MEDIA
Top photographer with a unique passion for Blues, he has always loved music especially blues music.
From a very young age he has been interested in photography and, at some point, photography and music began to go hand in hand for him, so he became a concert photographer.
Very active for decades, he has attended countless concerts with his camera on large and small stages in Denmark, Europe and USA working in several Blues Magazines like Dannish Blues News.
For him there is a story behind every picture: intense moments, major stars or young emerging talents and each photograph is equally interesting and has its own justification.
For their tireless work to spread the blues around the world with his amazing photos, the Winner in MEDIA category is FRANK NIELSEN from Denmark
PRODUCTION
Big D Bookings is specialized in Blues bands!
They book tours, venues, festivals and club nights while working closely with Naked Label where he’s also responsible for promoting new albums for radio airplay and building up and accelerating artist careers.
They are a young but trusted agency. In a few years’ time they have built up a great network of Clubs and Festivals where blues musician can play and that is still growing.
They already worked with some of the biggest blues festivals in Europe from Notodden Blues Festival in Norway to Cahors Blues Festival in France, Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland, Swing Wespelaar in Belgium, Blues In Hell in Norway, Blues Alive on Czeck Republic, Freiburg Festival in Germany, Santa Maria Blues Festival Portugal, to mention a few of them and always to everybody’s satisfaction.
As frontman and singer of The BluesBones he’s playing clubs and festivals all over Europe. So, he’s experienced in knowing what a band and Promotors need.
For the continuous and professional work to book tours, promote blues bands all over Europe and play blues in venues and festivals, the Winner in PRODUCTION category is Mr. NICO DE COCK, owner of BIG D BOOKINGS in Belgium.
PROMOTION
Notodden Blues Festival is one of the oldest blues festivals in Europe (established in 1988) and the eldest one in Norway. They will have the 41st edition in 2026 and, besides presenting all styles of blues, soul, R&B and the history of blues, they also have big success with Little Steven’s Blues School. This platform for young blues students is indispensable for the blues future. The festival also gives blues study classes at the university.
Notodden drags audiences from all over the world for the first week of August every year. A super important place to visit to enjoy good music in good company. The winner is the head of the board of an organization that engages more than 600 volunteers, and he has been in the Notodden Blues Festival system for decades.
For his enthusiastic and determined work over the years and his amazing contribution to the growth of Notodden Blues Festival, the winner in PROMOTION category is Mr. RUNAR LIA, board member of Notodden Blues Festival.