PHILADELPHIA, PA (Rhythm & Blues Foundation) - A stellar list of presenters has been announced for the 2006 R&B Foundation Pioneer Awards, according to Kayte Connelly, Executive
Director of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. The Fourteenth Pioneer Awards are scheduled for June 29, 2006 at the Park Hyatt Bellevue in Philadelphia, PA.
Confirmed presenters (listed alphabetically) include legendary performer/ songwriters Ashford & Simpson; the "Iceman" Jerry Butler, Chairman Emeritus of the R&B Foundation; producer/songwriters Gamble & Huff who are credited with being the architects of the Philadelphia Sound; promoter and COO of Electric Factory Concerts Larry Magid; award-winning guitarist/singer and R&B Foundation Board Member, Bonnie Raitt; and renowned keyboardist, band leader and R&B Foundation Advisory Board Member, Paul Shaffer. Smokey Robinson and Patti LaBelle were previously announced as hosts.
"This year's Pioneer Awards promises to be exceptional in every way. We are looking forward to a spectacular event that will firmly establish the R&B Foundation's identity in our new home city, Philadelphia, and re-confirm Philly's place in musical history as the 'Home for Rhythm & Blues,'" Connelly stated.
Previously announced individual honorees for the 2006 Pioneer Awards are Chubby Checker, Bettye LaVette, Barbara Mason and producer Thom Bell. Groups who will be receiving the awards are the DelFonics and Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly. Lifetime Achievement honoree is Motown Founder Berry Gordy and the late Otis Redding will be recognized with the Legacy Tribute. Each individual honoree receives a $10,000 honorarium while groups share a $15,000 stipend.
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation is an independent non-profit service organization with a worldwide reputation for meeting the needs of former rhythm and blues artists. Officially established in 1988, the mission of the R&B Foundation is to foster public recognition and appreciation of the form of music known as Rhythm & Blues and the artists who made significant contributions to the birth and development of Rhythm & Blues music, particularly in the decades of the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The Foundation was housed in Washington, DC and New York City, until the recent move to Philadelphia in April of 2005. The offices are currently located at 100 South Broad Street, Suite 620, Philadelphia, PA 19110.
For ticket information, contact the R&B Foundation at 800.258.3799 or www.rhythmblues.org.
