POP/ROCK - Nov. 17, 1987

Robert Cray walked off with six awards Sunday at the eighth annual “Handys” blues awards in Memphis, Tenn. Cray won for song of the year, best contemporary American album, top single, best contemporary male artist, best vocalist and best band. John Cephas and Phil Wiggins, a traditional guitar and harmonica duo, were named blues entertainers of the year. Winners of the awards, named after blues pioneer W. C. Handy, are chosen by 2,000 music industry executives, performers and disc jockeys. The awards are presented by the Blues Foundation of Memphis, a nonprofit group that promotes blues music.