CHICAGO, IL. (Chicago
Music Awards) - Some eleven recipients for Lifetime and Awards of Honor, in conjunction with nominees in 40 musical categories were announced at the 26th Annual
Chicago Music Awards (CMA) press conference held at the historic
Velvet Lounge Jazz Club, located at 67 East Cermak Avenue, in Chicago, on Tuesday, December 5th.
The winners will be announced at the 26th Annual Chicago Music Awards, gala Sunday, January 28th, 2007, VIP reception- 6 pm; Awards ceremony 7 pm at the Park West Theatre, 332 West Armitage, Chicago, Illinois.
The special recipients for Lifetime Awards are: Gospel legend Delores Washington of the Caravans; Jazz icon Fred Anderson; historic black film maker Ronn Pitts; Veteran radio disc jockeys Richard Pegue, Dick Biondi and Clark Weber. Special recipients for Award of Honor are: Chicago Gospel Festival coordinator/radio host Pam Morris; Oprah Winfrey XM radio producer, writer and radio host Mark Ruffin; Rock/Country producer and singer Kevin Chalfant; Veteran radio jockey Robert (Bob) Stroud, and from the land of Ethiopia, veteran African/Reggae Entertainer Zeleke Gessesse, who in the last three years help to build several schools in Ethiopia for thousands of children.
Topping the list of nominees; Gospel superstar Darius Brooks & JMG, nominated for Best Gospel Entertainer, Best Gospel CD/Album "My Soul" and "The Reunion" with former members of the Thompson Community Singers; Also: Songwriter of the Year, Most Outstanding Band/Group, Record Label of the Year, and from his JMG label Best New Entertainer. Other top nominees include: Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Buddy Guy, Jennifer Hudson, The Caravans, Umphrey's McGee, Marty Casey and Lovehammers, Funkadesi, Malcolm Williams and the Voices of Great Faith, Danki Man, Ricky Luis, and Marshal Thompson and the Chi- Lites.
The public voting is now open and music fans can now vote for the winners on-line in all 40 categories by visiting www.chicagomusicawards.com. Voting can also be done by e-mail and mail in ballots. Ballots are available in selected newspapers and magazines, at clubs, record stores, beauty salons and other locations throughout the Chicagoland area. Deadline for voting is January 10, 2007. For further information call 312/427-0266.
"It's the only one of its kind and for 26 years, the Chicago Music Awards have been recognizing homegrown talents in the Chicagoland area, The main objective of the Awards celebration is to give recognition and accolades to members of Chicagoland music and entertainment industry," said Ephraim Martin, president of Martin's Inter-Culture.
Each year, the highly anticipated event pays tribute to Chicago's rich and diverse musical heritage. Over 200 artists in 40 categories ranging from Pop, Reggae, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Country & Western and Gospel to R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Latin, Reggaeton, World Beat and other music genres compete annually at this festive event, the only one of its kind to honor entertainers across musical genres in the Chicagoland area. The ceremony will be hosted by Bluesman Frank Pelligrino of Kingston Mines and others to be announced later.
