The Ottawa Blues Society Blues Heart Award is presented annually to an individual or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to fostering appreciation and awareness of blues music.

On Friday, September 24, during the Ottawa Blues Society Road to Memphis Band finals, the Blues Heart Award for 2010 was presented to James Doran. The organizer of the successful Blues on the Rideau dinner & show series set out, in his own words, "to bring some of Canada's best Blues artists into a friendly, intimate setting -- Westport's funky, historic Cove Inn, which has only 120 seats and is perfect -- small venues are always where blues is heard best; to give everyone a great meal and a great Show at a reasonable price; and to raise money for worthy local charities and organizations".

To date these shows, featuring great and mostly Canadian blues musicians have raised over $28,000 for a large number of community organizations. And we can't even begin to count the number of new fans James has brought to Blues. Another Blues on the Rideau series is about to get underway, with a stellar roster of Canadian blues talent (www.choosetheblues.ca) Thanks, James, for your commitment to the music we all love!