Kenny Neal

Background

Neal preserves the blues sound of his native south Louisiana, as befits someone who learned from Slim Harpo, Buddy Guy, and his father, harmonica player Raful Neal.

Career

In 1987, Neal cut his debut album for the Florida record producer Bob Greenlee — an updated swamp feast initially marketed on King Snake Records as Biology on the Bayou. Alligator Records picked it up the following year, retitling it Big News from Baton Rouge!! In 1991, he proved to be a talented actor in the Broadway production of the folk musical Mule Bone (by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston), singing numbers written by Taj Mahal. In September 2006, Neal announced he was taking a year"s break from recording and performing, due to an undisclosed illness.

He returned to the public eye at the Monterey Blues Festival in June 2007.

Lately, he is touring with Efes Pilsen Blues Festival.

Achievements

• Honors 2011 - Inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame 2005 - Official Statement to Kenny Neal, by the Governor of Louisiana 1993 - Washington, District of Columbia, United States Information Agency Certificate of Appreciation for representing the United States. with Kenny Neal"s Blues Band for tour in Africa Winner 2011 - Jus" Blues Music Foundation Contemporary/Traditional Blues Song Of The Year for "Hooked on Your Love" 2011 - Critic"s Poll Living Blues Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album of the Year 2009 - Monterey Bay Blues (MOBBAY) Artist of the Year Award 2009 - British Medical Association (Blues Music Award) Winner for Song of the Year, "Let Life Flow" 2009 - West Coast Blues Hall of Fame for Blues Civil Defense of the Year "Let Life Flow" and Blues Band of the Year 2009 - Blueswax Album of the Year "Let Life Flow" 2008 - Blues Critic Readers Poll, Blues Album of the Year "Let Life Flow" and also Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year 2008 - Jus" Blues "Junior Wells Harp Award" 2008 - Hometown Video, Entertainment Talk Show 2007 - W.A.V.E. Award, Talk Show-Entertainment/Pro 2005 - W.C. Handy Blues - Acoustic Blues Album 2003 - Slim Harpo Award in Baton Rouge 1994 - Theatre World Award "Outstanding New Talent" on Broadway 1989 - Big Bill Broonzy Award in Paris 1989 - Juris Doctor Miller Award "Outstanding Performance" Nominated 2009 - Grammy entries for Grammy Nominations in 4 categories 1999 - Grammy Nomination for Tribute to Howlin" Wolf "Best Traditional Blues Album".

Membership

Neal has played with blues stars including Lucky Peterson and Lazy Lester, and was at one time a member of The Downchild Blues Band, during a period of relocation to Toronto.