The 22nd annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards presents highlights from the national award ceremony honoring the best in the Blues. and was taped at the Orpheum Theatre, Beale and Main Streets in Memphis, TN, May 24, 2001. Hosted by New Orleans' musical icon and three-time Grammy-award winner, Dr. John a.k.a. Mac Rebennack, the program features performances by some of the Blues' most respected artists, including Taj Mahal & the Phantom Blues Band; Chicago treasure Eddy The Chief Clearwater; Clarence Gatemouth Brown, one of the giants of Texas Blues; Kim Wilson, former frontman for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, teamed with the surviving members of the Jelly Roll Kings, Big Jack Johnson & drummer Sam Carr; Bobby Rush, popular for his soulful songs full of everyday heartache and bawdy humor, with Greg Martin of the Kentucky Headhunters, and Corey Harris with Henry Butler, two of the most eclectic and vital performers in the Blues today, doing a number from their album, VuDu Menz. The 2001 program will also include a tribute to legendary Blues Hall of Fame inductees: Etta James, Junior Parker, & Rufus Thomas.