Marcia Ball & Charlie Musselwhite Winners Again in 2009 Living Blues Awards
August 2009, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball and Charlie Musselwhite were recently honored with two 2009 Living Blues Awards each. Marcia won Blues Artist of the Year (Female) and Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) in the Readers' Poll. Charlie was awarded Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica) in both the Readers' Poll and the Critics'Poll. This is the third year in a row both Marcia and Charlie have been awarded Most Outstanding Musician in the Readers' Poll. Congratulations Marcia and Charlie!

Catch them both on tour:
Marcia Ball tour dates >>   Charlie Musselwhite tour dates >>


Bill Frisell Honored As Guitarist Of The Year & Other Rosebud Artists Score In Downbeat's 57th Annual Critics Poll
July 2009, Rosebud News

Bill Frisell was just honored for the eighth time in twelve years as Guitarist of the Year in Downbeat magazine's 57th Annual Critics Poll (August 2009 issue). Bill is also named the #6 overall Jazz Artist of the Year, his collaborative album with Jim Hall, Hemispheres, is the #4 Jazz Album of the Year and his Trio is ranked among the top Jazz Groups of the Year. Several frequent/recent Frisell collaborators were also honored: Joe Lovano was ranked #1 for Tenor Sax; also placing high were Sam Yahel (Organ), Jim Hall (Guitar), Brian Blade (Drums), Paul Motian (Drums), Jenny Scheinman (Violin) and #1 for Violin - Rising Star, Eyvind Kang (Violin - Rising Star) and Lee Townsend (Producer - Rising Star), who is also Bill's manager.

Other Rosebud Artists also scored top ten rankings in the poll including Marcia Ball in the category of Blues Artist - Rising Star, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews for Trombone - Rising Star, and Bettye LaVette as one of the top Blues Artists.

Congratulations to all!


Bill Frisell, Duke Robillard and Marcia Ball NPR Features
July 2009, Rosebud News

Bill Frisell, Duke Robillard and Marcia Ball are all featured on separate NPR programs in the coming weeks:

Bill Frisell's new album, Disfarmer, out July 21 on Nonesuch Records, was chosen as an Exclusive First Listen on NPR's website. Recently named Guitarist of the Year for the second year in a row by the Jazz Journalists Association, Bill's new CD showcases "evocative original themes and motifs here, surrounded by backgrounds sounding distant echoes of country, bluegrass and old-time mountain music" per NPR's Patrick Jarenwattananon. The Disfarmer project began as a touring multimedia work, with Bill scoring a slideshow of images from photographer Mike Disfarmer (1884-1959). Bill is joined on the CD by Greg Leisz (steel guitars, mandolin) Jenny Scheinman (violin) and Viktor Krauss (bass).

Duke Robillard's performance at the Mountain Stage radio show in Charleston, WV is scheduled to be broadcast beginning the weekend of July 24-26. It will also be archived in it's entirety. For a complete list of stations that carry Mountain Stage please click here. Duke, four-time Best Blues Guitarist winner at the Blues Music Awards, recently released Stomp! The Blues Tonight, which he describes as "Blues / classic-rhythm-and-blues, basically where I started in my Roomful of Blues days."

Marcia Ball will appear live on Mountain Stage on August 9, 2009 at the Clay Center in Charleston, WV. For detailed information, please click here. Also on the bill are Hill Country Revue, Cracker, Other Lives and Maia Sharp. Marcia, a four-time Grammy nominee, won her fourth Pinetop Perkins Best Piano Player Award in the past five years at the Blues Music Awards. Marcia was also recently nominated for Most Outstanding Musician, Keyboard in the upcoming Living Blues Awards, a category she has won the last two years.

Catch all three artists live, please see their tour dates at: Bill Frisell Tour Dates, Duke Robillard Tour Dates, Marcia Ball Tour Dates


Rosebud Artists Nominated For Living Blues Awards - Vote
June 2009, Rosebud News

Living Blues Magazine has honored Bettye LaVette, Marcia Ball, and Charlie Musselwhite with nominations in their Annual Reader's Poll. Bettye LaVette is honored with two nominations: Best Live Performer and Most Outstanding Blues Singer. Marcia Ball and Charlie Musselwhite are nominated in categories both won for the last two years straight: Most Outstanding Musician, Keyboard and Harmonica, respectively. Marcia is also nominated for Blues Artist of the Year (Female). You can cast your vote at - livingblues.com - by clicking on 2009 LIVING BLUES AWARDS VOTE HERE! All ballots must be received by July 5, 2009.

Best of luck to all the nominees! Catch them all on the road this summer and beyond - please see their tour dates at: Bettye LaVette tour dates, Marcia Ball tour dates, Charlie Musselwhite tour dates


Rosebud Artists Everywhere At New Orleans Jazz Fest
May 2009, Rosebud News

Rosebud Artists could be found performing in a wide variety of formats during the 40th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (April 24 - May 3).

Marcia Ball was featured in a Piano Night benefit for WWOZ at House of Blues, a performance at the Wednesday on the Square series in Lafayette Square Park, headlining sets at Snug Harbor and House of Blues and her rousing set at the Festival directly preceding Bonnie Raitt. .. read full story >>


Marcia Ball and Albert Collins Honored With Blues Music Awards, John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom" Inducted Into Blues Hall of Fame
May 2009, Rosebud News

At the 30th Blues Music Awards in Memphis on May 7, 2009, Marcia Ball was honored with her fourth Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award in the past five years. The late Albert Collins, a Rosebud Artist until his passing in 1993, won Historical Album of the Year for Albert Collins Live at Montreux 1992. John Lee Hooker's hit "Boom Boom" was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (Hooker was a Rosebud artist for 25 years until his passing in 2001). Deanna Bogart, who plays in the Rosebud booked Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue with Tommy Castro, won for Best Instrumentalist - Horn.

Congratulations to all the winners! Marcia Ball and Bettye LaVette were also featured performers at the award show. Catch both Marcia and Bettye on the road, please see tour dates >>


Marcia Ball Wins Blues Critic Award
February 2009, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball has won the award for Best Blues Keyboards in the Blues Critic Awards 2008 Readers Poll for Contemporary Blues.  This comes on the heels of Marcia's 4th Grammy nomination this year and precedes the Blues Music Awards where Marcia is  once again nominated for both Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year and for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year award.  In the meantime Marcia celebrated her still upcoming 60th birthday by hosting three days of sold out music events with a wide array of her famous friends to benefit Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and Sweet Home New Orleans.

See Marcia performing live, please see tour dates>>


Marcia Ball’s Most Generous and Fun Birthday
February 2009, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball is turning 60 - who would believe that? To celebrate, she is hosting a three day Great Big Birthday Bash in Austin, TX over this Valentine's Day weekend to benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and Sweet Home New Orleans. The shows will feature an extensive list of Marcia's musician friends including Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie, Sonny Landreth, Angela Strehli, Maria Muldaur, Tracy Nelson, Lavelle White, Lou Ann Barton, Sarah Brown and more. On Sunday there will be a five keyboard "Pianorama Brunch" featuring Floyd Domino, Johnny Nicholas, Nick Connolly, Riley Osborne and Marcia on five keyboards all at the same time. All of the shows take place at Antone's. If you cannot make it to the shows but would like to donate to the causes, please click here and scroll down to the Marcia Ball Birthday Fund. Happy Birthday Marcia and what an exemplary way to celebrate by helping those less fortunate!


Rosebud Artists Nominated for the 2009 - 30th Blues Music Awards
December 2008, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball, Bettye LaVette, Ruthie Foster and the late Albert Collins have been nominated for a total of six Blues Music Awards. The 30th Blues Music Awards will be held Thursday May 7, 2009 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Rosebud artist nominations are as follows:

Marcia Ball is nominated for both Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year and for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year award. Bettye LaVette is nominated for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year. Ruthie Foster is nominated for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. The late Albert Collins, who was a Rosebud Artist until his passing in 1993, is nominated for both DVD and Historical Album of the Year for Albert Collins Live at Montreux 1992.

Other Rosebud related artists nominated are, in the Instrumentalist - Horn category: longtime Tommy Castro Band saxophonist Keith Crossan, Doug James who has performed and toured extensively with Duke Robillard over the years and Deanna Bogart, who plays in the Rosebud booked Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue with Tommy Castro.

Also honored with a nomination for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year is Maria Muldaur, who will be touring with fellow nominees Marcia Ball and Bettye LaVette in the Sisters of Soul tour that Rosebud is coordinating for the 2009 - 2010 Fine Arts season.

Congratulations & best of luck to all the nominees!


Rosebud Artists Score 5+ Grammy Nominations
December 2008, Rosebud News

Rosebud Artists captured 5+ Grammy nominations for the upcoming 51st Grammy Awards. Artists were honored in the following categories.

Best Contemporary Blues Album - Marcia Ball's Peace, Love and BBQ

Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album - BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet for Live At The 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as well as Michael Doucet’s own From Now On

Best Traditional Gospel Album - The Blind Boys of Alabama for their Down In New Orleans CD which also features Rosebud artist and New Orleans legend, Allen Toussaint

Best Jazz Instrumental Album - Bill Frisell’s History, Mystery.

Best Long Form Music Video category, Respect Yourself - The Stax Records Story featuring Mavis Staples and Booker T Jones (and named after The Staple Singers’ hit) also scored a nomination.

Our heartiest Congratulations and sincere Best of Luck to all the nominees.


Rosebud Artists Nominated For 2008 Roots Music Awards
October 2008, Rosebud News

The Roots Music Association has nominated four Rosebud artists in six categories for the 2008 Roots Music Awards. The awards will take place during the World United Music Festival in San Marcos, Texas November 14, 15, 16, 2008.

The Rosebud artists nominated are, for Blues Artist of the Year and for Blues Songwriter of the Year, Marcia Ball. For Folk Artist of the Year and for Folk Songwriter of the Year, Carrie Rodriguez. For Jazz Artist of the Year, Bill Frisell. For Zydeco Artist of the Year, Allen Toussaint.

You can vote for the awards here:
https://www.worldunitedmusicfestival.com/index.php?page=vote

Catch the nominees out on tour: Marcia Ball tour dates || Carrie Rodriguez tour dates || Bill Frisell tour dates || Allen Toussaint tour dates


Marcia Ball and Charlie Musselwhite Honored Once Again With Living Blues Awards
October 2008, Rosebud News

Living Blues magazine readers have once again honored both Marcia Ball and Charlie Musselwhite in their 15th Annual Reader's Poll. Repeating their victories of last year, Marcia Ball was named Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) and Charlie Musselwhite won Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica).

Catch both on tour:
Marcia tour dates >>
Charlie Tour dates >>


Marcia Ball's Peace, Love & BBQ In Stores April 8
February 2008, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball will release her highly anticipated new CD, Peace, Love & BBQ (Alligator Records) on April 8. Produced by Stephen Bruton, Peace, Love & BBQ finds Ball at a creative peak, writing or co-writing eight of the thirteen songs on the CD. Guests include Dr. John, Wayne Toups, Tracy Nelson and Terrance Simien. While Ball has appeared on several successful compilation albums over the past year (Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Friends, Solos, Sessions & Encores), this is her first new studio CD in four years and the 13th album of her career. Her last album release, 2005’s Live! Down the Road received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album. Marcia was recently a featured guest on a February 23rd broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion, performing several tracks from the new album.

Marcia will be touring extensively throughout the U.S. this year...see tour dates >>


BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet and Marcia Ball Featured Guests on A Prairie Home Companion
February 2008, Rosebud News

This past weekend (February 23), legendary blues pianist and singer Marcia Ball and the eclectic and electric Cajuns, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, appeared on A Prairie Home Companion. Hosted by Garrison Keillor, the program is heard by more than 4 million listeners on some 580 public radio stations on America One and the Armed Forces Networks in Europe and the Far East. Marcia performed songs from her much anticipated new album “Peace, Love & BBQ,” in stores on April 8. BeauSoleil has a long relationship with the show and are among the most frequently featured guests.

Listen to Marcia and BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet’s A Prairie Home Companion appearance >>

Marcia will be touring extensively throughout the U.S. this year...see tour dates >>
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet will be touring in the U.S. and Europe this year...see tour dates >>


Bettye LaVette, Mavis Staples And More Rosebud Artists Recognized In Village Voice Pazz & Jop Poll
January 2008, Rosebud News

Rosebud artists Bettye LaVette and Mavis Staples scored spots in the top 35 of Village Voice's annual "Pazz & Jop Poll" for LaVette’s Scene Of The Crime and Staples’ We'll Never Turn Back. The annual poll combines ballots from 577 critics’ Top 10 lists to acknowledge the best albums of 2007. Additional Rosebud artists whose CDs were honored were Bill Frisell (for his work with Floratone and with Paul Motian and Joe Lovano) Loudon Wainwright III, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ruthie Foster, Pieta Brown, Ann Savoy and the late Muddy Waters. Compilations that featured Rosebud artists were Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur (Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars), Goin Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino (Allen Toussaint, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Trombone Shorty and Marcia Ball) and Song Of America (The Blind Boys of Alabama and Bettye LaVette).

See the full list of albums at: Village Voice's annual "Pazz & Jop Poll" >>


Rosebud Artists Marcia Ball and The Late Great Albert Collins Featured On Stevie Ray Vaughan & Friends, Solos, Sessions & Encores
January 2008, Rosebud News

Rosebud artists Marcia Ball and the late legendary Albert Collins are featured on Stevie Ray Vaughan's latest CD, Solos, Sessions & Encores. Stevie is featured backing fellow Austin singer, songwriter, keyboardist and multiple Grammy nominee Marcia Ball on Marcia’s "Soulful Dress." He is also captured jamming with Albert Collins on "Albert’s Shuffle," recorded live at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The CD also includes tracks with David Bowie, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Dick Dale and Jeff Beck. Solos, Sessions & Encores is available now at Amazon.com. Marcia Ball will be touring extensively in 2008. - see tour dates >>


Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino featuring Allen Toussaint, Marcia Ball, Trombone Shorty and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band out September 25
September 2007, Rosebud News

Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino features Rosebud artists Allen Toussaint, Marcia Ball, Trombone Shorty and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. On this double-disc tribute, Allen Toussaint joins Paul McCartney on "I Want to Walk You Home” and Marcia Ball pairs up with Irma Thomas for their own rendition of "I Just Can't Get New Orleans Off My Mind". Marcia also sings backing vocals with Dr John on “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. Trombone Shorty also does double duty teaming up with the Rebirth Brass Band and Lenny Kravitz on "Whole Lotta Loving" and also joining with Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk and B B King on “Goin Home” while The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is featured on "Every Night About This Time," along with Joss Stone and Buddy Guy. The album, set for a September 25 release, includes Domino hits such as "Blueberry Hill," "I’m Walkin’," and "Ain’t That a Shame”. Other artists on the album include Willie Nelson, Elton John, Robert Plant, and Neil Young. Proceeds are to be donated to New Orleans Public Schools and fund the reconstruction of Domino’s home, which was severely damaged from Hurricane Katrina.


Rosebud Artists Score Living Blues Awards
August 2007, Rosebud News

Congratulations to several Rosebud artists who were honored in the Living Blues Readers and Critics Polls. The Critic’s Poll named Bettye LaVette both Blues Artist of the Year (Female) and Most Outstanding Blues Singer. In the Reader’s Poll awards, Marcia Ball was named Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) and Charlie Musselwhite took Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica). The late John Lee Hooker, a Rosebud artist for 25 years, was honored for Shout! Factory’s Hooker box set, which was named Best Blues Album of 2006 (Historical Recording) in the Reader’s Poll and Best Historical Reissue / Post-war in the Critic’s Poll.


Rosebud Artists Triumph At Blues Awards
May 2007, Rosebud News

The Blues Foundation’s prestigious Blues Music Awards took place in Memphis May 10, with Rosebud artists once again proving their popularity in the genre. Charlie Musselwhite was the big winner of the evening with four awards, including top honors for his latest album, Delta Hardware. Marcia Ball took home the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year for the third year in a row. The Historical Album of the Year award went to John Lee Hooker, a Rosebud artist for 25 years until his passing in 2001, for Shout! Factory’s career retrospective box set Hooker. Charlie Musselwhite was the only artist to win more than two awards, taking honors for Album of the Year, Traditional Blues Album of the Year, Song of the Year ("Church Is Out"), and - for the 14th year - Best Instrumentalist-Harmonica.


Rosebud Artists Score Combined 14 Blues Music Award Nominations
December 2006, Rosebud News

Rosebud Artists scored 14 nominations this year for the Blues Music Awards, formerly known as the W.C. Handy Awards. Charlie Musselwhite is nominated for 5 awards, including Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Traditional Blues Album of the Year (Delta Hardware), Song of the Year ("Church is Out") and his perennial nomination for Best Instrumentalist- Harmonica. Bettye LaVette is honored with two nominations for Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year (her fourth year in a row), as well as a nod for the top honor of the evening - B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. Marcia Ball also earned two nominations for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year (4th consecutive nomination) and Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year. Duke Robillard received a nomination for Best Instrumentalist - Guitar and his saxophone player, Doug James, receives one as well for Best Instrumentalist - Horn. Mavis Staples is nominated for the fourth year in a row for Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year. Former Rosebud artist, the late Ruth Brown is nominated for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year and the late John Lee Hooker's just released box set, Hooker (on Shout! Factory), has been nominated for Historical Album of the Year. Rosebud owner/founder, Mike Kappus, coordinated 16 of the original featured recordings in the package. The Blues Music Awards ceremony and concert will be held May 10, 2007 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis. For more information, please go to Blues Music Awards Information >>


Marcia Ball featured in PBS special, "Cincinnati Pops: Take Me to the River"
October 2006, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball's performance with Cincinnati Pops Orchestra was recently featured in a PBS special entitled "Cincinnati Pops: Take Me to the River." The special featured a live performance presented by The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, celebrating America's rivers. Marcia Ball was a special guest, as were Gregg Baker and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Marcia is having a banner year this year, having received another Grammy nomination (her third) and once again being one of the most nominated artists at the Blues Music Awards. 2006 is also one of her busiest tour years.

Click here to catch her on tour >>
Watch Preview "Cincinnati Pops: Take Me to the River" of at Cincinnati Public Media >>


Bill Frisell, Bettye LaVette, Marcia Ball Honored in Downbeat Critics Poll
July 2006, Rosebud News

Bill Frisell has repeated as Best Guitarist in the annual Downbeat Magazine critics poll (Aug 2006). Bill was among the very best in other categories including Best Jazz Artist and Best Jazz Album (for his East/West AND his collaboration with Paul Motian and Joe Lovano "I Have The Room Above Her"). Individual musicians from Bill's various touring bands were also recognized including Jack DeJohnette (#1 Drummer), Jenny Scheinman (#1 Rising Star Violin, Violin), Sam Yahel (#1 Rising Star Organ, Organ, Keyboard), Paul Motian (Drums), Brian Blade (Rising Star Drums, Drums) and Greg Tardy (Rising Star Clarinet). Bill's manager and producer Lee Townsend was also recognized in the Producer and Rising Star Producer categories.

Rosebud artists Bettye LaVette and Marcia Ball were also ranked among the best blues artists. Bettye was recognized in the Best Blues Artist, Best Blues Album and Best Beyond Album for her latest release I've Got My Own Hell To Raise. Marcia was also recognized in the Best Blues Artist and Best Blues Album (Live! Down the Road) categories.


Rosebud Artists Triumph At Blues Music Awards
May 2006, Rosebud News

The Blues Foundation announced their annual Blues Music Awards (formerly the W.C. Handy Awards) last night and, once again, Rosebud artists were well represented. Marica Ball was honored with her third award in as many years when she was named Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year. Mavis Staples was honored as Soul/Blues Female Artist of the year for the second year in a row. Charlie Musselwhite picked up the award for Best Instrumentalist-Harmonica for the 13th time in his career, bringing his total Blues Foundation awards to 19. The awards ceremony also featured Blues Music Award nominee and Rosebud artist Tommy Castro who performed along with Kim Wilson and Elvin Bishop. The Blues Music Awards are the highest honor in the blues world, an event often touted as the Grammys of the Blues. Thank you to the Blues Foundation, all the fans and congratulations to all the artists for another great year of keeping the blues alive.


Marcia Ball's Live Down the Road Named #1 Blues CD by Living Blues Magazine Extending Her Honors Over The Past Year
February 2006, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball's Live Down The Road was just named the #1 Blues CD of 2005 by Living Blues Magazine. (Also listed among Living Blues best blues releases of 2005 were Rosebud artists Tommy Castro, John Hammond, Duke Robillard and Charlie Musselwhite.) Marcia's 2005 honors also included her 3rd Grammy nomination, for Live Down The Road. She is also tied for most nominated artist overall in this year's Blues Music Awards with four nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, and Piano Player ofthe Year. Marcia was honored in song in 2005 when her friend, Angela Strehli, sang a tribute to her (with Maria Muldaur and Marcia on backing vocals) as the title track of her album "Blue Highway."


Rosebud Artists Score Combined 13 Blues Music Award nominations• - Marcia Ball, Tommy Castro, Bettye LaVette, Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite, John Hammond, Robert Cray and Muddy Waters Named
December 2005, Rosebud News

Rosebud Artists scored 13 nominations for the Blues Music Awards, formerly known as the W.C. Handy Awards. Marcia Ball is tied for most nominated artist overall this year with four nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, and Piano Player of the Year. Tommy Castro makes his first appearance in the Blues Music Awards with nominations for both Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year for his album Soul Shaker. Bettye LaVette was honored with a nomination for Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year for the third year in a row, as well as a nod for Soul Blues Album of the Year for her album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise. Last year's big winners Mavis Staples and Charlie Musselwhite were nominated again for Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year and Instrumentalist - Harmonica, respectively. John Hammond's album, In Your Arms Again, was awarded a nomination for Best Acoustic Album of the Year. Robert Cray's song "Twenty" was honored with a nomination for Song of the Year and the late Muddy Waters rounds out the Rosebud Agency honors with a nomination for Historical Album of the Year for the Album Hoochie Coochie Man: The Complete Chess Recordings, Volume 2, 1952 - 1958.


Grammy Noms for Marcia Ball, John Hammond, Robert Cray and Mr. Watts' Other Band
December 2005, Rosebud News

Rosebud artists just nominated for Grammy Awards include Marcia Ball for Live! Down The Road and John Hammond for In Your Arms Again in the Best Traditional Blues category as well as Robert Cray for Twenty in the Best Contemporary Blues category. Rosebud artist Charlie Watts also scored a nomination with his other band, The Rolling Stones, for A Bigger Bang in the Best Rock Album category. The Grammys will be awarded in Los Angeles on February 8, 2006.


Marcia Ball Joins Neville Brothers and Meters on Letterman Thursday September 16
September 2005, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball will join The Neville Brothers and The Meters on the David Letterman show Friday September 16 to perform Fiyo On The Bayou. Marcia's Live! Down The Road just re-entered the Billboard Blues charts and is currently #8. Watch for Marcia on tour year round.


Rosebud Artists Win Big at 2005 W.C. Handy Awards
May 2005, Rosebud News

The Blues Foundation announced the recipients of the 2005 W.C. Handy Blues Awards last night (May 5, 2005) in Memphis and Rosebud artists Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite and Marcia Ball received a total of eight awards. Mavis Staples and Charlie Musselwhite were the big winners of the night tying for the most awards for any artist with three awards each.

Mavis won all three of her nominations, including "Blues Album of the Year" (for her acclaimed release "Have A Little Faith"), "Soul/Blues Album of the Year" and "Soul/Blues Artist, Female". A related fourth award went to the album's title track "Have A Little Faith", which picked up "Blues Song of the Year", a songwriters award for Jim Tullio and Jim Weider. Mavis' wins come on the heels of a Grammy-bestowed Lifetime Achievement Award as a member of The Staple Singers. Charlie Musselwhite took home three new awards as well to add to a Handy collection that now numbers 18. Charlie won for "Best Contemporary Blues Album" ("Sanctuary"), "Best Contemporary Male Blues Artist" and "Best Instrumentalist-Harmonica" (his 12th win in the category). Marcia Ball, "Contemporary Blues Album of the Year" winner in 2004, took home the Handy for "Best Instrumentalist-Keyboards". The Handys are the highest honor in the blues world, an event often touted as the Grammys of the Blues. Thank you to the Blues Foundation, all the fans and congratulations to all the artists for another great year of keeping the blues alive.


5 Rosebud Artists Honored With 12 W.C. Handy Blues Awards Nominations
December 2004, Rosebud News

The Blues Foundation's nominees for the 26th Annual W.C. Handy Awards feature five Rosebud artists scoring a total of 12 nominations. Mavis Staples' first appearance in the Handy voting has her scoring among the most nominated artists this year with four nominations including Blues Album of the Year and Soul/Blues Album of the Year for her new release Have a Little Faith as well as a nod for Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year. The title track "Have a Little Faith" also received a Blues Song of the Year nomination for writers Jim Tullio and Jim Weider. Perennial winner, Charlie Musselwhite received three nominations including Contemporary Blues Album of the Year for Sanctuary, Contemporary Blues-Male Artist of the Year and Best Instrumentalist-Harmonica. Marcia Ball also continues as a Handy favorite with nominations for Best Instrumentalist-Keyboards as well as Contemporary Blues-Female Artist of the Year. Duke Robillard garnered a nomination for Traditional Blues Album of the Year for his album Blue Mood: The Songs of T-Bone Walker and again is honored for his virtuosity with a nomination for Best Instrumentalist-Guitar which he has won four of the past five years. Bettye LaVette continues her Handy honors with a nomination for Soul/Blues-Female Artist of the Year.

The W.C. Handy Awards will take place on May 5, 2005 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, TN. For more information go to blues.org >>


Rosebud Artists Win Big At 25th Handy Awards
April 2004, Rosebud News

Rosebud Agency artists had a great night at the 25th Annual W. C. Handy Blues Awards Thursday April 29. Marcia Ball scored double honors for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year and also for Contemporary Blues Album of the Year for her latest Alligator CD, So Many Rivers (also a Grammy Nominee this year in the same category). Duke Robillard's guitar mastery was acknowledged once again as he was named Best Blues Guitarist for the fourth time in the past five years - a stunning achievement given the competition in this category. And speaking of consistency, Charlie Musselwhite picked up his 15th Handy Award continuing an amazing streak as Best Blues Instrumentalist - Harmonica. John Hammond once again won as Best Acoustic Blues Artist - a category he has begun to dominate as well. And Bettye LaVette who was barely known to the blues world last year won Comeback Blues Album of the Year for her CD, A Woman Like Me, one of her 4 nominations this year. Finally, Best Historical Blues CD of the year went to Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live by former Rosebud artist, the late Muddy Waters. A big Thank You to The Blues Foundation and all the fans for expressing their appreciation for the talent and hard work put forth by our artists. And a big congratulations to all of our artists for another great year of keeping the blues alive.


Rosebud Artists Score Multiple W.C. Handy Blues Award Nominations - Bettye LaVette, Marcia Ball, Charlie Musselwhite, John Hammond and Duke Robillard All Named
January 2004, Rosebud News

Rosebud artists once again made an impressive showing in the 2004 W. C. Handy Blues Award nominations.

Bettye LaVette scored four nominations for this year's awards tying her for second most among all nominees. Her album "A Woman Like Me" was picked in nominations for Blues Album of the Year, Soul Blues Album of the Year and Comeback Album of the Year. Bettye was also acknowledged with a nomination for Best Soul Female Artist.

Marcia Ball, the 2002 winner for Blues Album of the Year, picked up three nominations. Her CD "So Many Rivers" is nominated in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category while "Foreclose on the House of Love" from the CD is nominated for Blues Song of the Year for the songwriter John Lee Sanders. Marcia also received nominations for Best Contemporary Female Artist and Blues Instrumentalist - Keyboards.

John Hammond is once again nominated for Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year - the category he won most recently in 2002. Charlie Musselwhite scored another nomination for Blues Instrumentalist - Harmonica, a category he wins almost every year.

And guitar virtuoso, Duke Robillard is nominated once again for Blues Instrumentalist - Guitar. Duke won this award in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and this is his 5th consecutive nomination in the category - an extremely impressive accomplishment given the strength of the annual competition in the guitar category.

In addition to the above, Jay McShann, who joins The Duke Robillard Band on exclusive festival dates around the world picked up a nomination for Blues Instrumentalist - Keyboards.

Congratulations to all the award nominees. The 25th annual W.C. Handy award ceremonies will take place in Memphis on April 29, 2004. For the latest news on the Handy Awards visit http://www.handyawards.com.


Rosebud Agency Artists Score Grammy Nominations in Pop, Blues and Gospel Categories
December 2003, Rosebud News

Once again this year, Rosebud artists have been nominated for Grammys in a variety of categories. The Blind Boys of Alabama follow their back-to-back Grammy wins with a third consecutive nomination for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for this year’s "Go Tell It On The Mountain". Marcia Ball's "So Many Rivers" is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Mavis Staples has been nominated for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for her duet with Bob Dylan entitled "Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking". The song appears on the album "Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan" which was also nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album.

Also, Jay McShann's "Going To Kansas City" (featuring Rosebud artist and previous McShann producer, Duke Robillard, on guitar) was nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album. Deceased long-time Rosebud Agency artists Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Willie Dixon are featured in "The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Volume 1" which was nominated for Best Long Form Music Video. Also nominated in this same category is Muddy Waters who is, of course, the focus of "Muddy Waters, Can't Be Satisfied". A number of artists featured on the Earthjustice benefit CD "Where We Live - Stand For What You Stand On" compiled by Rosebud founder, Mike Kappus, were also among the nominees. Earthjustice contributors Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, and Bob Dylan were all nominated in a variety of categories. The Grammys will be awarded February 8 in Los Angeles.

Grammy.com >>


Marcia Ball Set For Appearances On NPR Programs and PBS Series "The Blues"
September 2003, Rosebud News

The "Bayou Queen of the Piano" Marcia Ball just appeared and will appear on the National Public Radio programs "Day To Day" and "A Prairie Home Companion" on September 26 and October 4 respectively, as well as appearing in the PBS television series "The Blues" beginning September 28 nationwide. "Day To Day" with host Alex Chadwick is carried on 78 stations around the country and finds Marcia displaying various blues styles and vocal techniques. "A Prairie Home Companion" with host Garrison Keillor can be heard weekly on over 511 stations and will feature Marcia performing songs from her most recent Alligator Records CD "So Many Rivers". "The Blues" is a seven-part television film series from executive producer Martin Scorsese that anchors the multi-media celebration of The Year of the Blues. Marcia Ball appears in the Clint Eastwood directed segment "Piano Blues". Catch Marcia Ball on tour throughout 2003 and 2004 -- see tour dates.

Listen "Day To Day" September 26, 2003 >>

For local times and listings, go to:
• Day To Day (find stations) >>
• A Prairie Home Companion (find stations) >>
PBS - The Blues (broadcast schedule) >>


Marcia Ball Featured on Rosetta Tharpe Tribute Album
September 2003, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball is featured with an all-star lineup (Bonnie Raitt, Michelle Shocked, Victoria Williams and Maria Muldaur) on the recently released M.C. Records CD "Shout, Sister, Shout! A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe". Sister Rosetta (1915-73) was a gospel singer and hard-rocking guitarist whose brash, blues-meets-gospel persona confounded '50s America. Marcia contributes her spirited rendition of one of Sister Rosetta's staple songs "I Want A Tall Skinny Papa." Catch Marcia Ball touring in support of her most recent album "So Many Rivers" throughout 2003 -- see tour dates.


Rosebud Artists Score Big at 2003 W.C. Handy Awards
May 2003, Rosebud News

Rosebud Artists were once again a significant presence at the W.C. Handy Blues Awards held May 22, 2003 in Memphis, Tennessee. Duke Robillard won "Best Instrumentalist - Guitar" for the third time in the last four years. Charlie Musselwhite won two awards including one for "Male Contemporary Artist of the Year" along with his perennial award for "Best Instrumentalist - Harmonica". John Hammond won once again for "Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year". Marcia Ball (last year's "Album of the Year" winner and a nominee for both "Female Contemporary Artist of the Year" and "Blues Instrumentalist - Keyboards" this year) served as co-host for the ceremony and Ruth Brown stole the show in her role as presenter for the "Entertainer of the Year" award to B.B. King. Congratulations to all the W.C. Handy Award winners and nominees and be sure to catch Duke Robillard, Charlie Musselwhite, John Hammond, Marcia Ball, Ruth Brown and The W.C. Handy All-Stars on tour throughout 2003 - see tour dates.

The 24th W.C. Handy Awards >>


Marcia Ball To Co-Host 24th Annual WC Handy Awards
May 2003, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball, last year’s most nominated artist and 2002 winner for Blues Album of the year, will co-host the 24th Annual WC Handy Awards at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis on May 22 with Delbert McClinton and Bobby Rush. Marcia received multiple Handy nominations again this year for Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year and Best Blues Instrumentalist - Keyboards. Other Rosebud artists earning Handy nominations include Charlie Musselwhite (4 nominations), John Hammond and Duke Robillard - as well as W.C. Handy All Stars participant, Otis Taylor (2 nominations). Be sure and catch Marcia Ball on tour throughout 2003 in support of her latest release "So Many Rivers" -- see tour dates.

24th Annual WC Handy Awards >>


Marcia Ball’s "So Many Rivers" to be released April 22
April 2003, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball’s new CD So Many Rivers will be released on April 22. The CD is the much anticipated follow-up to "Presumed Innocent", the 2001 WC Handy Award winner for "Blues Album of the Year" and the best selling CD of Marcia’s career. On the new CD Marcia mixes her energetic brand of New Orleans piano boogie with Texas Roadhouse Blues and R&B. The new CD is the 10th of Marcia’s career and second consecutive for Alligator Records. Look for Marcia Ball on tour throughout 2003 – see tour dates.


Marcia Ball Joins The Hackberry Ramblers on NBC's Today Show Feb 21
February 2003, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball joins her longtime friends The Hackberry Ramblers on NBC-TV's Today Show in a feature story to air on Friday, February 21. The Today Show story on The Hackberry Ramblers' 70th anniversary features a guest appearance by Ball, who joins in at a Sunday afternoon dance deep in bayou country. The feature was filmed both at McGee's Landing in Henderson, LA, and at the Rendez-vous des Cajuns radio show in Eunice, LA. Watch for Marcia's new Alligator CD coming in late April as well as her appearance on an upcoming cover of Blues Revue Magazine.

The Hackberry Ramblers Official Page >>


Rosebud Artists Chalk Up 8 W.C. Handy Blues Award Nominations - Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball, John Hammond and Duke Robillard named
January 2003, Rosebud News

Rosebud artists once again made an impressive showing in the 2003 W. C. Handy Blues Award nominations.

Charlie Musselwhite scored four nominations for this year's awards as his latest CD, One Night In America, was picked in nominations for Blues Album of the Year and Contemporary Blues Album of the Year. Charlie was also acknowledged with nominations for Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year and his perennial nomination for Blues Instrumentalist - Harmonica.

Marcia Ball, last year’s most nominated artist and 2002 winner for Blues Album of the year, had no new CD this year but she is nominated for Contemporary Blues - Female Artist of the Year as well as Blues Instrumentalist - Keyboards.

John Hammond is once again nominated for Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year - the category he won again last year.

And guitar virtuoso, Duke Robillard is nominated once again for Blues Instrumentalist - Guitar. Duke won this award in 2000 and 2001 and was nominated last year as well.

In addition to the above, Otis Taylor, who joins Rosebud artists John Hammond and Charlie Musselwhite (as well as Eric Bibb) on this year's W.C. Handy All Stars tour, snagged nominations for Contemporary Blues Album of the Year and Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year.

The W.C. Handy award ceremonies will take place in Memphis on May 22, 2003.


Rosebud Artists Score Big at W.C. Handy Awards
May 2002, Rosebud News

Rosebud Artists were a significant presence at the W.C. Handy Awards held May 23, 2002 in Memphis, Tennessee. Ruth Brown was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and also presented the Entertainer of the Year award to long-time friend B.B. King. Marcia Ball, the artist with most overall nominations this year, came home with the coveted Best Blues Album. Charlie Musselwhite was a winner in two categories – Best Blues Instrumentalist (Harmonica) and Blues Song of the Year for "Charlie's Old Highway 51 Blues". John Hammond took home the award for Best Acoustic Album for his Tom Waits produced "Wicked Grin". Duke Robillard, winner of the previous two years' Best Blues Guitarist awards, was once again nominated and was a featured presenter at the Awards. Former Rosebud client, the late Muddy Waters won for Best Historical CD for "Fathers & Sons", which also included former Rosebud artist, the late Michael Bloomfield. Charlie Musselwhite performed live at the show in a band which also featured Keb ‘Mo. And Marcia Ball & her band turned in a great set of their own. John Lee Hooker, who passed away last June, was also honored at the event with a video tribute.


Rosebud Congratulates our 2002 W. C. Handy Award Nominees. Marcia Ball tops all contenders with 5 W. C. Handy Awards Nominations. John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite and Duke Robillard also score Handy nominations
January 2002, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball's Handy nominations include nods for Blues Entertainer of the Year, Contemporary Blues-Female Artist of the Year, and Blues Instrumentalist-Keyboards as well as Contemporary Blues Album of the Year and Blues Album of the Year for her Presumed Innocent CD.

John Hammond, whose Tom Waits produced Wicked Grin CD has been collecting accolades all year, hauls in three nominations including Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, Blues Album of the Year, and Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year.

Duke Robillard who was named #1 Blues Guitarist in 2000 and 2001 returns once again as a nominee in the same category in 2002.

Charlie Musselwhite, already a ten time W. C. Handy Award winner, brings in yet another nomination for Blues Instrumentalist-Harmonica. Charlie's song, "Charlie's Old Highway 51 Blues", also got a nod for Blues Song of the Year.

Rosebud Artist, the late Muddy Waters, was also honored in the Historical Blues Album of the Year category for his Fathers and Sons album.


Marcia Ball Featured On Blues Access Cover, 25th Week on Blues Chart
October 2001, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball graces the cover of the Fall 2001 issue of Blues Access magazine with an extended feature story inside. Marcia's Alligator debut, Presumed Innocent, also continues to rank in the top 15 of Billboard's Blues CD Chart for the 25th consecutive week.


Billboard Magazine Covers Rosebud's The Blind Boys of Alabama, Marcia Ball, John Hammond and The Robert Cray Band in features and on the charts
May 2001, Rosebud News

Billboard Magazine has recently done extensive features on several Rosebud artists. Marcia Ball and Robert Cray have been featured in major pieces in the past few weeks while John Hammond was featured in a Spotlight review of his new Tom Waits produced CD, "Wicked Grin". The Blind Boys of Alabama were featured in two separate pieces as noted in last month's Rosebud news. John Hammond and Marcia Ball's new CDs are both featured in the top 5 of Billboard's Blues Charts while Robert Cray's "Shoulda Been Home" hits the streets May 15.


Marcia Ball's New CD, Presumed Innocent, Sample Available
April 2001, Rosebud News

Marcia Ball's stunning new Alligator debut, PRESUMED INNOCENT, was unleashed on the world, April 24th. You can get a sample of this disc just by clicking on the link below. This flash multimedia presentation is a first for Alligator and a great introduction to the new album.


Four Rosebud Artists Honored with W. C. Handy Award Nominations
January 2001, Rosebud News

Ruth Brown, Charlie Musselwhite and Duke Robillard all scored W. C. Handy Award Nominations with Marcia Ball pulling in two nominations. Artists and categories are as follows:

Marcia Ball - Contemporary Blues - Female Artist of the Year and Blues Instrumentalist - Keyboards
Ruth Brown - Traditional Blues - Female Artist of the Year
Duke Robillard - Blues Instrumentalist - Guitar
Charlie Musselwhite - Blues Instrumentalist - Harmonica

The Handy Awards will be held in Memphis on May 24,2001 at the Orpheum Theatre.