Nick Moss & The Flip Tops took home award for Best Blues Band last night at the 2009 Blues Blast Awards at a ceremony held at Buddy Guy's Legends club in Chicago.
While Moss' Live at Chan's: Combo Platter No. 2 didn't capture the award for Best Contemporary Blues Recording — the award going instead to The Insomniacs' At Least I'm Not With You — it provides listeners with all the explanation they could ever need for their win in the crowded Best Blues Band category. Moss' Flip Tops edged out multiple-Blues Music Award winning acts like Watermelon Slim as well as Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials and The Mannish Boys.
Among the other winners were veteran guitarist Elvin Bishop, who took the award for Best Male Artist as well as Chris James and Patric Rynn, whose Stop & Think About It won for Best New Artist Debut Recording.
Moss' labelmates Kilborn Alley Blues Band won the Sean Costello Rising Star Award, named for the late Sean Costello, a promising blues talent who passed away in 2008. Kilborn Alley recently wrapped work on their third record, due for release next year.
Here is a complete list of the winners:
Best Contemporary Blues Recording
The Insomniacs – At Least I’m Not With You
Best Traditional Blues Recording
Various Artists – Chicago Blues: A Living History
Best Blues Song
Albert Castiglia – "Bad Year Blues"
Best Blues Band
Nick Moss and The Flip Tops
Best Male Artist
Elvin Bishop
Best Female Artist
Robin Rogers
Best New Artist Debut Recording
Chris James & Patrick Rynn – Stop & Think About It
Sean Costello Rising Star Award
Kilborn Alley Blues Band