EURweb.com - AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: Love Train to Rhythm and Blues Gala

*What happens when you cross a speeding locomotive executive with a rhythm and blues executive? A “Love Train” to Philadelphia filled with dynamic music legends to attend the 20th Annual Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Awards Show at the Kimmel Center in downtown Philadelphia.

The R&B “Love Train” was the brainchild of Kecia Babb-Jordan, director, sales and marketing, northeast corridor south, Amtrak, and Patty Wilson-Aden, R&B Foundation executive director, who greeted guests in the plush Amtrak Acela Lounge where they enjoyed a light breakfast before boarding the Acela train to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station to kick-off the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s 20th Anniversary and the 2008 Pioneer Awards.

All aboard the “Love Train” were past Pioneer Award honoree and host Darlene Love (the “Love” in “Train”), Jerry “Iceman” Butler (one of the co-hosts of the 2008 Pioneer Awards and past honoree), Sugar Pie DeSanto (2008 Pioneer Awards honoree), Chuck Jackson, Earl “Speedo” Carrol (Cadillacs), Gary U.S. Bonds, Maxine Brown, Freddie Jackson, Baby Washington, Jerry Blavet and Judy Tint (2008 Pioneer Awards co-chair), and the Father of the Hip Hop movement, Russell Simmons, who attended the Penn Station reception only to see revelers off and to pay respect to those who paved the way for his remarkable success.

Also greeting guests in the hospitality suite in both stations were Kendall A. Minter, Esq., Rhythm & Blues Foundation chairman, and Elka Slider, director of communications, Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress (in New York), and Traci S. Jackson, TSJ Consulting Group, and Khalid J. Patterson, media relations, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing (in Philly).

The train ride was a fabulous experience as the ride was as smooth as a baby’s bottom and the impeccable service was top notch all the way. While on board the “Love Train,” guests took full advantage of the healthy goodies in the bar car where they exchanged fond memories of days gone by.

The R&B “Love Train” left New York’s Penn Station at 10:30 am and arrived at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station at 1:00 pm where energized guests were met by a phalanx of photographers and Philly’s popular Mayor Michael A. Nutter and more excited onlookers. After a warm welcoming speech, Mayor Nutter Minter and Wilson-Aden with a Tiffany crystal heart for their contribution to rhythm and blues.

Following a private reception at RAE, one of Philly’s hottest new restaurants, guests checked into their five star hotels to rest up before attending a special screening of Wattstax and special tribute to Al Bell, former president of Stax Records, at The Clef Club on South Broad Street. African American history was made in 1972 when Isaac Hayes and other Stax artists filled a Los Angeles stadium for a concert commemorating the 7th anniversary of the Watts riots.

“Wattstax” is a film of the concert documenting the performances and reactions of the platform-shoed, dashiki-wearing fans with a desire to “preserve America’s soul.” A panel discussion followed the screening.

The Rhythm & Blues Foundation was founded in 1988 with the intention of preserving the genre’s historical and cultural importance, as well as lending a helping hand to those in need. On Tuesday, September 9, the Rhythm & Blues Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary and 15th Pioneer Awards at the Kimmel Center Verizon Hall in Philadelphia, PA.

Co-hosted by former Pioneer Award honorees Dionne Warwick, Bonnie Raitt, and Jerry “Iceman” Butler, along with Emmy winner Wayne Brady, the evening’s festivities started with a seven-minute musical montage conducted by musical director Bill Jolly and his hot buttered soulful orchestra. The thrilling tribute provided a memorable walk down R&B memory lane using all types of music genres -- drum, cotton field chants, gospel, jazz, blues, doo-woop, rock, soul, funk, hip-hop, rap and neo-soul.

Then, as visual images of Clara Ward, The Dixie Hummingbirds, B.B. King, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Count Basie and others flashed across an enormous screen, the robust big band sound resonated behind the voices of Raitt (“In the Mood”); Butler (“For Your Precious Love”); and Warwick (“Walk On By”).

Adding to the fascinating montage salute was consummate entertainer Brady whose invigorating rendition of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s World” and “Sex Machine” was a big crowd pleaser. And that was just the first electrifying 20 minutes!

Up next, R&B Foundation’s chairman Kendall A. Minter and executive director Patricia Wilson-Aden welcomed the Pioneer Awards audience and highlighted the Foundation’s 20 years mission followed by the presentation of the organization’s highest honor.

Recipients of the 2008 Pioneer Awards included Bill Withers, Teena Marie, Sugar Pie DeSanto (individual awards); Kool & The Gang and The Whispers (group awards); and Motown session superstars The Funk Brothers (sideman award).

Luminaries picking up special awards included Chaka Khan, recipient of the Foundation’s distinguished “Lifetime” achievement award; former Stax and Motown Records executive Al Bell, recipient of the Ahmet Ertegun “Leadership” award, newly named for the late Atlantic Records founder; and Lalah Hathaway who picked up the “Legacy” award on behalf of her legendary father Donny Hathaway.

The annual event also paid respect to members who are now in. To that end, former Spinner G.C. Cameron lovingly sang his heart out on his signature song, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” (later made popular by Boyz II Men), to a backdrop video with images of Isaac Hayes, Ertegun, Brown, and others who passed away over the past two years. Public Enemy’s Chuck D covered rap and hip-hop capped off with PE’s anthem “Fight the Power.”

In addition, Kenny Lattimore and Brady sang a salute to soul soldier Hathaway during which they hit a triple play with their raucous edition of “The Ghetto”; The Funk Brothers, accompanied by Kindred Family of Soul, hit it out of the park with a Motown medley; and the grand-slam of the evening was led by Neo-soul superstar Anthony Hamilton who performed “I Can’t Let Go.”

Hamilton was backed by an all-star choir consisting of Gary “U.S.” Bonds, Mabel John, Maxine Brown, Chuck Jackson, Kindred Family of Soul, Vivian Green, Jaguar Wright, Stax session guitarist Steve Cropper, Steve Jordan, Jean Wright, Betty Wright, Bunny Sigler, Warwick, Butler, Brady, Raitt and many others.

Other slammin’ performances hitting home runs with the festively dressed audience were honorees Bill Withers (performed after 15 years absence), The Whispers, Khan, Marie, The Funk Brothers and 76-year-old DeSanto, who stole the show when she performed “I Wanna Know” and threw in an amazingly limber forward flip that won her a standing ovation.

However, it was a rare appearance by the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who stole the show with a surprise presentation of a “Lifetime” achievement award to a tearful and grateful Chaka Khan.

The evening culminated in a royal flush, “I’ll Take You There,” featuring a once in a lifetime reunion music fest that included all of the performers participating in the evening’s program along with The Dixie Cups, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Kim Weston and John Oats.

The 2008 Pioneer Awards event co-chairs Octavius "Ted" Reid III, senior vice president, wealth advisor, global wealth management, Morgan Stanley, and Judy Tint, entertainment attorney and consultant in New York City, long-time members of the R&B Foundation board of directors, expressed their passion about the Pioneer Awards and the participation of this year's co-hosts.

"As an ardent supporter of the R&B Foundation, I am proud of this year's Pioneer Awards list of honorees. And our co-hosts this year add immeasurable class to the proceedings. I believe this year's event will go down as one of the best in its 20-year history," Reid commented.

“Our honorees, co-hosts and presenters represent rhythm and blues at its finest. The R&B Foundation has supported musicians in need and provided professional opportunities to artists who are still at the top of their game,” noted Tint. “The Pioneer Awards is a show like none other, honoring our legends and celebrating the rich past of R&B while looking toward its future. This year's event promises to be the most amazing 'family reunion' of all...wear your dancing shoes."

The Rhythm & Blues Foundation was founded in 1988 with the intention of preserving the genre’s historical and cultural importance, as well as providing a helping hand to those in need. For additional information on the Rhythm & Blues Foundation log on to www.rhythmblues.org. Media contact is A. Jalila Larsuel, JL Media Relations, 626-398-5028; JLMediapr@aol.com (“Love Train” Photo Credit: Bob Lott / “Pioneer Awards” Photo Credit: Adria Diane Hughes)

Philly's Mayor Michael A. Nutter meets R&B guests Darlene Love, Kendall A. Minter, Freddie Jackson, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Jerry Butler Judy Tint, Mayor Nutter and Jerry Blavet

Judy Tint, Jerry Butler, Earl Speedo Carrol, Gary U.S. Bonds, Maxine Brown, Chuck Jackson, Darlene Love, Kecia Babb- Jordan, Jerry Blavet, Kendall A. Minter