The Washington Blues Society’s annual Best of the Blues Awards (“BB Awards”) returns on Sunday, April 23rd to honor musicians, artists, events, and venues nominated by Washington Blues Society members in 30 award categories. The 2023 BB Awards will feature live performances by select nominees and an all-star cast of presenters from around the region at Aurora Borealis in Shoreline. KNKX's own All Blues host John Kessler has been nominated for Best Blues D.J.

The nominees are chosen by Washington Blues Society members and are among the best blues performers from throughout the Pacific Northwest. The field represents the work of several successful fan campaigns, high visibility acts, new sensations and long-established favorites who deserve recognition for their steadfast determination and accomplishments.

Nominees include multi award winners The Stacy Jones Band, along with prior International Blues Challenge champions Kevin Andrew Sutton, and Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons, as well Lonesome & Pine and Eric’s Maine Connection, acts who represented Washington State in the at the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. First-time nominees for Best Band include McPage and Powell and Seattle’s The Davanos. Other performers new to the BB Awards are Crushed Velvet, Joel Astley Band, Whitewing, and more. Many acts have multiple award nominees in their ranks, and the events and venues categories represent a cross section of our region’s music community.

The ceremony will also induct performers into the Washington Blues Society Blues Hall of Fame, and present several prestigious awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement, Keeping the Blues Alive, and Blue to the Bone Awards.