Mark Lemhouse Album "Big Lonesome Radio" Nominated for Two W.C. Handy Awards

"Big Lonesome Radio", the debut album by roots blues guitarist Mark Lemhouse, has been nominated for two W.C. Handy Awards.

(PRWEB) January 15, 2004 --"Big Lonesome Radio", the debut album by roots blues guitarist Mark Lemhouse, has been nominated for W.C. Handy Awards in "Acoustic Blues Album of the Year" and "Best New Artist Debut" categories.

Often referred to as the "Blues GRAMMY®," the Handy Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. The Handys have been presented in ceremonies since 1980 to celebrate excellence in recording and performance during the previous year.

"Mark is staggered by the honor of being recognized by dual Handy award nominations," said Michael Powers, president of Yellow Dog Records. "We're thrilled at the fantastic reception the album has enjoyed from radio, press, and other members of the nominating committee."

"Big Lonesome Radio" was nationally released by Yellow Dog Records in March 2003 to international acclaim in major publications including Blues Revue, who proclaimed that the album "should give blues lovers hope for the future of the genre," MOJO Magazine, Sing Out!, and Blues Matters!. Currently, Lemhouse is one of eight "rising young blues acts" profiled with a two-page article in the Feb/March issue of Blues Revue. The release has also enjoyed strong airplay on nearly 150 stations nationwide, charting on the Living Blues radio chart and Roots Music Report Blues chart. The album is distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution.

A track from "Big Lonesome Radio" was included on "Get The Blues 2", a CD sampler released in July 2003 by the Blues Music Association and The National Association of Recording Merchandisers. The selected track, "Electra 225," appeared alongside tracks from blues legends Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Koko Taylor, as well as some of the most well-known contemporary blues artists, including Marcia Ball, Ronnie Earl, and Kim Wilson - each of whom share with Lemhouse the distinction of being 2004 Handy nominees.

About Yellow Dog Records
Based in Memphis, TN, Yellow Dog Records was founded in 2002 with the goal of cultivating the American musical heritage. The label features artists who emphasize innovative approaches to authentic American musical roots traditions - Blues, Jazz, Soul, old-time Country, and Appalachian styles. By providing support for recording, production, promotion and distribution, Yellow Dog Records brings this vital music to new and wider audiences. For more information and to hear sound samples, please visit www.yellowdogrecords.com.