The Rhythm & Blues Foundation Mourns the Loss of Two Pioneer Award Winners
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) July 02, 2014 -- The Rhythm & Blues Foundation wishes to express its sorrow over the loss of two of its Pioneer Award winners, Bobby Womack and Little Jimmy Scott. Both artists represented the genre of Rhythm and Blues music at the highest level, and will forever be remembered for their outstanding vocal recordings which were truly one of a kind.
Damon Williams, Chairman of the R&B Foundation stated: "Bobby Womack and Little Jimmy Scott represent what’s great about the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award. These were two incredibly talented men who worked their tails off and paid their dues so that contemporary artists after them could learn and benefit from their works. We are saddened by the loss of two of our Pioneer Award winners, but encouraged that their memory and legacy will live on forever."
Bobby Womack was a recipient of the R&B Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 1996, rounding out a class that included such notables as Bo Diddley, The Cadillac’s, Johnny Taylor, and The Isley Brothers. An absolute pioneering artist, musician, songwriter, and producer, Bobby Womack has influenced generations of artists and musicians worldwide. From signature songs like, “If You Think Your Lonely Now,” to the iconic soul classic, “Across 110th Street," Bobby’s soulful vocals are legendary.
Little Jimmy was a recipient of the R&B Foundation’s Pioneer Award at the first ceremony in 1989, along with Lavern Baker, Charles Brown, Ruth Brown, The Clovers, Etta James, Percy Sledge, and Mary Wells. In 1990, Little Jimmy performed at the Kennedy Center to honor the R&B Foundation at an event hosted by the Congressional Arts Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus. Little Jimmy was beloved by his many fans and admired by music royalty such as B.B. King, Marvin Gaye, Bonnie Raitt, Quincy Jones and many others.
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation is the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to preserving Rhythm & Blues music and celebrating the artists who created it. http://www.rhythm-n-blues.org.
The Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Awards Program has recognized over 150 legendary artists whose lifelong contributions have been instrumental in the development of Rhythm & Blues music. The award honors the career achievements of solo artists, vocal groups, songwriters, and producers who are nominated and selected by members of our board of directors. As part of the Pioneer Awards, most recipients receive an honorarium. Since 1989, the Pioneer Awards Program has given over $1.5 million to worthy honorees and will continue to celebrate legendary Rhythm & Blues artists.
Contributions to the Rhythm and Blues Foundation can be sent to:
Rhythm & Blues Foundation
P.O. Box 22438
Philadelphia, Pa. 19101
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Josefa Paganuzzi, Music Choice, http://www.musicchoice.com, +1 (646) 459-3357, [email protected]
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