2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
Living Nominees

Carl Henry

Acoustic guitar & slide guitar/vocals.
Carl began his musical journey in the late 1980’s, sitting in with Detroit greats such as Uncle Jesse White, The Buter Twins, Mr. Bo Collins, Rev. Robert Jones and many more in venues such as The Soup Kitchen, The Attic, and many memorable others. He was the winner of the Detroit Challenge in 2004 and 2014, and was a popular performer in the Detroit area for many years including a long run at Bert’s in the Eastern Market. Carl usually worked solo.

Jeff Grand

Acoustic, electric & slide guitar/vocals.
Played with the Butler Twins, Jeff Grand & The Grandmasters, and the Howling Diablos. Recordings include contributions to (CDs): The Butler Twins-The Butler’s Boogie; The Butler Twins Blues Band-Pursue Your Dreams; The Butler Twins-Not Gonna Worry About Tomorrow; Uncle Jessie White & The 29th Street Band; Blues From The Heart (various artists); Cruisin’ Songs from the Motor City (various Artists); Howling Diablos-It’s My Party and (LP) Butler Twins-Live In Detroit, Live at Lou’s (various artists)

Howard Glazer

Guitar/vocals.
Howard majored in guitar at Wayne State University in classical and jazz. Recordings include contributions to (LPs) Gino Carlissi-With Love, Howard Glazer-3-13, Johnny Allen-Desperate Years, Gravity 3-13-Nervous Twitch, various Detroit artists-Strange Baby’s Who Cry Rock; (EP) What If Thinking; (45s) What if Thinking-I Want That Girl, Some Girl-Red-Herring, Time For Good Bye-Red Herring; (CDs) Gravity 3-13-Chicago 1991, Salligrowler, That Jive, Buster Wylie-Me and the Blues, Harmonica Shah-Deep Detroit, Sweet Claudette-Linament & Collard Greens, Sweet Claudette-Ain’t Gonna Wash Your Dirty Clothes, Howard Glazer-Brown Paper Bag, Howard Glazer-Liquor Store Legend.

Reverend Marc Falconberry

Guitar/vocals. Often solo performances.
Recordings include contributions to (CD) “Rev.” Marc Falconberry-irReverend Blues. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame features Marc's posters from his 60's Grande Ballroom performances (Pink Peech Mob, Dutch Elm). Marc earned the title the "Reverend", in recognition of his skillful preaching of the electric blues from his enthusiastic fans. Bringing his blues ministry back to his Detroit turf, the The "Rev." has earned the coveted respect of both local and national blues artists.

Posthumous Nominees

Angela “Angie C” Cottingham

Affectionately known as Angie C, was a celebrated musician and powerhouse vocalist who has left an indelible mark on the Detroit music scene. For over 25 years, she shared the stage with her son, Chris Canas, captivating audiences with her multi-instrumental talents and heartfelt performances. Adedicated board member of the Detroit Blues Society, Angie was a vital advocate for the blues community, fostering connections and supporting emerging talent.

Renowned for her powerful voice and genuine spirit, she was not only a musical force but also a beloved figure among her peers and fans. Her warmth and kindness make everyone feel like family, embodying the true essence of community in music. Whether performing on stage or mentoring aspiring musicians, Angie’s influence resonated deeply within the blues genre and beyond.

William Edward "Little Willie" John

An American R&B singer who performed in the 1950s and early 1960s. He is best known for his successes on the record charts, with songs such as "All Around the World" (1955), "Need Your Love So Bad" (1956), "Talk to Me, Talk to Me" (1958), "Leave My Kitten Alone" (1960), "Sleep" (1960), andhis number-one R&B hit "Fever" (1956). John was born in Cullendale, Arkansas. His family moved to Detroit in the late 1940’s when he was four. The eldest children, including Willie, formed a gospel singing group. Willie also performed in talent shows, which brought him to the notice of Johnny Otis and, later, the musician and producer Henry Glover. After seeing him sing with the Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams orchestra, Glover signed him to a recording contract with King Records in 1955. He was nicknamed "Little Willie" for his short stature.

John's first recording, a version of Titus Turner's "All Around the World", was a hit, reaching number 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. He followed up with a string of R&B hits, including the original version of "Need Your Love So Bad", co-written with his elder brother Mertis John Jr. Another song, "Talk to Me, Talk to Me", recorded in 1958, reached number 5 on the R&B chart and number 20 on the Pop chart. It also sold over one million copies.

2024 Lifetime Achievement
Award Winners

Living (awarded posthumously)

Bugs Beddow

Bugs Beddow was one of Detroit's legendary music artists. Known primarily for his trombone and flute playing, Bugs was also skilled with the harmonica and keyboards.

Bugs performed at prestigious venues like Comerica Park, The Fox Theatre, Joe Louis Arena, The Huntington Place Convention Center, Meadowbrook Amphitheater, and Royal Oak Music Theater. He has also performed at major events and festivals like The Detroit Grand Prix, The Detroit Jazz Festival, Arts Beats & Eats, The Cherry Festival in Traverse City, The Bluewater Festival in Port Huron, The Ypsilanti Blues Festival, and Top of the Park in Ann Arbor.

Bugs began his career back in the sensational Sixties when he took up the trombone at age 9. By the time he reached Groves High School, he had formed his first band called "Smokey Burgundy" that played Psychedelic Rock. He followed that with "The Wellington Jazz Gathering" band that played Pop-Rock. In college at Northern Michigan University, he was a member of the 17-piece Big Band and also the Jazz Band. When the Rock Era of 70s got rolling, Bugs played in a Rock band called "Stash," a Jazz Fusion band called "Ecstacy," a Funk dance band called "Chopper," a Funk-Soul band called "Newt and The Salamanders," a classic Big Band called "The Ralph Harris Big Band," and a Pop Dance band called "Air Condo. He was pretty busy covering a wide palette of music.

Then in 1979, Bugs formed the eponymous "Bugs Beddow Jazz Quintet" and began building a brand for himself. When the 80s Disco Era arrived, Bugs switched gears and formed the Bugs Beddow Band which focused on Fusion Dance Music.

The 90s Hip-Hop Era followed and Bugs decided to switch gears once again to form "The Bugs Beddow Blues Brigade." That gave way to the generic "Bugs Beddow Band" which focused on dance music and lasted until 2014 when Bugs formed his final iteration, "Bugs Beddow and The Good Stuff Band" which played Blues, Rock, R&B, Jazz, and Soul.

Over the course of the past 10 years, Bugs and his band have received over 50 nominations and earned more than 30 coveted honors at the prestigious Detroit Music Awards. It was a remarkable career for a remarkable music artist and band leader.

Posthumous

Johnny Yard Dog Jones

Born June 21, 1941, died September 15, 2015, age 74. Guitarist, vocalist, harp player, songwriter. W.C. Handy Award winner, Best New Blues Artist (1998), debut LP "Ain't Gonna Worry" was Living Blues magazine's Best New Blues Album (1996).

Born John Junia Jones, Jr., in Arkansas, raised in East St. Louis, moved to Chicago 1959, moved to Detroit in 1971. Jones stated that he took harmonica lessons from Little Walter. Played with noted Detroit-based artists Bobo Jenkins, the Butler Twins, Baby Boy Warren, Little Junior Cannaday, Little Mack Collins and Detroit Junior. Jones was a founding member of the Detroit Blues Club. Jones died in Decatur, Illinois.

Well into his music career, Jones released "Ain't Gonna Worry" on Earwig at age 55. Additional recordings include contributions to "Blues at Midnight-Live at the Attic" (various artists), "Uncut Detroit: Live Blues in the Night" (various Artists), and "Detroit Blues Factory Vol. 1" (various artists).

2020 Detroit Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Awards
Living - Bettye LaVette
Posthumous - Dr. Isiah Ross "The Harmonica Boss"

2019 Detroit Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Awards
Living - Lester "HamBone" Brown
Posthumous - Paul Carey

2018 Detroit Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Awards
Living & Posthumous - The Alligators

2017 Detroit Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Awards
Living - Muruga Booker
Posthumous - William Paden Hensley "Washboard Willie"

2016 Detroit Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Awards
Living - Cathy Davis
Posthumous - Alford Odsie Harrell, Sr. "Chicago Pete"