David Gogo’s mantel could be getting a lot more crowded.
On Nov. 3 the Toronto Blues Society announced the nominees for the 25th annual Maple Blues Awards and the Nanaimo bluesman is up for three awards for Guitarist, Entertainer and Acoustic Act of the Year. Gogo said he was “quite excited” to hear the news.
“It’s been a long time being locked down as a musician and it’s nice to see things kind of starting to open up again and it made me glad that I was as creative as possible during the lockdown…” he said. “And it’s a nice way to wake up in the morning. Check your e-mail and social media and there it is.”
Gogo is a three-time winner of the Guitarist of the Year Award, but this is the first time he’s being considered for Acoustic Act of the Year. It’s a nomination he shares with Steve Marriner, whom Gogo collaborated with on his most recent album, Silver Cup.
While the instrumental award winners will be selected by the nominating panel, the other categories, including those for Entertainer and Acoustic Act, will be decided by public vote. Gogo said his fans are already having their voices heard.
“I promoted that fact on social media and the response has just been fantastic…” he said. “It’s great that people can be proactive and also just that they can be involved. If they like your music and they want to see you win, they can vote for you.”
However, based on past experience, Gogo knows that just because he’s up for more awards, it doesn’t mean he has better odds.
“I remember the first year I was nominated I was up for one award and I won one award, so that was great. The next year I was up for two awards and I won one of two, so that was great,” Gogo said. “And then the next year I was up for five awards, I was quite excited, but I didn’t win any.”
To register to vote for the Maple Blues Awards, click here. Voting closes Dec. 1. The winners will be announced Jan. 31.
RELATED: David Gogo named guitar player of the year
RELATED: Nanaimo bluesman David Gogo evokes return to good times with new single
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter