Big Walter & Shirley Smith Photo © 1998 by Karl Bremer. All rights reserved |
Smith accepted the handsome etched-glass award at the Hall of Fame's 10th annual induction ceremony and banquet in New Ulm. Minneapolis' "Big Man of the Blues," a fixture on the Upper Midwest's blues scene for the past 25 years, was dressed to the nines in a sharp black tux with a rose in one lapel and his trademark diamond-studded star pin on the other. He was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife, Shirley, past and present members of his band, the Groove Merchants, family members and friends.
There's hardly a Minnesota music award that hasn't been bestowed on Big Walter Smith both individually and with his band: Minnesota Blues Society Hall of Fame (first inductee), Twin Cities Blues News Best Blues Band (1997), Minnesota Blues Society Horn Band (1995), Minnesota Blues Society Male Vocalist (1989), Minnesota Black Music Award R&B Horn Band (1988, 1987), Minnesota Blues Society Recognition Award (1988), Minnesota Black Music Award Male Vocalist (1987, 1986, 1984, 1983). He was featured in Living Blues magazine in 1997.
Big Walter Smith Photo © 1998 by Karl Bremer All rights reserved |
This review is copyright © 1998 by Karl Bremer, all rights reserved.
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Copyright 1997, 1998 by Ray M. Stiles
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