So— This was the 2nd Annual Soultracks Awards and I must say it was a vast improvement and step up from last year. First off- a much more suited venue- Max Fisher Music Center- it provided a friendly and personal vibe, great acoustics and a more professional setting.
Secondly- the talent this year performance wise was outstanding.
I had 3 artists up for ‘Best New Artist’- Melissa Young, Heston and April Hill. Heston was also up for ‘Best Male Vocalist’.
A-Town took over D-Town that’s for sure….Even the host- Jodine from Jodine’s Corner contributed to the A – Talent! She was fire! She shared duties with broadcast legend and voice of Detroit Pistons- Mason! He was great….
So without further adieu!
The Highlights:
1) Heston’s performance of ‘Good Morning America’ – I had never seen him perform with a band- only acoustic. He wowed the audience. Was chilling.
2) Being picked up at airport sharing ride w. Dain Harris, David Nathan, and Mike Dawson.
3) Bonding with Chris Rob
4) Meeting Blues legends Bobby Rush and Otis Clay who were in town for the Blues and Boogie Woogie Festival
5) Maya Azucena’s dress
6) Seeing Jodine host the awards again- love her spirit!
7) Meeting Sy Smith for the first time. Her performance was spectacular. King Britt has been talking about her forever. So have many others so it was a true pleasure and honor.
Watching April Hill accept her award for ‘Best New Artist’- she was so shocked it was cute.
9) Seeing Phil Perry – he took it to another level- can’t touch him!
10) Seeing Richard Dunn(Muddy Waters) all dressed up!
11) Having Drake Phifer buy me a drink but forgetting to give it to me!
12) A sneak peak of new songs hot off the boards from Maya Azucena’s new album. Wow- that’s all I’m going to say. I think me,, Charles, Anita and Tom feel the same.
13) Monica Blaire’s ‘Get Up’- Her performance and incredible energy. Although she swears I have more energy than her– Not!
14) Having people come up to me all night saying ‘Thank You’ for all the good work and that I’m admired and that I’ve contributed so much to the Soul Movement. That’s really not just validation but made me feel that my hard work has not gone unnoticed.
15) PJ Morton coming up to me saying he’s heard a lot of great things about me.
16) Meeting Big Dose again after all these years– He still looks the same!
17) Finally meeting Frank Sheffield after phone and emails back and forth.
18) Cloud 9– Left Detroit and now in Atlanta- Always a pleasure.
19) Breakfast with Maya, Heston and Myles Anthony
20) Closing down the after party at Jazz Cafe- Me, Chris Rob, Maya and Charles White…Lights on, music stopped and we still weren’t ready and we still were dancing.
21) Liv Warfield’s magnificent performance!
