Cowichan Valley’s Brandon Isaak Wins Three 2026 Canadian Blues Music Awards
It has been said that while pop music is aspirin, the blues are vitamins. Cowichan Valley blues man Brandon Isaak is up for a healthy dose of Canadian Blues Music Awards which will be held at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto on March 30.
He has nominations for ‘Songwriting of the Year, ‘Blues Act of the Year’, ‘Producer of the Year’, ‘Guitar Player of the Year’,and ‘Album of the Year’ all for his latest album ‘Walkin’ With The Blues’, which was released in 2025.
Isaak walked away a winner with awards for ‘Blues Song of the Year’, ‘Electic Blues Recording of the Year’, and ‘Blues Guitarist of the Year’.
“It feels amazing to recognized by the highest blues award in our country, and to be nominated among such incredible talent,” said Isaak.
“Having my song ‘Walkin’ With The Blues’ win for ‘Blues Song of the Year’ is such a honour.
I always pride myself on strong lyrics that have something to say, most of the time. In a world where people use AI to write songs,
I pride myself on doing it the way the good Lord intended it, with a feathered quill and a ink well.”
Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, Brandon and his partner Cindy Mae moved from Langley to the Cowichan Valley back in 2022 craving a little less noise and a little more nature.
“The people here are warm and welcoming, and the arts are alive and well here on the island,” said Isaak.
“It’s extremely conducive to making blues records over here, and the pool of top-notch musicians is very healthy.”
This is not the first time that Isaak has received a healthy dose of accolades. He has multiple Maple Blues and Juno nominations under his guitar strap. His latest album ‘Walkin’ With The Blues’ has also received nominations for an American Blues Music Award, which really caught Isaak off guard, as well as a nomination from the Blues Foundation for ‘Best Self Produced Album’, which he received during the 2026 International Blues Challenge in Tennessee.
“We got our fingers crossed,” said Isaak.
“It’s a real honour to be noticed by the American Blues Foundation out of Memphis for 2026 International Blues Album of the Year;
it’s just all so very exciting for us, we are thrilled to be recognized by both our own country, and south of the border.”
It’s an exciting year as a whole, as it’s the first with an all new structuring and re-branding for the long running annual blues awards. Run by The Toronto Blues Society, and formerly called the Maple Blues Awards since 1997, this marks the first year it takes on a new name: The Canadian Blues Music Awards (CBMA).
Isaak, who is thrilled to be one of the performers this year, said it is both an honour and a blast to play in front of all his peers and the who’s who of the national blues scene.
“It’s more like a family reunion or gathering of the tribes and we get a chance to catch up and share some stories and laughs,” said Isaak.
“In these divided times, it’s a heartwarming feeling to get together with like-minded folks, who no matter their religion or political views, all support each other and encourage one another. This is what keeps this small but mighty blues scene strong and hopefully keep growing in Canada.
It’s hard times for this musical art form with venues and festivals disappearing and we need not just the people and fans support, but also each other’s.”
Isaak was in good company while ‘Walkin’ With The Blues’. A highlight was working alongside David Goatley, a world renowned portrait artist from England and his wife Sharon who now live on the island. Goatley offered to paint an album cover for Isaak after the two met during one of his sets at the Duncan Showroom. After hanging out, talking about a concept, and taking photos, Goatley painted the cover that has since been the talk of the town and earning rave reviews by both fans and art critics.
“There are so many aspects and parts of making this record that I loved doing,” said Isaak.
“Just working with some of the best musicians in the country was humbling, and exhilarating.”
Fans will have several chances to see him up close and personal with his Mood Swings for their first live performance at the Duncan Showroom on April 24, and again in Duncan City Square on Canada Day. Isaak will return for a solo performance in Charles Hoey Park on July 14 for 39 Days of July’s Tuesday Blues.
“I always have a message in my songs whether it’s clear or you have to decipher the meaning,” said Isaak.
“I hope people get a good feeling and heal when they listen to my album. I’m currently working on another record and this one has a more current times theme. I always have songs about my baby as that’s a big part of the blues, but I love to dive deeper than that too.”
Credit: Chadd Cawson | Multimedia Journalist | Cowichan Valley Citizen
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