Best Blues Drummer 2023

Kenny Beedy Eyes Smith is a nominee for the 2023 Blues Music Awards. Muddy Waters and his friends, including his father, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, surrounded Kenny at a young age, demonstrating the true meaning of blues music (1936-2011). These same blues icons influenced him as a person and drummer, and later in life, he was asked to provide his famous backbeat on some of the world’s largest and most respected stages and recordings. Kenny’s authentic and modern versatile drumming skills have impressed several music labels on which he has appeared. He brings new and innovative drumming techniques to the forefront while keeping blues traditions alive. Kenny is honored to know and has performed with so many of the blues’ greatest legends and friends: Honeyboy Edwards, Homesick James, Pinetop Perkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Buddy Guy, Billy Boy Arnold, Hubert Sumlin, Dave & Louis Myers the original Little Walter Aces and many more.

The Blues Music Awards bring together Blues musicians and music lovers worldwide to honor the year’s best Blues artists and performers.

The Blues Music Awards (BMAs) are widely regarded as one of the highest honors bestowed upon blues musicians, and a vote of Blues Foundation members decides them.