The awards were formerly known as the W. C. Handy Awards (or "The Handys") but were renamed in 2006 in an effort to increase public appreciation of the significance of the awards.
Penghargaan tersebut dulunya dikenal sebagai W. C. Handy Awards (atau "The Handys") namun berganti nama pada 2006 dalam upaya meningkatkan apresiasi masyarakat terhadap signifikansi penghargaan tersebut.