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       *Ashford & Simpson, Jerry Butler and Gamble & Huff are among the list of presenters announced for the 2006 R&B Foundation Pioneer Awards, to be held June 29at the Park Hyatt Bellevue in Philadelphia, PA.       

       Other newly-confirmed presenters include COO of Electric Factory Concerts Larry Magid; guitarist/singer Bonnie Raitt and renowned keyboardist Paul Shaffer. Smokey Robinson and Patti LaBelle were previously announced as hosts.       

       Previously announced individual honorees for the 2006 Pioneer Awards are Chubby Checker, Bettye LaVette, Barbara Mason and producer Thom Bell.       

       Groups who will be receiving the awards are the DelFonics and Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly. Lifetime Achievement honoree is Motown Founder Berry Gordy and the late Otis Redding will be recognized with the Legacy Tribute. Each individual honoree receives a $10,000 honorarium while groups share a $15,000 stipend.