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1998 Maple Blues Awards Nominations

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This year's Maple Blues Awards nominations were made by a distinguished panel of blues disc jockeys and journalists from across the country. Submissions were returned anonymously to Porter Hétu International, an independent accounting firm who will also be receiving and tabulating ballots that will be sent to 500 TBS members plus a national jury pool of 100 blues experts. Winners will be announced at the Maple Blues Awards presentations on Monday, February 8, 1999, at Whistler's McNeil Room in Toronto. Call the TBS office for ticket information, 416-538-3885.

The Nominees Are:

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR
Ray Bonneville
Rick Fines
Ken Hamm
Big Dave McLean
Tim Williams

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR
Downchild Blues Band
Stephen Barry Band
Fathead
Colin James and the Little Big Band
Rockin' Highliners

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jim Byrnes
Colin James
Don Johnson
John Mays
Robert Tycholis

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Robin Banks
Rita Chiarelli
Georgette Fry
Theresa Malenfant
Dawn Tyler Watson

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Guy
B.B. King
Keb 'Mo'
Duke Robillard
Kim Wilson

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Andrew Galloway
Colin James
Colin Linden
Ken Whiteley

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Trevor Finlay Band
Steve Hill
Jake and the Blue Midnights
Dawn Tyler Watson
Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm

GUITARIST OF THE YEAR
John Campbelljohn
Tony D.
Morgan Davis
Colin James
Teddy Leonard
Colin Linden

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dave "Hurricane" Hoerl
Rick Jefferey
Carlos del Junco
Al Lerman
Michael Pickett

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Curley Bridges
Vann "Piano Man" Walls
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Eric Webster
Tyler Yarema

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Pat Carey
Johnny Ferreira
Jody Golick
Al Lerman
Chris Whiteley

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Bucky Berger
Maureen Brown
John McColgan
Ken McMahon
Chris Norquist

BASSIST OF THE YEAR
Stephen Barry
Victor Bateman
Ryan Menard
Jon Penner
Bob "Omar" Tunnoch
Terry Wilkins

SOCAN SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Ray Bonneville
John Campbelljohn
Rick Fines
Colin Linden
Michael Pickett

RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Fathead: Blues Weather (Electro-fi)
Ken Hamm: Galvanized! (Independent)
Colin James: Colin James and the Little Big Band 2 (WEA)
Rockin' Highliners: What Were You Thinking? (Square Dog)
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne: Blues Boss Boogie (Real Blues)

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Long John Baldry
Fathead
Colin James
Rockin' Highliners
Vann "Piano Man" Walls

To view last year's nominations click here. For last year's winners, click here.