Paul started on Radio Two 25 years ago and is still the No 1 Blues show listened to by thousands of blues enthusiasts as well as blues musicians every Monday evening at 7.00pm.
The Nottingham Blues Society decided to honour the show with induction to the ‘Hall of Fame’ basically to let some other blues programme have a chance of recognition in the competitive world of the blues air waves.
Voted bass player of the year in 2010, 2011 & 2012, Andy has been bassist for The Ian Siegal Band (2010 BBA Best Blues Band) since the mid-90s, working across Europe & in the Caribbean and playing on 'Broadside' (Mojo Magazine's 2009 Blues Album of the year). He has previously worked with other artists such as Imogen Heap, Phil Guy and Sugar Blue amongst others and now also plays for The Motives feat. Matt Taylor.
British guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer Matt Schofield is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive and innovative guitarists to have emerged on the world scene for several generations. He is rated in the top ten British blues guitarists of all time (Guitar & Bass Magazine) putting him in the company of such iconic names as Eric Clapton and Peter Green. In his relatively short solo career Schofield’s prowess as a blues guitarist has taken his band to twelve countries; seen him playing with iconic guitarists like Buddy Guy and Robben Ford; and brought him high praise in the Penguin Book of Blues Recordings as one of only two living British artists in recording history to gain a maximum four-star rating.
The ‘Blues Hall of Fame’ is the latest honour Paul Jones has received this came about as Paul yet again scooped most votes in the ‘Harmonica’ category at this year’s British Blues Awards.
Copyright British Blues Awards, all rights reserved 2015
The British Blues Awards Hall of Fame is the highest honour we can give to the undisputed winners who have won a category for three consecutive years. Without a doubt, these worthy winners are the people's favourites as the past 3 years have shown.
In order to prevent an over dominance by any act in any of the categories, three times winners are inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall of Fame,which means that they are excluded from future polls in that category.
Congratulations to the following recipients.
The Paul Jones Rhythm and Blues Show
Matt Schofield
Andy Graham
Paul Jones
Joe Bonamassa has won the ‘Overseas Artist Award’ three consecutive years by a vast margin of votes, this automatically puts him into the ‘Hall of Fame’ which is only right as JB has proved on many occasions what a fantastic guitarist he is.
Bonamassa has collaborated with numerous artists, including B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Beth Hart, Paul Rodgers, Leslie West, Jon Lord, Vince Gill, Sandi Thom and Glenn Hughes. He also plays with Hughes in Black Country Communion, along with Jason Bonham and Derek Sherinian.
Joe Bonamassa
Ian Siegal
He has been described by Classic Rock Magazine as “A National Treasure.” and Mojo as “One of the most innovative, gifted and engaging blues performers on the planet today.”.
It's no surprise that Ian Siegal has made it into the Hall Of Fame with three consecutive Male Vocalist Awards.
It has been said that had Siegal been around in the sixties he would today be accorded the same reverence as artists such as Van Morrison and Joe Cocker.
Hebden Bridge
King King
Set up by friends Jason Elliott and Paddy Maguire as "a bit of fun" in 2011, with the 4th and final event in 2014, the Hebden Bridge Blues Festival made a massive impression in a very short space of time, creating a close knit "family" of Blues fans and winning back to back BBAs in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Much of the credit should go to the members of the Blues Police who told the organisers beforehand "This is how it should be. Everyone does it this way," motivating them to completely ignore this advice and start a process of innovation that has influenced Blues festival organisers ever since.
A week before the 2014 event, with 53 acts booked, the "family" volunteers primed and visitors coming in from around the globe, Jason and Paddy made the shock announcement that this would be the last HBBF as they now wanted to work on other projects, ensuring the festival's permanent place in British Blues history.
King King consistently play driving Blues that rocks, the sound is instantly recognisable with Alan Nimmo’s guitar and vocals up front. With his trade mark kilt Alan really stands out in the crowd giving the band identity though King King need no gimmicks. It is the dynamic musicianship, bolstered by lyrics that are heartfelt and raw that wins the bands awards, plaudits and fans that adore the music and to them it is a Class Act. King King are a complete unit with an award winning rhythm section that drives the heavy blues along courtesy of drummer Wayne Proctor and Lindsay Coulson on Bass and adding into the mix of tones is Dutchman Bob and his Hammond. With three awards as the band they may be in the Hall Of Fame but the music just gets better and better they will always entertain.
Liz Aiken