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Since Apr 1, 1997

This page contains the winners of the awards and contests sponsored by the Kentuckiana Blues Society.
[ Sylvester Weaver Award | Blues Competition ]

The Sylvester Weaver Award is given yearly to an individual who exemplifies the goals of the KBS and is presented to the winner at the Louisville Blues Festival (formerly known as The Garvin Gates Blues Festival, currently non-existent) or the Annual KBS General Membership Meeting & Birthday Party. (The Blues Festival was held the second weekend in October, the KBS Party is held in November.) 

Sylvester Weaver was a Louisvillian who in 1923 made recording history with his "Guitar Blues", the first blues guitar record. His career was short-lived, but his music lives on. He retired as a recording artist in 1927, but the second record that he made, "Guitar Rag", was appropriated by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys in the early 1930s and reincarnated as "Steel Guitar Rag", which has become a country classic.

In 1991 the KBS raised the funds necessary to right a longtime wrong. We put a headstone on the grave of pioneering bluesman and Louisville native Sylvester Weaver. A dedication ceremony took place on Sunday, March 29,1992. The KBS has setup an award, The Sylvester Weaver Award, to honor the memory of a true pioneer in the blues music world and is presented to those who the KBS feels has dedicated their lives to presenting, preserving, and perpetuating the blues. Sylvester’s grave is in the Old Louisville Cemetery and is high on the hill facing Poplar Level Road. Take some time to visit the site and pay tribute to a great blue musician. (From the November 1999 issue of the KBS newsletter "Blues News" - Text and Photos by Paul Schneider)

Sylvester Weaver Award Winners

Please see Keith Clement's article "Weaver Winners" in the Jan 2005 Louisville Music News

• 2009 Jim Masterson - Louisville Artist (LEO Article on Jim by Keith Clements)

• 2008 Joe DeBow - Louisville Artist

• 2007 Sonny Sitgraves - Louisville Artist

• 2006 da Mudcats - Louisville Band members Mike Lynch, Rob Pickett, Gene Wickliffe 

• 2005 John Burgard - Louisville Artist

• 2004 Keith Clements - former President of KBS, Blues Journalist for Louisville Music News, Blues aficionado and historian

• 2003 Sue O'Neil - Louisville Artist

• 2002 Mark Stein - Louisville Artist

• 2001 Scott Mullins -  Louisville Blues Promoter & WFPK DJ

• 2000 Rocky Adcock - Co-Founder of KBS, Musician, advocate of local blues musicians

• 1999  Tanita Gaines - Louisville Artist

• 1998  Joey Lamont Gillispie - Louisville Artist

• 1997  Smoketown Red - Louisville Artist

• 1996  Mary Ann Fisher - Back-up singer to Ray Charles 1950's

• 1995  Fred Murphy - 26th Street Blues Band

• 1994  Perry Aberli - Promotion of the Midwest Blues Fest, South Bend IN

• 1993  Winston Hardy - CD: Mumbo Jumbo

• 1992  Pen Bogert - Oral History Project

• 1991  Foree Wells - CD: It's a New Day Brother (not yet released)

• 1990  Jim Rosen - CD: Let Me Play In Your Big Brick Yard - and FOX 100.5 FM Radio Show

• 1989  Henry Woodruff - House Band at The Pleasure Inn

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Blues Talent Competition

One of the big events KBS sponsors is the annual Blues Talent Competition, which has recently expanded to include Solo/Duo acts and Best Self-Produced CD. Among prizes that include money, gigs and notoriety; the winner has the opportunity to compete in the Blues Foundation's Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Past competition winners are listed on the Contest Information Page

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