My First WC Handy Award
Rory receives her 5th WC Handy Blues Award in 2007!

On May 5th, 1997, after presenting awards at the WC Handy ceremony in Memphis, I went out to my tour bus to relax. "Traditional Blues Female Artist Of The Year" would be announced later in the show, and there was time. I was certain I wasn't going to win, but for me, nomination was honor enough. It's a high point to be among so many legends, like Ruth Brown and the late great Luther Allison (whose recent tragic death came as a total shock). At the awards Luther was vibrant, handsome, and dynamic, taking home practically every award. It's incredibly hard to believe that the man who played in the aisles and brought down the house died shortly thereafter of cancer. (I think this is about the profound energy and commitment that blues artists bring to their music). After a few minutes I went outside to talk to a fan, knowing my categories were way at the end of the first half, when suddenly Bob Vorel came out the back door of the theater and said, "Congratulations!" I said, "For what?" (I had no idea) "You just won!" he said. "Won what?!" I thought.

Also in May of 1997, my 1996 release, "Tornado," won the NAIRD Award (National Association Of Independent Record Distributors), for "Best Adult Contemporary Album Of The Year." Two awards in one month felt just fine to me. I also got inducted into the Capital Area Musician's Association's Hall of Fame, (my home turf), on the same day as the Handy Awards. When I'm not in one of my moods where I think nothing could get worse, I think nothing could be better!