Guitarist and vocalist Matthew Davidson of Shreveport, La., recently won the 2011 Robert Johnson Blues Foundation New Generation Award.
“It’s an award given out annually to guitarists 12 to 18 years old that helps young kids like myself keep interested in the blues and respect the blues,” the 14-year-old Davidson said, according to the foundation’s official website. “Robert Johnson is one of the greatest blues players. He kind of started it all and paved the way for so many.”
Said Steven Johnson, Robert’s grandson and vice president of the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation: “His style was advanced for his age. It was crisp; it was professional. His style with that electric guitar was amazing. I know Matthew will be a great ambassador for the Foundation”.
In addition, Davidson is the youngest member of the Memphis Chapter and was selected to be the guitarist for the 2011 Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Rock Camp Band.
The week-long camp was held in July at the Kidd Kraddick studio in Irving, Texas, and only four young musicians were selected from a group of over 300 applicants.
Earlier this month, Davidson covered Gretsch signature artist Brian Setzer at the Ellerbe Road Baptist Church’s Jazz Dinner featuring Port City Jazz.
Watch Davidson in action in the video below:
Check out Davidson’s official website for more information.