Rising star blues vocalist Casey Hensley has been nominated in two categories – “Album of the Year” and “Best Blues Album”, each for her breakout debut release, Good As Gone (Vizztone) – for the 2021 30th Annual San Diego Music Awards, taking place live on Tuesday, August 24, at Humphrey’s By The Bay in San Diego. Tickets to the 2021 San Diego Music Awards go on sale Monday, May 10 at Noon. Info: https://www.sandiegomusicawards.com/. Hensley previously took home “Best Blues Group” at the 2019 SDMA, peforming that evening as well.
“Thank you so much for the nominations,” said an excited Hensley upon learning of her two nominations. “This album is my baby and I’m so happy people are enjoying it!”
The San Diego Music Awards were created in 1991 as a way to recognize the achievements of the city’s diverse local music community. Now in its twenty-ninth year, the San Diego Music Awards presents awards in over twenty categories, recognizing many different genres of music including Rock, Jazz, Hip Hop, Blues, Americana, and World Music. Past SDMA performers include Jewel, Jason Mraz, Switchfoot, P.O.D., and Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek). The San Diego Music Awards serves as the primary fund-raising vehicle for the San Diego Music Foundation’s Guitars for Schools Program.
Currently, Hensley and her terrific band (renowned guitarist Laura Chavez, who herself once performed and recorded with the late, great Candye Kane; and drummer Evan Caleb Yearsley Gutierrez, who’s also Kane’s son) are rehearsing and preparing to hit the road again this Summer. Hensley is also set to go in-studio with Isaiah Mitchell (The Black Crowes, Earthless) to record some new music and a new video.
Once you see Casey Hensley live you’ll never forget her. Her talent and power are taking the music world by storm. Surrounding herself with only the best musicians, and heavily influenced by all of the greats, it’s no wonder she has everyone talking. The Oceanside, Calif-based singer/songwriter and her band are well known for their ability to cross blues sub-genres, including jump, swing, and Chicago blues.
In March of 2020 Hensley released her long-awaited debut album, Good As Gone (Vizztone), where the world got to hear the amazing depth and range of her artistry. Good As Gone is Casey’s first all-original studio album, highlighting Hensley’s jaw-dropping dynamic vocals along with the perfectly simpatico backup of master guitarist, Laura Chavez. Hailed as “Best Blues Act” (2019 San Diego Music Awards) and called a “rising star” by the Los Angeles Times, Casey Hensley is a young woman who does not play by the rules and creates music with 100% heart, paving her own way and laying it all out for the world to hear.
