By Janice Malone
NASHVILLE, TN — The red carpet was lengthy and glowing brightly at the War Memorial Auditorium last weekend, during the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), Fifth Annual Legends Gala. NMAAM is a cultural museum dedicated to the historical contributions of African American recording artists, executives and music pioneers who. Honorees and recipients received the ‘Rhapsody & Rhythm’ award for their talents to American music culture and to acknowledge how their works have impacted and entertained fans across several general generations. The NMAAM museum is set to open in 2019. This will be the only museum in the country that’s exclusively dedicated to educating, preserving and celebrating the influence African Americans have had on music, using artifacts, artists and stories.
This year’s honorees include: 11-time Grammy nominee and platinum artist Charlie “Uncle Charlie” Wilson, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Nile Rodgers, Grammy Award-winner and pioneering gospel artist Yolanda Adams, television producer and Billboard’s “TV’s Top Music Power Players” honoree Mona Scott–Young and Grammy Award-winning blues artist Keb’ Mo’. Previous honorees have included Grammy Hall of Fame artist Patti LaBelle and gospel music legend Kirk Franklin.
The evening featured several tribute performances from music luminaries such as Grammy award-winner Anthony Hamilton, international pop sensation and Sister Sledge lead singer Kathy Sledge and singer, songwriter and pianist Avery*Sunshine.
Henry Beecher Hicks III is the president and CEO of NMAAM. June is officially Black Music Month, and on June 14, 2018, Mr. Beecher, along Music City Greats Shannon Sanders and music duo sensation Louis York, will all be honored during the event “The Comeback “In the Mix” a critically-acclaimed musical showcase and awards ceremony that is dedicated to preserving the legacies of Nashville’s soul music artists. The event will take place at Events@1923 1923 Church Street, Nashville, TN. 5:45pm – 6:45pm VIP Reception. 7 pm – 9 pm Showtime. www.IM3Media.com
