by Fred Willis | May 22, 2018 | Music News
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will host its 31st annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on Thursday, June 21, 2018in Los Angeles. ASCAP will honor the popular 90s R&B group Xscape with the ASCAP Golden Note Award during this year’s ceremony, and members Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, Tamika Scott and LaTocha Scott will be on hand to accept. The event will also honor ASCAP songwriter and publisher members with awards for the most performed ASCAP songs of the past year on the R&B, hip-hop, rap and gospel charts.
The ASCAP Golden Note Award is one of the most prestigious honors ASCAP bestows upon songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Previous recipients include: Usher, Lauryn Hill, Ne-Yo, Mary Mary, A Tribe Called Quest, Alicia Keys, New Edition, Lionel Richie, Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z and many more.
“Xscape knocked us all out in the 90s with their powerful vocal harmonies on singles like ‘Just Kickin’ It,’ and ‘Understanding,’ and surprised absolutely no one as they went on to become one of the most prolific female R&B groups of all time,” said ASCAP President Paul Williams. “Decades later, all four members have gone on to individual success in music and on screen, and we are thrilled to recognize their achievements with the ASCAP Golden Note Award.”
Hailing from College Park, GA, sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott, Kandi Burruss, and Tameka “Tiny” Harris, joined forces when they met at a performing arts high school. The R&B quartet was discovered in Atlanta by Jermaine Dupri, who signed them to his up-and-coming label, So So Def.
Xscape changed the face of R&B. Their powerful vocals created an incomparable sound, and their infectious ballads appealed to a wide audience. Their debut album, Hummin’ Comin’ At ‘Cha (1993) went platinum and launched two top 10 singles, “Just Kickin‘ It”, and “Understanding”, which both became platinum number-one hits.
After two additional platinum albums, the group split, but each member of the group went on to achieve additional success. Burruss and Harris co-wrote the hit “No Scrubs” for TLC, and scored a Grammy for Best Song, and were later credited as co-writers of the 2017 Ed Sheeran smash, “Shape of You.” Burruss also wrote the number-one hits “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Bug A Boo” for Destiny’s Child and “There You Go” for Pink. In 2000, she became the first woman to win the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year Award and has over the span of her career contributed to 60+ Million records sold for artist such as Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, *NSYNC, E40 and more. Burruss has created and executive produced several television shows including: Kandi’s Wedding, Kandi’s Ski Trip, and The Kandi Factory. Tameka “Tiny” Harris would hold dual roles as star and executive producer of the reality show Tiny and Toya,” and she and her husband T.I. executive produced and starred in the reality series T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle. LaTocha Scott continued to perform and has produced for artists like Whitney Houston and Tamar Braxton, and in 2013, starred in the second season of the reality show R&B Divas: Atlanta. Tamika Scott has acted onstage and onscreen and has continued to write songs, including “The Greatest Gift” for Tyler Perry’s “Daddy’s Little Girls” film, recorded by Grammy winner Yolanda Adams. She has also written two books and four screenplays.
Last year, Xscape celebrated their 25th anniversary and reunited for the rerelease of their debut album, a docu-series on Bravo capturing their journey toward a momentous group performance in almost 2 decades, an electrifying tour, and an upcoming provocative film that will reveal their untold story from teens in College Park to industry icons.
During the ASCAP ceremony, awards will also be presented for ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature live performances and guests will include top names in the music and entertainment industry.
Members of the press may apply for media credentials to cover the 2018 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards by contacting Strategic Heights Media at media@strategicheights.com.
About ASCAP
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP’s mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world’s best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business – from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With over 660,000 members representing more than 11.5 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.
SOURCE
ASCAP
by Fred Willis | Sep 22, 2017 | Christian
“The River” Claims Top Song Honors; Capitol CMG Publishing Earns Publisher of the Year for 15th Consecutive Year
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored the songwriters and publishers of Christian music’s most performed songs of the past year at the 39th annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards on Tuesday, September 19th, at the Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin, Tennessee. The evening was hosted by ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews, President and Chairman Paul Williams, Executive Vice President of Membership John Titta and Vice President of Nashville Membership Michael Martin, before an audience of distinguished songwriters, Christian music stars and music industry leaders.
Top honors were awarded to the following:
- ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year: Matthew West
- ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter-Artist of the Year: Joel Smallbone (of For King & Country)
- ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year: “The River,” written by Colby Wedgeworth, published by Colby Wedgeworth Music and Fair Trade Music Publishing
- ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year: Capitol CMG Publishing
Country music star Reba McEntire made a special appearance to present the Song of the Year award to writer Colby Wedgeworth and publisher Fair Trade Music. Performances included Jordan Feliz with Wedgeworth on “The River;” Hannah Kerr, “Warrior;” Ryan Stevenson, “Eye of the Storm;” Emily Weisband, “Thy Will;” and Matthew West with Randy Phillips (of Phillips, Craig and Dean) on “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again.” A total of 24 most-performed song awards were presented by Martin along with ASCAP Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad, Director of Strategic Services Kele Currier and Creative Manager Beth Brinker.
West earned his second ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year award, having previously claimed the title in 2014. He also earned three ASCAP most-performed song awards for his own chart-topping single, “Mended,” as well as “One Step Away,” recorded by Casting Crowns and “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again,” recorded by Danny Gokey.
Joel Smallbone earned his first ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter-Artist of the Year award and two ASCAP most-performed song awards for hits “Priceless” and “It’s Not Over Yet,” recorded by For King & Country.
ASCAP Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews presented the ASCAP Christian Music Publisher of the Year Award to Capitol CMG Publishing, which claimed the title for the 15th consecutive year with an impressive nine award-winning titles. Capitol CMG Executive Vice President Casey McGinty and his team were on hand to accept the award.
Notable songwriters and artists in attendance included Mike Gomez, Chad Mattson & Jon Lowry(Unspoken), Randy Phillips (Phillips, Craig and Dean) Jodi King and Chris Rademaker of Love & The Outcome, Jonny Diaz, 2016 ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year Ben Glover, songwriter David Garcia and more.
About ASCAP
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP’s mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world’s best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business – from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With more than 625,000 members representing more than 10 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter @ASCAP and on Facebook.
SOURCE
ASCAP Logo (PRNewsfoto/ASCAP)
by Fred Willis | Jun 19, 2017 | Celebrity, Music News
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will host its 30th annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. The exclusive event will honor hip-hop legend, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, with the esteemed ASCAP Founders Award upon the 20th anniversary of his death. His mother, Ms. Voletta Wallace, his wife, singer/songwriter Faith Evans, his children, and his former managers and estate consultant Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts will accept the award. ASCAP will also honor its songwriter and publisher community with awards for the most performed ASCAP songs of the past year on the R&B, hip-hop, rap and gospel charts.
The ASCAP Founders Award is ASCAP’s most prestigious honor and is presented to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius that will enrich generations to come. Previous recipients include: Quincy Jones, Dr. Dre, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Berry Gordy Jr. & Motown Industries, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley of KISS, Ricky Skaggs, Elliot Goldenthal, Carly Simon, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Melissa Etheridge, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Patti Smith, Neil Young and many more.
“Biggie was a legend in his own time and his legacy lives on through his music,” said ASCAP President Paul Williams. “Like all songwriters, he was a master storyteller, but it was the realism in his rhymes that captured so many.”
The Notorious B.I.G. is widely known as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time. The Brooklyn-bred rapper released his critically acclaimed debut album Ready to Die in 1994, which is certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). At a time when West Coast hip-hop was immensely popular, the success of the album led Biggie to be credited with reviving the East Coast hip-hop scene. He immediately saw pop chart success with his first single “Juicy/Unbelievable,” followed by songs such as “Big Poppa,” which soared to #1 on the rap charts; and “One More Chance,” which sold over one million copies. Biggie was also featured on gold and platinum selling singles, “Player’s Anthem” and “Get Money,” released by his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A, which included Lil’ Kim and Lil’ Cease.
In 1997, after Biggie’s death, his second album, titled Life After Death, was released. It hit #1 on the Billboard charts and was certified with diamond status in 2000, the highest RIAA certification given to a solo hip-hop album. The album spawned #1 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts including the lead single, “Hypnotize,” as well as follow-up “Mo Money, Mo Problems,” featuring Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and Mase.
The Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy continues to survive and inspire countless other artists who have sampled his music. On May 19th, two days before what would have been his 45th birthday, Faith Evans released a tribute album titled, The King And I, featuring duets between her and her husband.
During the ASCAP ceremony, awards will also be presented for ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature performances by several award-winning songwriters/performers, and will be attended by some of the top names in the music and entertainment industry.
REVOLT TV is the presenting sponsor for the 2017 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.
About ASCAP
ASCAP Logo (PRNewsfoto/ASCAP)
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP’s mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world’s best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business – from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With over 600,000 members representing more than 10.5 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.
by Fred Willis | Jun 19, 2017 | Celebrity, Music News
ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers will honor legendary songwriting and music production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis with the illustrious ASCAP Voice of Music Award at its 30th annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel. This prestigious award comes on the heels of Jam and Lewis’s induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 15. The Grammy-winning duo and owners of Flyte Tyme Productions are responsible for an impressive body of work that includes chart-topping pop hits such as Janet Jackson’s “When I Think Of You,” and “Miss You Much;” Mariah Carey’s “Thank God I Found You;” George Michael’s “Monkey;” Boyz II Men’s “On Bended Knee;” and Mary J Blige’s “No More Drama.”
The ASCAP Voice of Music Award is presented to songwriters and artists whose music gives voice to the spirit of a generation. Previous recipients of the ASCAP Voice of Music Award include Mary J. Blige, Diane Warren, Trisha Yearwood, The Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Webb, George Strait and Garth Brooks
“When they were in The Time and started working with Janet Jackson in the 1980s, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were the architects of the sound of an era,” said ASCAP President Paul Williams. “Since then, they’ve left their fingerprints on hits in every decade on into the 21st century. We are elated to honor Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis with the ASCAP Voice of Music Award.”
As ASCAP songwriters and producers for 34 years, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have earned millions of sales on more than 100 albums that have exceeded gold, platinum, and multi-platinum status. They scored an incredible 16 #1 pop hits, more than any other songwriting and production team in pop history; and achieved the rare feat of writing and producing pop hits in three consecutive decades (1980s, 1990s and 2000s). They are also responsible for 26 songs that reached #1 on the R&B charts.
Jam and Lewis started out as part of Prince’s band, The Time, in Minneapolis and aside from Prince, they are widely recognized with crafting the “Minneapolis sound.” After parting ways with Prince, they established a recording studio and production company called Flyte Tyme. Their longtime collaboration with Janet Jackson spawned several #1 hits and solidified them as pop hitmakers. They have won five Grammys and received the most nominations for Producer of the Year, with 11 nominations, and won the award in 1987 at the 29th Grammy Awards, the very first year they were nominated. They have received eight ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Awards – six for Rhythm & Soul Music and two for Pop Music.
With a remarkable career that has spanned more than three decades, Jam and Lewis have worked with artists such as Herb Alpert, TLC, Sounds of Blackness, Yolanda Adams, Jordan Knight, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Usher, Johnny Gill, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Prince, Spice Girls, Vanessa Williams, George Michael, Melanie B, Rod Stewart, Kelly Price, Gwen Stefani, New Edition, Eric Benet, Pia Zadora, SOLO, and The Human League.
The ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards will also honor hip-hop legend, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, with the esteemed ASCAP Founders Award upon the 20th anniversary of his death.
Awards will also be presented for ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature performances by several award-winning songwriters/performers, and will be attended by some of the top names in the music and entertainment industry.
REVOLT TV is the presenting sponsor for the 2017 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. Ciroc is also a sponsor.
About ASCAP
ASCAP Logo (PRNewsfoto/ASCAP)
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP’s mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world’s best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business – from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With over 600,000 members representing more than 10.5 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.
Source:
ASCAP
by Fred Willis | Apr 11, 2017 | Gospel, Music News, Television, The Gospel Music Series
I watched the 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on TV One last Sunday and I have to admit that I’m impressed. What I saw on tv gave me a deep sense of pride and appreciation not only for gospel music, but for what exists as the current gospel music industry. I’ll share my full reaction to not only the show, but the weekend and its reflection on the gospel music industry, below.
The Stellars is our largest award show and is the only comparable award to the likes of a Grammy or Dove Award exclusive to the gospel music industry. There are other gospel music award shows and some have been doing a ‘stellar’ job honoring mainstream artists as well as lesser known and independent artists for years. This is worth noting and should be added to the celebration of gospel music as a whole.
In case you missed it on TV One, you can catch it on a local network near you.
Read our Stellar Awards recap
Take for instance Choir Boi Cam who was a nominee this year, I came to know him first as a Prayzefactor People’s Choice Award nominee and winner. Cam’s progression is the natural progression of a career and worthy of note. The same however goes with life: you shouldn’t always be in the starting blocks, nor should you remain a spectator forever.
Because the Stellars is ‘ours’ in gospel music, I too believe that it must make adjustments to better suit the growth of our industry. It’s rather implausible to make show suggestions because with a pre-show and main show, you may not impact each nuance of the ever evolving gospel music industry.
A few favorite moments of mine included: the rap collab, Pastor Shirley Caesar and Jekalyn Carr and the guys with guitars segment. The Chicago Mass Choir is always A-1 in my book but I wish there were more with Pastor Donnie McClurkin and Evangelist Lemmie Battles. We would still be shouting, seriously! This was yet another shortcoming of not having a live band this year, the track simply started over instead of having a place to pick up in the song to close the show.
I was backstage in the press area during the show and we were all anxious to see the finished product. Again, I’m very pleased with what aired last Sunday. I too am a gospel consumer and though I’m privy to privileged information and spaces, I really just want gospel music to be great-again and all the time! Our gospel industry is doing its level best to survive, it MUST thrive again! Sadly, our industry is at the mercy of the music and entertainment industry at large.
We have intrinsic opportunities for career advancement, though. Church concerts, nursing home ‘tours’ and street ministry are all viable means of increase, but our industry suffers when 85% are stalled and standing in line at the narrow entrance into the industry at large. These unique opportunities are often overlooked and undervalued because it thrusts the brunt of the work on the aspiring artists.
No convention, gathering or conference call will ever replace hard work. And for those of you aspiring artists, you’ve got much hard work ahead of you! For the industry’s part, the industry has to also re-create a launch pad for new blood in gospel music.
While celebrating established radio hits and albums, we’ve seen the Stellars be a launch pad for radio hits like: “Amazing” and “Better” as of late. Still, there is seldom a singular moment or place where artists can learn or be on a next-level platform that is wholly endorsed by the gospel music industry.
Our aspiring artists will flock to the Immerse conference in Nashville for opportunities like those. Opportunities to have their songs heard and critiqued and even performed…? ASCAP hosts its “I Create Music” expo this week and there seems to be very little involvement or interest from leaders within the industry. For artist and industry advancement, that launch pad is apparently off-site!
What about Chance the Rapper?
We do have many great events and conferences within the gospel music industry but we seem to struggle with being an active part of the industry. Yes, gospel music is a part of the industry and we must act like it. Our music and engagement must be comparable, even if our budgets are not.
While the element of worship sets us apart from the remainder of the industry, incompetence and lack of focus in the marketplace is the gulf hindering our deliverance of worship to the world! One word of advice I’d like to give aspiring artists and executives: Go where the industry is!
Whether the industry is in Vegas for the Stellars, Atlanta for GMWA, Nashville for the Dove Awards, LA for the Grammys/Image Awards of Dallas for Megafest…get there and be involved. Meet people, introduce yourself, network. Watch and see how it’s done and apply the lessons to your career or artist. We won’t advance gospel music by remaining outliers in an industry that increases in size and influence, daily!
Here’s what’s got my ear
Perhaps the greatest post-Stellar moment for the industry was JJ Hairston’s Facebook live video where he basically spelled out the current industry/ministry formula for everyone to explore. After the Stellars I left asking many of the questions JJ Hairston answered. Not because I didn’t know, but because I didn’t see anyone volunteering “inside” information like that.
Watch JJ Hairston’s Facebook live video, here
I’m privileged with access and see and hear so much. I’ve seen the wheels turning, have heard conversations about who can get put on, who’s getting pulled and even who has heard, seen and read what on and offline. Still, with the initial airing of the 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, I’m hopeful.
I’m hopeful that the scope of gospel music has been widened on the executive and production levels. I’m also hopeful that consumers and supporters understand that you can’t feature or even appreciate the immensity of our beloved genre in a mere two hours or less once a year.
I’m also hopeful that we have new nominees and winners next year, and not only because it’s an album year for artists and they have new music available. I’m hopeful for more Choir Boi Cam‘s and Lil’ Jay and the Spiritual Boys and even Keith Wonderboy Johnson who was told he would have difficulty returning after nearly 10 years.
I’m hopeful that some of the amazing artists like Corey Kennedy, Kadesh or Eric Waddell and the Abundant Life Singers who I only saw and heard at showcases around the city catch the eyes and ears of SAGMA members and the industry at large. I’m hopeful that we have room to truly celebrate artists like Jekalyn Carr and JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise whose music has ruled the airwaves over the year and not leave them empty handed at the close of Stellar week.
Interested in joining the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy?
Still, I’m hopeful because we haven’t heard the best gospel music has to offer. I’m hopeful that our creatives will retain their creative drive and keep giving us the best they have to offer!
I’m hopeful that the artists that stayed home this year because they didn’t feel it necessary to attend make the decision to show up next year. Why? Because whether we like it or not, the Stellars IS in fact all we have on this level in gospel music-the title sponsors alone help prove that point.
Next year will be 33 years for Central City Productions’ Stellar Gospel Music Awards and I can almost guarantee you they have no plans of dying on a hill or disappearing. The Stellars are primed (yet again) to get bigger and encroach the influence and weight of some of the bigger award shows like the Billboard, American Music and Grammy awards.
Remember, this was the 2017 version of gospel music acknowledgment. Next year should look much different, it’s only natural. Some of the perennial nominees may be settling into senior roles within the industry by next year, let them.
It’s ok if they’re only presenters and mentioned in thank you speeches. It’s totally fine and as the old adage says: “‘thank you’ makes room for more”!
Days before the biggest night in gospel music, Gerald Jones of Da Gospel Truth penned an open letter to The Stellar Awards. At large the letter was constructive criticism though it was widely perceived as a rebuke or even “shade”. He presented many valid points that I’m sure are being and have already been taken into consideration. Now that the show is over, time will only tell how influential Jones’ open letter was.
It’s quite the juxtaposition to openly criticize something you’re a part of, but Jones certainly made some hard conversations palatable and even possible with the letter. One thing Jones hit on that makes for perfect conversation is the arcane and arcaic approach to SAGMA and other facets of the Stellar awards.
What has rubbed many the wrong way is involvement at large within the organization. It somehow seems that singular individuals and their attitudes are in charge of corporate action which is holding us behind. It remains to be seen what will come of Jones’ honesty in honesty in the letter.
With that being said, thank you to Mr. Don Jackson and Central City Productions. Thanks for keeping The Stellars around for yet another award season. Thanks for giving those of us in inspirational media one of our biggest events to work each year. Thanks for allowing our platform to be apart of yours. We will see you all again, next year!
