The awards were originally named in honor of W. C. Handy, "Father of the Blues".
[1] The first award was presented in 1980 and is "universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded musicians and songwriters in blues music".
[3] They are presented annually in Memphis, Tennessee, where the Blues Foundation is located, although the 2008 award ceremony was held in Tunica, Mississippi.
[4] The 39th Blues Music Awards were held on May 10, 2018, at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
[6] The 41st ceremony was scheduled for May 7, 2020, but the live event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.