ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESIDENT BRUCE IGLAUER TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Alligator Records founder and president Bruce Iglauer will receive the Blues Blast Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award at the online publication's annual awards presentation. The ceremony will take place on September 23, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois, at the Fluid Events Center.

In addition to Iglauer's recognition, Alligator artists Toronzo Cannon, Shemekia Copeland, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Tommy Castro and Curtis Salgado are all nominated for 2016 Blues Blast awards.

According to blues scholar Don Wilcock, who will present the award to the label chief, "Bruce Iglauer has expanded the definition of blues. A half a century into this game, Iglauer continues his uncanny ability of presenting vital new artists."

The history of Alligator Records, founded by Iglauer in 1971 for the express purpose of releasing an album by Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, reads like a history of contemporary blues and roots music, with releases from musical giants like Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, Luther Allison and Mavis Staples, and stars on the rise like Shemekia Copeland, Selwyn Birchwood, Jarekus Singleton and Toronzo Cannon.

Today, Alligator Records is the largest independent blues label in the world, and has been repeatedly honored for its achievements. Three Alligator recordings have won Grammy Awards, and 41 titles have been nominated. The label and its artists have received well over 100 Blues Music Awards and more than 70 Living Blues Awards. But even with all of the accolades, Alligator Records never rests on its laurels. According to Iglauer, "Alligator should be the label that's exposing the next generation of blues artists and bringing their music to the next generation of blues fans. I want the future of the blues and the future of Alligator Records to be one and the same. I want to keep bringing blues and roots music to new fans and getting them as excited about the music as I am."

From the early days of recording only Chicago talent, to attracting national and international musicians, to the label's commitment to nurturing the next generation of blues artists, Alligator continues to break new ground. Now, as is clearly proven on the recently released 2CD set, Alligator Records 45^th Anniversary Collection, the label is still dedicated to recording and promoting great talent, confirming that the passion, energy and soul-healing power of Alligator’s music is strong, genuine, and capable of rocking the house with no end in sight.