The Blues Foundation has announced the inductees for the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010, including Louisiana-born, Chicago-based bluesman Lonnie Brooks, blues singer and harpist Charlie Musselwhite and singer, songwriter, guitarist and social activist Bonnie Raitt.

Among the other individuals that are being recognized by the Foundation this year include “The Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy, jug band pioneer Gus Cannon and Cannon’s Jug Stompers, and the writer of many great “drinking songs,” including “One Scotch, One Whiskey, One Beer,” Amos Milburn.

American roots music writer Peter Guralnick and the legendary host of the King Biscuit Time program on KFFA radio in Helena, Arkansas Sonny Payne, are the non-performers being inducted this year. Sam Charters’ groundbreaking research on the blues in the 1950s and ’60s resulted in several books including this year’s Classics of Blues Literature inductee – The Bluesmen.

The following singles or album tracks will be inducted during the ceremony: “All Your Love (I Miss Loving)” by Otis Rush, “Fever” by Little Willie John, “Key to the Highway” by Big Bill Broonzy, “Match Box Blues” by Blind Lemon Jefferson and “Spoonful” by Howlin’ Wolf.  These albums are also being honored: Strong Persuader by Robert Cray, Hung Down Head by Lowell Fulson and I Hear Some Blues Downstairs by Fenton Robinson.

The induction ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 5, at the Memphis Marriott Downtown in Memphis, Tennessee, the night before the 31st Blues Music Awards. Plans are underway now individually honor each of the inductees that night.

The Hall of Fame committee, consisting of scholars, record producers, radio programmers, and historians, is chaired by Jim O’Neal, founding editor of Living Blues.

On May 6, the night after the Blues Hall of Fame inductions, The Blues Foundation will present the Blues Music Awards for the 31st time. Performers, industry representatives, and fans from around the world will celebrate the best in Blues recording, songwriting and performance from the previous year at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis.

The presenting sponsors are The Gibson Foundation and BMI. ArtsMemphis, bandVillage, Casey Family Programs, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx, I 55 Productions, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Tennessee Arts Commission and Vividpix and Design also sponsor the Blues Music Awards.

For more info about the event or the Blues Hall of Fame, check out: www.blues.org