W. C. Handy

William Christopher Handy (November 16, 1873 - March 28, 1958) was an African American blues composer, often known as "The Father of the Blues".

Awards, festivals and memorials

• The W. C. Handy Award was the most prestigious award for blues artists. It was renamed "The Blues Music Awards." for 2006.
• The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in the Shoals area of Florence, Alabama. Previous week long festivals have featured jazz and blues legends including Jimmy Smith, Ramsey Lewis, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Blue Bland, Diane Schuur, Billy Taylor, Dianne Reeves and Charlie Byrd.
• W. C. Handy Park is a city park located on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. The park contains a life-sized bronze statue of Handy.