The Blues Foundation has announced that it will welcome Aretha Franklin, Booker T. & the MG's, Count Basie, Ida Cox, Pee Wee Crayton, and record executive Moses Asch into the Blues Hall of Fame during the 40th annual induction ceremony on May 8.

The ceremony will be held at the Halloran Centre for the Performing Arts and Education in Memphis and will also induct recordings by Ray Charles, Elmore James, B.B. King, Bessie Smith, and Muddy Waters.

The Blues Foundation also selects a book for its Classics of Blues Literature. This year's selection is Lost Delta Found, a study of recently uncovered records from some of Alan Lomax's musical field trips in the early 1940s.

The Blues Foundation and its Blues Hall of Fame Museum operate year-round to protect the blues' musical heritage. Visit their website for more information about the inductions on May 8.

H.E.R. Honors Aretha Franklin With A Spare, Soulful Cover Of "I Say A Little Prayer"