The Crusader Newspaper Group

40th Anniversary Chicago Music Awards Celebrates Chicago Entertainers

The 40th Anniversary Chicago Music Awards and milestone celebration will make history by honoring the best of Chicagoland entertainers in all genres of music. The biggest event night in music in Chicago is set for Saturday, April 2nd, 2022, at the Congress Plaza Hotel and Convention Center located at 520 S. Michigan Ave. VIP Red Carpet and Reception starts at 6:00 p.m. and Awards Showcase at 7:30 p.m. An After Awards Dance Party follows the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony.

The live in-person celebration of the Chicago Music Awards since the pandemic will be hosted by Chicago Emmy Award Journalist Art Norman, Radio Personality Bionce’ Foxx, and Chicago Artist Big EZ. The awards showcase will kick off with a riveting performance by Jesse White and the Jesse White Tumblers.

Slated to perform from ten genres are Pia Renee, Brad Jackson, Shades of Country, Doc Odie Payne and The Payne Relief Blues Band, featuring Billy Branch, Toronzo Cannon, and Vance Kelly, Solid Shane with Baby J and Golden Street Band, among others.

One of the most coveted honors is that of Chicago’s founding father, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable Humanitarian/Community Awards to be presented to Ms. Melody Spann Cooper-President of WVON 1690 Radio/Midway Broadcasting Inc., and Mr. Cesar Rolon-Latin Activist/Philanthropist and Imagine Marketing Consultant. The Lifetime Honors will be given to the late Blues Great Jimmy Johnson (who died shortly after his selection for this award), the Chosen Few DJs, and to the Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, for the Jesse White Tumblers’ 63 years of outstanding contributions to entertainment in Chicago and the world. There will be a special tribute to Jimmy Johnson, Syl Johnson, Sam Lay, and Pervis Spann, whom the world has lost this year.

The Marcus Garvey History and Education Lifetime Award will be bestowed on Journalist/Historian Salim Muwakkil. The Martin’s International Awards of Honor will be given to Dr. Calvin “Doc” Flowers – Manatee Records for contributions to the music industry. Three grocers for years of community and humanitarian contributions: Rogers Park Fruit Market for 50 years, Old World Market-40 years, and LaFruteria, Inc.- 30 years will also be honored.

Following the grand finale of the awards ceremony, there will be a festive After Awards Dance Party.

The 40th Anniversary Chicago Music Awards is sponsored by Johner T. Wilson/Dinsmore & Sholl LLP, OPJ Records, LLC, Rogers Park Fruit Market, African Spectrum, La Fruteria, KOK Play, Insurance Center, Inc., Son of Thunder Inc., Herbert Witter Insurance Brokers, cbdliners.wakanna.com, Mills Realty Insurance Center, AAA Short Insurance Agency and Old World Market.

Tickets for the 40th Anniversary Chicago Music Awards can be purchased at www.chicagomusicawards.org.

Elaine
Elaine Hegwood Bowen

Elaine Hegwood Bowen, M.S.J., is the Entertainment Editor for the Chicago Crusader. She is a National Newspaper Publishers Association ‘Entertainment Writing’ award winner, contributor to “Rust Belt Chicago” and the author of “Old School Adventures from Englewood: South Side of Chicago.” For info, Old School Adventures from Englewood—South Side of Chicago (lulu.com) or email: [email protected]

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