leader, Vocals & Guitar |
| Gary Edmonds, Advanced Band & Guitar |
Rick Asherson, Keyboard & Harmonica |
| Carroline Shines, Vocals & Featured Artist |
Willie King, Featured Artist |
| Ralph Lusian, Guitar & Supporting Artist |
Dwayne Pruitt, Drums |
| BJ Reed, Vocals |
Little Lee, Featured Artist |
| Willie James Williams, Supporting Artist |
Eric Buchannon, Supporting Artist |
J. K. Terrell - On-Site Coordinator & Harmonica
 J. K. Terrell has been working with the ABP for 9 years and is currently our on-site coordinator. His skills as both an experienced harmonica player who worked extensively with the great blues man Johnny Shines, and as a licensed, certified social worker have been invaluable to our work with at-risk youth in our community. J. K. designed and teaches our life skills curriculum along with teaching harmonica to our blues camp students.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, J. K. has played in several southeastern bands including Full Moon, Hat Trick, Lost in the Mail and the nationally renowned Beanland. J. K. worked extensively with the late, great Alabama blues man Johnny Shines with whom he toured and recorded. Besides being a social worker at the Brewer Porch Children’s Center, J. K. is a faculty member at the University of Alabama School of Social Work. He also continues to perform with local blues and rock bands, and is on the music staff at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham. |
Debbie Bond - Band Leader, Vocals & Guitar - Visit her on MySpace
 Blues vocalist, guitar player, and song writer Debbie Bond has played in her own blues band since 1981. She has shared her band with many blues greats, including Carroline Shines' father, the late, great Johnny Shines, Jerry “Boogie” McCain and James Peterson, and has opened for such artists as Dr. John, Charlie Musselwhite, Roy Buchanan, R. L. Burnside, Big Jack Johnson, Kenny Neal and more. In 1995 she toured Europe with Little Whitt and Big Bo and she continues to be a popular performer on the club and festival circuit around the South East. Debbie has been touring as second guitar player for Willie King's band the Liberators since 2003.
Bond has released a solo CD titled What Goes Around Comes Around, is featured on the Vent Records CD, Alabama Blues Showcase: A Compilation of Alabama Blues Artists, and also on a German release on Taxim Records called Blues from the Heart of Dixie which showcases contemporary Alabama blues musicians. Bond is a 2001 recipient of an Alabama State Council on the Arts Master Apprenticeship Grant to study guitar with Eddie Kirkland. A long time “blues activist,” she is the founding director of the Alabama Blues Project, an award-winning blues education organization. Debbie has been working with the Alabama State Council on the Arts and other arts organizations to develop a blues curriculum. She has a B. A. in Sociology and an M. A. in American Studies focusing on the blues. |
Gary Edmonds - Advanced Band & Guitar
 Outstanding guitarist and instructor Gary Edmonds has been working with the ABP for many years. Born in Hobert, Indiana, Edmonds received his first guitar at age 11 and cites Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray, and Jimmy Page as his early influences. After moving to Alabama at age 13, Edmonds combined these earlier influences with the rich heritage of Alabama blues to form his own signature style.
Besides fronting his own band, Gary has backed many great Alabama blues musicians, including Willie King, Eddie Kirkland, Carroline Shines, Little Whitt and Big Bo, the Levi Breakers, and Debbie Bond. Gary has opened for many blues acts including B. B. King, Buddy Guy, Topper Price, and was featured recently on an Alabama Public TV special showcasing live Alabama blues artists. His most recent project is Stoney Lonesome.
Besides his own CD release, Leaving Time, Gary is also featured on Germany’s Taxim Records compilation CD Blues From the Heart of Dixie, which showcases Alabama blues musicians. Gary has worked as a session musician on many other recording projects and continues to be a regular performer on the Southeastern club and festival circuit. |
Rick Asherson - Keyboard & Harmonica
 Asherson first heard the blues in his native city of London, England, and began to play the harmonica, guitar and piano in the '60's. He has been playing harmonica and keyboards in bands in Europe and the U.S. for the past twenty years, and for the last four years he has been playing with blues legend Willie King and The Liberators, touring in the United States and Europe. He has played keyboards and harmonica for other Alabama blues greats, including Little Jimmy Reed, B. J. Miller, Carroline Shines, and Eddie Kirkland. Rick is Assistant Director of the Alabama Blues Project and a regular blues instructor with the ABP's after-school programs and artist residencies. He has worked closely in developing the Alabama Blues Project educational programs, curriculum and traveling exhibitions.
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Carroline Shines - Vocals & Featured Artist
 One of Alabama’s best kept secrets is the talented blues diva Carroline Shines. Carroline is carrying on the blues tradition she learned from her father, the late, great, world renowned Johnny Shines. As a legendary guitar player, singer and song writer, Johnny Shines lived the blues, performing and writing songs his entire life, even traveling with Robert Johnson in his youth. He was always a great educator and supporter of the blues, and passed on his passion to his daughter, Carroline Shines. Carroline grew up in this rich musical environment with her father as her mentor. She dedicated her early years to raising her own family and singing in the church and local bands while putting her own career on the back burner. In 2004 Carroline began working with the Alabama Blues Project after-school program, teaching young singers and helping to educate the next generation about the blues. Those who have long been aware of Carroline’s extraordinary talent are so excited that she is launching her performing career.
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Willie King - Featured Artist
 Blues singer/guitarist/song-writer Willie King has been receiving international acclaim for his last four CD releases and his hot juke joint style live shows. Hailing from Aliceville, Alabama, King’s high energy jukin’ blues and his socially conscious messages make a unique and exciting combination. People love to dance to Willie King and the Liberators, and his music is attracting a rapidly growing devoted audience. Recent honors include two nominations for W. C. Handy awards, and Living Blues magazine’s award for “Best Male Blues Artist,” “Best Blues Album” and “Best Contemporary Blues Album.” He has been featured on NPR’s "American Routes," was the cover story for Britain’s Juke Blues magazine, and has been featured in the internationally renowned magazines Living Blues and Blues Revue. His prestigious
performance venues
include the Chicago Blues Festival, the King Biscuit Festival in Helena, Arkansas, the Blues Passions festival in Cognac, France, and many more. He is a 2004 artist fellowship recipient from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Most recently he is the subject of a new Dutch
documentary film
called Willie King- Back to the Woods.
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Ralph Lusian - Guitar & Supporting Artist
 Lusian has been playing the blues for more than fifteen years with many outstanding blues musicians, starting with the legendary Johnny Shines in the early '90s. Since then, he has worked with many blues greats, including Jerry "Boogie" McCain, Willie King, Little Jimmy Reed, Topper Price, and Beverly "Guitar" Watson. He has also recorded with Jerry "Boogie" McCain and Beverly "Guitar" Watson. Ralph has been an outstanding instructor with the Alabama Blues Project education programs for over five years.
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Dwayne Pruitt - Drums
 Drum instructor Dwayne Pruitt, a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a self-taught musician who is proficient in both guitar and drums and who plays in a wide range of styles, from gospel and rhythm and blues to rock, funk, jazz and country. Dwayne’s earliest influence came from the Alabama gospel music he grew up with, and at an early age he began touring with regional gospel groups like Echos of Faith Male Chorus and the Ingram Angellet's Gospel Group, traveling the east coast and opening gospel concerts for groups such as the Mighty Clouds of Joy and the late James Ingram. He was a drummer for many years at the Southside C.M.E. Church in Birmingham, where he worked with many musicians, including the late West Lewis and Jonathan Callins, and opened concerts for the late Luther Ingram. Dwayne has also recorded with various gospel groups/choirs in Tuscaloosa, Northport, and Birmingham. He continues to be an active performer with bands in the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham area.
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B. J. Reed - Vocals
 B. J. Reed joined the ABP as a vocal instructor for the 2007 Spring After-School blues camp. A native of Vienna, Alabama, as a child she discovered that singing songs by vocalists she admired, like Aretha Franklin, was a great tool for entertaining her 10 siblings. She won the West Alabama Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1990, 1993, and 1998. In 1991 she was offered her first professional contract after having being seen at a competition at the prestigious Apollo Theater in Harlem. Critics have described her as a “dynamic vocal genius extraordinaire whose moving vocal performances embrace strong spiritual, social and philosophical values” and compared her to Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Lena Horne and Bette Midler! Loving to work with children and knowing first hand how music helped build self-confidence, she developed her own music education program that she presented in underserved Alabama schools. As with all our instructors, she is a regular performer at regional clubs and festivals.
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Little Lee - Featured Artist
 Born in 1943 in Carthage, Mississippi, Little Lee fell in love with the blues at age five and got his first guitar when he was 17. Lee went to Chicago when he was 20 and found work outside of music to pay his bills. In 1997, Lee returned to the south to be closer to his family, and now he lives in Montgomery, Alabama. There he continues to write original material and perform electric style urban blues. He tours extensively, performing and presenting blues in the schools programs. He was featured recently at a blues showcase of Alabama blues at the Center for Southern Culture in Oxford, Mississippi.
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Willie James Williams - Supporting Artist
 Willie James Williams has been Willie King’s drummer for over 25 years. A native of Noxubee County, Mississippi, he has been the percussionist on all of Willie King’s CDs, and has toured with him throughout the USA and in Europe. Performances with Willie King have included the Chicago Blues Festival, Pocono Blues Festival, the King Biscuit festival in Helena, Arkansas, Clarksdale’s Sunflower Festival, and the Blues Passions festival in Cognac, France.
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Eric Buchannon - Supporting Artist
 Veteran percussionist Buchannon has toured extensively in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, China, Israel, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe and the United States. Roger Hurricane Wilson, Big Jack Johnson, Little Jimmy Reed, and Carroline Shines and are just a few of the blues greats he has toured with. He has performed, recorded and been a music educator in a wide range of musical styles from the blues, to African music, to world music and more.
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OFFICE STAFF | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | TEACHING ARTISTS
2004 Coming Up Taller Award
 The Coming Up Taller Awards recognize and support outstanding community arts and humanities programs, especially those that reach underserved children and youth. These awards focus national attention on exemplary programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people, provide them with learning opportunities and chances to contribute to their communities. The Alabama Blues Project’s After-School and Summertime Blues Camp program received a Coming Up Taller Award in 2004.
This Coming Up Taller Awards program is a project of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. |
2004 Keeping
the Blues Alive Awards
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Seventeen dedicated blues enthusiasts received The Blues Foundation's 2004 Keeping The Blues Alive (KBA) Award during a recognition brunch on Saturday, January 31, 2004, in Memphis Tenn. Bob Porter, host of the syndicated blues radio program "Portrait in Blue," hosted the awards. The KBA ceremony is part of the BluesFirst weekend of events that also includes the culmination of the 20th International Blues Challenge competition and seminars, presentations and receptions for blues societies, fans and professionals.
 The KBA Awards are given each year to individuals and organizations that have contributed greatly to the growth and vitality of blues music. Recipients from the non-performing world range from blues societies and clubs to corporate sponsors and radio personalities, as well as writers and educators. A committee of professional blues industry representatives, historians, and artists chooses the KBA Award recipients annually through a comprehensive selection process.
The Blues Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving blues music, celebrating blues excellence and supporting blues education. It is the umbrella organization for a worldwide network of 100 affiliated blues societies and has individual memberships around the world. In addition to the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards, the foundation produces the Blues Music Awards, the Blues Hall of Fame Induction and the International Blues Challenge.
Alabama Blues Project wins the Blues Foundation's 2004 Keeping the Blues Alive award for education! Click Here for details at the Blues Foundation Web Site Archive
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OFFICE STAFF | BOARD OF DIRECTORS | TEACHING ARTISTS |
