I think it was inevitable that eventually Ian Siegal was going to win the Male Vocalist award, Ian has been turning in stunning performances all over Europe and the UK for many years now, and he has certainly earned this award. Congratulations Ian.

Joanne Shaw Taylor has again taken the Female Vocalist award for the second year running. As well as a Britsh Favourite Joanne tours extensively in the USA. Whenever she plays the UK it is usually to near sell out gigs. Congratulations Joanne.

Paul Jones was amazed to win the Harmonica player award in 2010, so this year he should be expecting to be in the top three again, but yet again Paul has more votes than his nearest rivals and thoroughly deserves this award. Well done Paul.

The Oli Brown
Band

Matt Schofield has again proved to be the leading blues guitarist in Britain, taking the votes from a very strong list of nominated guitarists. Congratulations Matt Blues Guitarist 2011.

The lovely Andy Graham everyone appears to like this guy and why not he is a nice guy as well as a brilliant bass player, still playing in The Ian Siegal Band but has found time to play in Matt Taylors motives, a very busy man. Congratulations Andy.

Known by most blues bands as the drummers drummer Wayne has played with lots of the top blues men in his time, Aynsley Lister, Jon Amor, to name only a couple, now he is playing with the hugely popular Oli Brown Band I can see Wayne making this award his own.

Another British Bluesman winning their category for the second year running, keyboard wizard Jonny has been sideman to Matt Schofield travelling Europe and the US with the band, Well deserved.

One has only to see Son Henry live to know how he managed to win this award for the second year, a true master of the lap steel guitar and a really nice guy, well done Son.

First time award winner Chantel who is one of the bright lights on the British Blues scene, stunning crowds with the wielding of her ‘strat’, like any seasoned pro and at times singing like an angel, will be on the British Blues Scene for a long time. Certainly one to watch for bigger and better things.

‘Heads I Win, Tails You Lose’ is the worthy winner of British Blues Album of the Year, produced by the legendary Mike Vernon, Oli found all the right guitar sounds and tones to produce an album of quality great vocals, great songs and great guitar riffs throughout.

This award really has gone to the committee of the festival who have worked very hard over the last few years to keep the festival alive, congratulations and long may you run the festival.

Joe Bonamassa has picked up Overseas Artist again, when you think who could have won this award it is really amazing, in just over six years Joe has gone from playing pubs to playing the best and biggest venues we have in Britain. Well done Joe.

Really I think everyone knew as soon as this category was introduced that the national radio blues programme from Radio Two was the firm favourite and that is the way it turned out. Well deserved Paul.