Here is something that is going in the Dateline Memphis. Talk about breaking
rules, I guess I did. I am in NARAS, and also a nominee, but there was no one
else to write it. If any of you think you might want to come to Memphis for
the night and wear your fanciest duds, this will be a good night to do it.
Johnny Cash to be Honored by NARAS
Quick, what do Johnny Cash and Isaac Hayes have in common? Both
songwriter/performers have a truly unique style of their own, with deep rich
roots right here in Memphis. But on March 31, when the Memphis Chapter of the
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honors Johnny Cash at its 14th
Annual Premier Player Awards, both will have also achieved the highest honor
that a chapter of the Recording Academy can bestow upon an individual, the
Governors Award.
Hayes received his Governors Award from back in 1994, when the ceremony was
still held at the New Daisy Theatre on Beale Street, but over the years the
Memphis Chapter has grown, and so have the Premier Player Awards.
After two consecutive sellouts at The Peabody’s Memphis Ballroom, this
year’s award show will move to the Pyramid. A 1500 seat ballroom is being
created, along with a Taste of Downtown Nominees Reception and post awards
entertainment at the Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street.
Johnny Cash has penned over 1000 songs since leading off with “Cry Cry Cry”
at Sun Studio in 1955. He has riveted audiences in every corner of the world,
written three books, hosted his own television series, acted in movies, TV and
dramatic specials.
Other past Governor Award recipients include ZZ Top, Sam Phillips, Elvis
Presley, Al Green, Jerry Lee Lewis and BB. King.
In addition to honoring Cash, the Premier Player Awards will feature
performances by many of its nominees. Nominees are selected and voted on by
members of the Memphis Chapter of NARAS, among those being professionals in
all aspects of the music industry; from songwriters and performers, to
engineers, producers, managers, record company executives, artists and liner
note writers. The recipient of the Governors Award is selected by members of
the Memphis Chapter’s Board of Governors.
“Memphis” Johnny Rivers will host the show, and members of Cash’s family
are expected to attend. Cash has not been in the best of health recently; he
has Parkinson’s disease, and pneumonia has sent him to the hospital more than
once during this past year. The “Man in Black” has said that he very much
wants to attend these ceremonies honoring his lifetime achievements, and God
willing, his health will allow him to do so.
In the past, the Premier Player Awards has only been attended by NARAS
members and sponsors, but this year tickets are available to the general
public. For more information, contact NARAS at (901) 525-1340 or e-mail
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
— Nancy Apple
14th Annual Premier Player Awards Nominees
Premier Female Vocalist Award: Joyce Cobb, Kelley Hurt, Jackie Johnson,
Susan Marshall-Powell, Reba Russell.
Premier Male Vocalist Award: Jimmy Davis, Van Duren, James Govan, Jimi
Jamison, Gary Johns, Kevin Paige.
Premier Songwriter Award: Nancy Apple, Tommy Burroughs, Jimmy Davis, Jerry
Hayes, Ross Rice, Keith Sykes.
Premier Band Award: Big Ass Truck, FreeWorld, North Mississippi All-Stars,
Reba Russell Band, Riverbluff Clan.
Newcomer/The Phillips Award: Joe Beasley, Lucero, Charles Miller, New
Memphis Hepcats, Charlie Rich Jr., Mason Ruffner, Skillet, Yamagata.
Premier Audio Engineer Award: William Brown, John Hampton, Dawn Hopkins,
Kevin Houston, Jeff Powell.
Premier Producer Award: Jim Dickinson, Jim Gaines, John Hampton, Jeff
Powell, Ross Rice.
Premier Rapper(s) Award: Dosha Demons, Steve Dolan, Al Kapone, Lois Lane,
Three 6 Mafia.
Premier Live DJ/Turntable Artist Award: Colin Butler, Slicse T, Devin
Steel.
Premier Drummer/Percussionist Award: Lloyd Anderson, Cody Dickinson, Robert
Hall, Bo Harris, Harry Peel, David Skypeck, Jay Sheffield.
Premier Bassist Award: Tommy Cathey, Chris Chew, Richard Cushing, Tim
Goodwin, Dave Smith, John Williams.
Premier Guitarist Award: Tommy Burroughs, Luther Dickinson, Jack Holder,
Bobby Manuel, Calvin Newborn.
Premier String Player Award: Tommy Burroughs, Roy Brewer, Richard Ford,
Peter Hyrka, Eric Lewis.
Premier Keyboardist Award: Al Gamble, Ross Rice, Rick Steff, Tony Thomas,
Charlie Wood.
Premier Woodwind Player Award: Art Edmaiston, Fred Ford, Herman Green,
Lannie McMillan, Andrew Love, Mark Sallings, Kirk Smothers.
Premier Harmonica Player Award: James Cotton, Billy Gibson, Lyn Jones, Pete
Pederson, Mark Sallings.
Premier Brass Player Award: Tom Clary, Steve Dolan, Wayne Jackson, Reid
McCoy, Scott Thompson.
Premier Choir Award: Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church Choir directed
by Leo Davis, O'Landa Draper's Associates directed by Patrina Smith, Tate
County Singers, Tennessee Mass Choir directed by Mrs. Fannie Clark, The Voices
directed by Minister Kevin Davidson.
Premier Music Teacher Award: Tim Goodwin, Herman Green, Jeff Huddleston,
Bill McMath, James Robertson.
Award for Outstanding Achievement recognizes outstanding artistic or
technical achievement by an individual or group from our music community.
Nominees: Ardent Studios, Peter Guralnick, Tommie Pardue, David Porter,
Three 6 Mafia.
Award for Community Service recognizes an outstanding contribution to the
music community and/or community at large by an individual or group.
Nominees: Nancy Apple, The Blues Foundation, Bob Kelley, Larry Nager, Play
It Again Memphis.
The Premier Player Awards will be held at The Pyramid on Wednesday, March 31.
For ticket information, call NARAS at 525-1340.
