The Blues Foundation has announced the inductees for the Blues Hall of Fame in 2009, including "Soul Queen of New Orleans" Irma Thomas and multiple Grammy Award winner Taj Mahal, as well as late Chicago Bluesman Son Seals and the Reverend Gary Davis.

Austin club owner Clifford Antone, discographer Mike Leadbitter, and author Bob Porter will be the non-performers inducted this year. The book I Hear You Knockin' by Jeff Hannusch was selected as a Classics of Blues Literature. The induction ceremony will be held at The Blues Foundation's Charter Member Dinner on Wednesday, May 6, at the Memphis Marriott Downtown in Memphis, Tennessee, the night before the 30th Blues Music Awards. Taj Mahal and Irma Thomas will both attend the private induction ceremony.

The following singles or album tracks will be inducted during the ceremony: "Boom Boom" by John Lee Hooker, "Caldonia" by Louis Jordan, and "Sitting on Top of the World" by the Mississippi Sheiks. These albums were also chosen for induction: Amtrak Blues by Alberta Hunter, T-Bone Blues by T-Bone Walker, and the 2-CD set Blues With a Feeling (Newport Folk Festival Classics) by various artists.

Classics of Blues Recordings - Albums
Amtrak Blues (Columbia, 1978) - Alberta Hunter
T-Bone Blues (Atlantic, 1959) - T-Bone Walker
Blues With a Feeling Newport Folk Festival Classics (Vanguard 2-CD set, 1993) - Various Artists

Classics of Blues Recordings - Literature
I Hear You Knockin’ – Jeff Hannusch

Classics of Blues Recordings - Singles or Album Tracks
“Boom Boom” - John Lee Hooker (Vee-Jay, 1961)
“Caldonia” - Louis Jordan (Decca, 1945)
“Sitting on Top of the World” - Mississippi Sheiks (Okeh, 1930)

Non-Performer
Clifford Antone
Mike Leadbitter
Bob Porter

Performer
Reverend Gary Davis
Taj Mahal
Irma Thomas
Son Seals

For more information on the Blues Hall of Fame and the Blues Music Awards, go to blues.org.