Robin Rogers was announced as the winner of the 2011 Blues Blast Music Award for “Female Blues Artist of the Year” at the annual ceremony at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago on October 27th.  Winners were chosen by more than 6,500 Blues Blast Magazine readers voting online. She had previously won the same “Female Blues Artist” Blues Blast Music Award in 2009.

It was the second posthumous award for the talented singer, who passed away from liver cancer last December at the age of 55.  In May she was named the winner of the prestigious Blues Music Award for “Contemporary Blues Female of the Year” at the Blues Foundation’s awards ceremony in Memphis.

The Blues Blast Music Award was accepted by Tony Rogers, her husband and musical partner.  During the Chicago event Tony, accompanied by singer Sharrie Williams and harp player Bob Corritore, performed two of Robin’s songs – the poignant “The Plan” and “Don’t Walk Away,” which was Blues Blast Award nominee for “Song of the  Year.”

Afterwards Tony said, “First of all I would like to thank all the people who voted for Robin for the Blues Blast Award. Also, I would like to thank Bob Kieser and everyone from Blues Blast Magazine. Everyone at Blind Pig Records. I am very grateful for Sharrie and Bob who performed Robin’s songs along with me to help honor her at the awards show. Last but not least, I would like to thank everyone for their love and support over the last year.”

Robin was taken sick and diagnosed with cancer shortly before the release of her highly acclaimed Back In The Fire album, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Living Blues called the CD “Robin Rogers at her vocal best.  She bends her voice the way Buddy Guy  bends a guitar string-squeezing out every last drop of passion.” The Chicago Blues Guide added, “She belongs to a certain  cadre of singers. Like Janis, like Judy, like Billie, she holds nothing back – she pours her soul, heart and guts into her singing.”