NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Top40 Charts/
Music And Media) - Uni Pereira, lead singer of Nashville-based rock band,
Red Carpet Rats (RCR), was asked to perform in front of legendary music and entertainment leaders in a joint celebration of the Heroes and
Legends (HAL) Awards' 20th Anniversary and Motown's 50th Anniversary on
September 27 at the world famous Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
The event annually honors entertainment pioneers and legends. The 2009 honorees included veteran record label executive, Clarence Avant; guitar virtuoso, Dennis Coffey; George Clinton of the legendary Parliament-Funkadelic; Eddie Levert of the O'Jays and actor Wesley Snipes.
Executive producer, Janie Bradford, heard RCR's rendition of the Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' classic, 'Tears of a Clown' and asked Pereira to perform the song at the event.
'The music of Motown has crossed all musical barriers,' Bradford explained. 'Having Uni perform one of Smokey's biggest hits as a rock song, just demonstrates the broad appeal of these classic songs.'
Pereira said he was honored to share the stage with the industry icons that participated in the event, including Quincy Jones and Berry Gordy.
'After the show, Quincy asked me to sit down and share a moment with him,' he said. 'I'm in a rock band from Nashville, Tennessee and I'm having a one-on-one with Quincy Jones! That doesn't happen everyday.'
JoMarie Payton, best known for her role as Harriette Winslow on Family Matters, hosted the event which raises funds for the HAL Scholarship Foundation designed to help talented young people interested in performing arts careers. This hits home for Pereira, who feels strongly about helping children interested in the arts. He and his RCR bandmates lead songwriting sessions at local schools in Nashville. 'As a songwriter,' he continues, 'having the opportunity to meet legendary songwriters like Brian Holland, Janie Bradford and Mr. Gordy was an unforgettable experience.'
Nashville-based Red Carpet Rats are currently enjoying chart success with their debut single on Chauffeur Records, 'Photographic Memory' and the album cut 'Going To Hell' will be featured in the indie horror film, 'Dead Start.' For more information on this talented band, please visit www.redcarpetrats.com.
The Heroes And Legends (HAL) Scholarship Foundation was created by celebrated songwriter and Motown Alumna, Janie Bradford, to aid "at risk" youth by providing scholarship funds for students pursuing a performing arts curriculum and to spotlight exceptional members of the music, theatre and film industries each year at the Annual HAL Awards Scholarship Dinner. For more information, please visit www.halawards.com
