Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2008, No. 45 - Beale Street, Part 2

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* * *BEALE STREET, PART 2: . . . the rest of the story, 24th Annual Music Pioneer Awards, Homecoming Celebration 2008.

I got a call from Andrew - he had just learned (yesterday) that GROUNDSPEAK would be receiving the Award for Most Promising New Band, that night, August 28, 2008. Oh, and by the way - would they play at the Awards Show? Yes, indeed!

He said the Awards are given by United Music Heritage, Inc., a fellow named Dan Greer. So, I checked out their web-site, and gave them a call. Dan Greer answered the phone, and was genuinely nice.

So, I was on my way to Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee, to see the show.

The Awards Show, hosted by Tim McCarthey, was held at The New Daisy Theater on Beale Street. This year’s honoree’s included Johnny Nash ("I Can See Clearly Now"), Fred M. Jordan, III, Willie Mitchell, Bernice Turner, Andrew Love of The Memphis Horns, Bishop G.E. Patterson, Rev. Mitty Collier ("I Had a Talk with my Man Last Night"), The Barkays, Vernice Starks, Joey Welz (Piano player, Bill Haley and the Comets "Rock Around the Clock"), The Ovations, The Soul Children, Dan Greer and other Memphis Artists.

Although Johnny Nash’s "I Can See Clearly Now" was a Reggae cross-over hit, these artists are predominantly Rhythm & Blues. We love R & B!

Nevertheless, GROUNDSPEAK

, a jazz fusion band, was invited to play at the Awards Show! They were very well received. Logan Hanna - guitar; Andrew Simons - bass; Gerald Stephens - keyboards; Jessie Williams - drums.

Then, after they finished their number "Trunk Bunk" - Dan Greer brought them to the microphone, and made a gracious presentation of their Award - Most Promising New Band!

Being a fairly new band, this was their first award. They were quite excited!

After the Awards Ceremony, they got to meet and hob-knob with all of the greats. For GROUNDSPEAK and Delta-Jam Records, it was a night to remember on Beale Street!* * *

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS

: As of September 4, 2008, the Blog roster stands at 90 Beta Pi brothers, and of those, 83 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses. If you have an e-mail address on a Bro’ - it’s up to yo’!


VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72