09/26/2024
On Sunday September 22nd and Monday September 23rd, Classic Soul/R&B Legends gathered with celebrities, fans and family at the Claridge Hotel in The City of Atlantic City for the National R&B Music Society’s 14th Black Tie Gala Awards Ceremony and The National R&B Music Society The Atlantic City Walk Of Fame Induction Ceremony.
We would like to thank everyone involved for helping to make this year’s event a fabulous success in pursuit of our mission to preserve and promote Classic Soul /R&B music and to honor and support the legendary personalities who have created and disseminated it. Our honorees: Karyn White, Skyy, Leroy Hutson, Miki Howard and the Late, Great, Soul Singer Linda Jones. Hosted by Alyson Williams, Bowlegged Lou and Maurice The Voice Watts. Stuart Bascombe was the Master of Ceremony.
We inducted the International Recording Artist, The Manhattans into the The National R&B Music Society Inc. The Atlantic City Walk Of Fame, The unveiling took place on Monday, September 23, 2024 at Brighton Park in Atlantic City. Gerald Alston accepted the honor on behalf of The Manhattans. The wife (Anna) and daughter of the late Winfred "Blue" Lovett, and the daughter (Pamela), and son (Mark) of Sonny Bivins were in attendance for the unveiling.
The National R&B Music Society Certificate of Appreciation (a surprise) was presented to promoter David Sheppard.
It was a splendid sight to witness so many beautiful and elegant people come together in peace for the express purpose of enjoying and celebrating the music we love.
The program consisted of a Red Carpet, Cocktail Reception in the Oceanview Room, and the award presentations, acceptances and musical tributes in the Celebrity Theater.
After the main program many attendees flocked to the rooftop Vue for late night light food drinks, and conversations.
We would like to express our profound gratitude and appreciation to all of our attendees in particular to our honorees.
The legendary Karyn White, and SKYY, receiving a “Lifetime Achievement Awards”, and the Legend Award was presented posthumously to Soul Singer Linda Jones. Her daughter Terry Jones accepted her award on her behalf. Helen Bruner accepted Miki Howard's award on her behalf.
Our sincere thanks goes out to Platinum Award R&B Group Allure who performed musical tributes to Karyn White and Miki Howard. Alyson Williams, Dennis Taylor and Crystal Spivey performed tributes for Linda Jones. Libby Cabello, Dennis Taylor and MonRay Francois for SKYY, and Village bridge for Leroy Hutson. Thanks to The Cason Express Show Band.
Thank you to host Bowlegged Lou for providing a videotaped opening address and for gathering all of the video drops congratulating Karyn White from her peers and loved ones. Thank you to our Hosts Alyson Williams, Maurice Watts and Stuart Bascombe.
Thank you to all of those who assisted us on the day of the event including Agnes Blackshear, Maurice Watts, Ophelia Gray, Debbie Cooper MonRay Francois, Dennis Taylor and Ron & Karen Mathews who were a huge help. Thank you to our photographer Julius Freeman and all who captured the moments.
Thank you to all of our sponsors who included Verdine White performing Art Center, The City of Atlantic City, Fred Nunery, Jackie Lamond, CRDA, and Kelsey's Atlantic City (who provided the food for our green room).
Thank you to the Claridge Hotel and staff especially, Jeff Sands, Curtis McNulty and Chef Craig Johnson.
Much thanks to Karyn White's partner Derrick Muhammad, and her daughter Ashley. It was a pleasure meeting you all.
Thank you to the special guests that attended including but not limited to: Wil Hart of The Delfonics and his wife Shelia, Russell Thompkins, Jr., (The Voice of The Stylistics) and Janice, Black Ivory, Khalil Bilal of The Unfics and his wife Shirley Hall, Cliff Perkins and Veda LaRue of Soul Generation, Jean Carne and her daughter Jean Wolfe, Annette Guest of First Choice, Cassandra Wooten of The Ritchie Family, Producer George Kerr, Cynthia Tyre, Debi Jackson and David Sheppard, Russell and Carol Banks, Karen Shockness, Ken & Sandy Murphy, Michael Jacobs and Rich Rolon, Karen & Ron Mathews, Tim Marshall and Kevin White and their R&B Showcase TV crew, SiSi Dash and her mother Sandy Thomas, Kiki Shadez, Austin Kwame Wilkinson and Ladies of SKYY Team, Donnie and Brig Tatem, Lady J, Troy Hughes, and Diane Bines.
Thank you to all of our family, friends, special invited guests and our public members, who shared their evening with us.
Thank you to my rock, my life partner, my best friend and husband Stuart Bascombe who is always there for me as I am for him.
The National R&B Music Society Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. To donate please click on the link www.rnbmusicsociety.com
Donations are tax deductible according to the law.
