Slim Harpo Music Awards Announces 2016 Winners

The Slim Harpo Music Awards has revealed the recipients of this year’s honors. Founded in 2003, the awards ceremony is named for Baton Rouge native James Moore (aka Slim Harpo), a pioneering blues artist who influence continues to be far-reaching.

Three accolades are given out annually: the Legends Award (one who has credits of historical blues music status), the Pioneer Award (one who represents the blues genre’ to other music lovers) and the Ambassador Award (one who has endured and carried blues music forward).

The 2016 Legend Award will go to Lafayette zydeco/blues master Lil’ Buck Sinegal, while the Pioneer Award will be given to singer/saxophonist/harmonica player Paula Rangell, who fronts the New Orleans-based band Paula & The Pontiacs. Record executive, producer, songwriter and musician Scott Billington will receive this year’s Ambassador Award. Billington also took home Lifetime Achievement in Music Business honors at the 2011 Best of the Beat Awards.

The Slim Harpo Music Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 23 at the Varsity Theater in Baton Rouge. The event will include a jam session, which will follow the awards presentations.