Johnny Copeland inducted
into the Blues Hall of Fame

My family and I are so excited about my daddy being inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame! A big thanks to the Blues Foundation!

— By Shemekia Copeland.

Shemekia and her dad, Johnny Clyde Copeland © Family Archive

The Blues Foundation announced this year’s inductees for the Blues Hall of Fame, including Texas guitarist and singer Johnny Copeland, Shemekia Copeland’s father.

“Six performers, one album, five singles, one book and one magazine founder will be inducted at the Blues Foundation’s 38th Annual Induction Ceremony on May 10, 2017

The Blues Foundation welcomes the 38th class of Blues Hall of Fame inductees in a ceremony taking place on May 10, 2017. This year’s 14 richly deserving honorees represent all five of the Hall of Fame’s categories: Performers, Non-Performing Individuals, Classics of Blues Literature, Classics of Blues Recording (Song) and Classics of Blues Recording (Album).

The six performers chosen for induction include two distinctive vocalists, Mavis Staples and Latimore; a pair of legendary guitarists, Magic Slim and Johnny Copeland along with longtime Howlin’ Wolf sidemen guitarist Willie Johnson; and piano-man Henry Gray. They will join the more than 125 performers who already are Hall of Fame members. […]

Johnny Copeland (1937-1997) was one of a bevy of blazing guitar slingers to emerge from the vibrant Third Ward of Houston, Texas, and one of the city’s most powerful singers as well. Establishing himself with a series of blues and soul singles beginning in 1958, he attained national prominence in the 1980s recording blues albums for Rounder Records. His daughter Shemekia has followed in his footsteps by winning multiple Blues Music Awards.”

Read the full press release on The Blues Foundation.