ATLANTA, GA. (The Georgia Department of Economic Development/ www.georgia.org) - The 26th annual Georgia
Music Hall of Fame Awards Banquet will celebrate the best of Georgia music on Saturday,
September 18, in the
Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
The black-tie optional event will feature the induction of four new members to the Hall of Fame - renowned keyboardist Chuck Leavell, opera singer Mattiwilda Dobbs, composer Mary Lou Williams, and singer and radio pioneer Hugh Jarrett - and tributes to Ray Charles and Bill Lowery. The Horizon Award, presented for the first time this year to a new music talent in Georgia, will also be awarded at the event.
"Georgia has a rich music heritage and an event like this brings that history and our great talent into the spotlight," said Greg Torre, director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Office of Film, Video and Music.
Each inductee will receive the prestigious and coveted GEORGY Award created by Tiffany & Company and described as a "work of art in itself," as a symbol of their achievements and significant contributions to Georgia's music heritage.
Dr. Bobbie Bailey, who is chairman of the Friends of Georgia Music, Inc. and long-time supporter of the Georgia music industry, views the awards presentation, the events leading up to it and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame itself as a celebration of the Georgia artists, producers, songwriters, publishers and engineers that call or have called Georgia home.
"The Georgia Music Hall of Fame is a lasting tribute to all those who have worked to make Georgia music great and an inspiration to our future generations," said Bailey.
Friends of Georgia Music, Inc. sponsors an annual statewide talent search throughout all Georgia high schools. This year's winner, Sarah Katherine Taylor from Newnan, Ga., will receive a scholarship to help her continue her education and pursue her dreams.
Over the past 25 years, Friends of Georgia Music Festival, Inc., the Senate Music Industry and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame have honored the many achievements of Georgia musicians, songwriters, composers, publishers and agents.
Tickets to the awards show, which includes live performances by Candi Staton, Leavell backed by the Randall Bramblett Band, the Swimming Pool Qs, Tamyra Gray, and songwriters Tony Arata, Tim Wilson and Pat Alger, are $75 each or $750 for tables of 10. Call (770) 934-0906 for ticket information.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, promoting the state as a location for film and video projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.
For more information, visit https://www.georgia.org or call (404) 962-4006.
