Black Music Honors A Night To Remember

The red carpet event was a big highlight of the evening, as many music legends graced the carpet, leading up to the Black Music Honors. Among those seen on the carpet were the legendary Jacksons, Montell Jordan, Vivian Green, Donnie McClurkin, LeToya Luckett, Rickey Smiley, Slick Rick, Kid N Play, Sevyn, Streeter, Carl Thomas, Jody Watley and many more.

Following the red carpet, Central City Productions paid tribute to a host of music greats, via a live taping television special, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville, TN.  Special performances included Avery Sunshine, Dave Hollister, Jonathan Butler, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kid N Play, Latice Crawford, Leela James, Pastor Marvin Winans, SWV, Da Brat, Sevyn Streeter, Shanice, Carl Thomas, Montell Jordan, Vivian Green, Silk, Tony Terry, DJ KAOS and more. 

The two-hour event acknowledged legendary African American artists who have influenced and made momentous musical contributions to African American culture and American music worldwide.  Radio personality and Grammy Award-winner, Rickey Smiley and actress LeToya Luckett, co-hosted the show, which is set to air on broadcast syndication, on September 2-30, 2017 and on Bounce TV, Tuesday, October 10, at 7 p.m. (ET).

The legendary group, The Jacksons, received the Lifetime Achievement in Music Award during the star-studded television taping. The celebrated legends took the stage to sing some of their greatest hits. Stellar Awards and Grammy® Award-winner Donnie McClurkin, received the Gospel Music Icon Award; the R&B group Guy, creators of the New Jack Swing sound, were given the R&B Soul Music Icon Award; Grammy® nominated rapper Slick Rick was presented with the Hip Hop/Rap Music Icon Award, Grammy® nominated-singer Oleta Adams received the Legends Award and Grammy® Award-winner Jody Watley was recognized with the Crossover Music Icon Award.

"I am pleased and thrilled to honor some of today's most influential and iconic music artists", said Don Jackson, founder of Central City Productions and executive producer of Black Music Honors. "The caliber of this year's honorees speaks to the incredible impact, breadth and depth of the music these artists have given to the world. I am truly excited about this year's show. From a legendary group like The Jacksons, to  Jody Watley, Donnie McClurkin, Slick Rick, Oleta Adams and Guy, we are paying tribute to extraordinary artists from various genres of the music industry". 

“I am just thankful, not just for the talent, but for the tenacity and the temerity to still do what I love despite all the obstacles,” said Watley. “And to inspire others to be you, to be yourself and to always believe in yourself.”

Singers Carl Thomas and Dave Hollister and the R&B group SWV, lifted their voices in tribute to Guy.

With a high-energy performance that kept the packed audience on its feet singing and dancing, the legendary group, The Jacksons, brought the house down by performing three of their hits. The group was also feted with a musical tribute by artists Silk, Next Town Down and Jon Jon.

“All we ever wanted to do was make music,” said Marlon Jackson, who revealed the group started out singing country music. “We are so grateful to our parents and without you [the fans] we wouldn’t be where we are today, and we’re thankful for that.”

Tito and Jackie Jackson also thanked the audience. All three brothers acknowledged the legacy of their iconic brother, The King of Pop Michael Jackson.