Post by Emerald City on Sept 29, 2004 16:40:18 GMT -5
HEROES AND LEGENDS: THE BEAT GOES ON!
Smokey Robinson, with an aura of royalty, arrived a little later than others around 6:45PM amidst a flurry of camera flashes, and rolling video recorders, proclaiming, he's here to celebrate this worthy cause for the children, and also to present an award to my best friend." Like bees to a honeycomb, the crowd flocked to him as he strolled stylishly, down the same stately
staircase where singer Martha Reeves and many other celebrities had just preceded him, to the ballroom entrance.
Meanwhile, at the opposite side of the now festive ballroom, abuzz with excitement and eager anticipation, Berry Gordy has just made his grand entrance with throngs of well wishers already surrounding him. Like two prize fighters stepping towards center ring cheers mounting, cameras whirring, lights flashing it all came to a resounding crescendo when the two "best friends",
Smokey and Berry, finally clasped hands (no beating to the punch) and embraced! It was as if all the love, all the celebrity, all the amazing music created over the years was consummated in one defining moment. This was Motown, baby!
All the style and magic of the golden Motown years had arrived in the new millennium!
That was two years ago the setting of the 13th annual Heroes And Legends (HAL) Awards, Scholarship Presentation, and Awards Dinner hosted by Motown veteran songwriter Janie Bradford who is the HAL founder.
Now in its 15th year, HAL continues to reel in the core Motown family to participate in honoring individuals who have striven, and are striving to make a difference in the Entertainment, Sports and Business communities.
On Sunday, September 26, 2004, HAL will salute V.P. of NBC Music Martha Hanrahan; Star Direction President, Shelly Berger; actor Craig T. Nelson (Police Chief
of The District); Roz Ryan star of TV, Film, and Stage; Harry Weinger, V.P. of A&R for Universal Music; former Motown V.P. Iris Gordy; Gold Record Recording Artists, The Velvelettes; and Gold Record Recording Artist, Teena Marie; at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be the inimitable JoMarie Payton, with Co-Hosts James Avery, and Talbert Bartholomew.
While this promises to be a very festive occasion, no doubt the HAL Awards is taking on a deeper meaning for many as the original core Motown family continues to diminish. Johnny Bristol, Syreeta Wright, and Rick James all in attendance to honor Berry Gordy two years ago - have since passed on, as have many others.
As HAL offers salutations, it also awards scholarships to some well-deserving young people, and serves as a formal venue to pass off the baton. Says singer Scherrie Payne, "this is a worthy cause to help young people in the pursuit of education and excellence. Our future is determined by what happens with our youth who are faced with so many challenges and obstacles today."
This years entertainment will include The Originals, Gene Chandler, and Bobby Taylor.
* www.halawards.com/ *
Smokey Robinson, with an aura of royalty, arrived a little later than others around 6:45PM amidst a flurry of camera flashes, and rolling video recorders, proclaiming, he's here to celebrate this worthy cause for the children, and also to present an award to my best friend." Like bees to a honeycomb, the crowd flocked to him as he strolled stylishly, down the same stately
staircase where singer Martha Reeves and many other celebrities had just preceded him, to the ballroom entrance.
Meanwhile, at the opposite side of the now festive ballroom, abuzz with excitement and eager anticipation, Berry Gordy has just made his grand entrance with throngs of well wishers already surrounding him. Like two prize fighters stepping towards center ring cheers mounting, cameras whirring, lights flashing it all came to a resounding crescendo when the two "best friends",
Smokey and Berry, finally clasped hands (no beating to the punch) and embraced! It was as if all the love, all the celebrity, all the amazing music created over the years was consummated in one defining moment. This was Motown, baby!
All the style and magic of the golden Motown years had arrived in the new millennium!
That was two years ago the setting of the 13th annual Heroes And Legends (HAL) Awards, Scholarship Presentation, and Awards Dinner hosted by Motown veteran songwriter Janie Bradford who is the HAL founder.
Now in its 15th year, HAL continues to reel in the core Motown family to participate in honoring individuals who have striven, and are striving to make a difference in the Entertainment, Sports and Business communities.
On Sunday, September 26, 2004, HAL will salute V.P. of NBC Music Martha Hanrahan; Star Direction President, Shelly Berger; actor Craig T. Nelson (Police Chief
of The District); Roz Ryan star of TV, Film, and Stage; Harry Weinger, V.P. of A&R for Universal Music; former Motown V.P. Iris Gordy; Gold Record Recording Artists, The Velvelettes; and Gold Record Recording Artist, Teena Marie; at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be the inimitable JoMarie Payton, with Co-Hosts James Avery, and Talbert Bartholomew.
While this promises to be a very festive occasion, no doubt the HAL Awards is taking on a deeper meaning for many as the original core Motown family continues to diminish. Johnny Bristol, Syreeta Wright, and Rick James all in attendance to honor Berry Gordy two years ago - have since passed on, as have many others.
As HAL offers salutations, it also awards scholarships to some well-deserving young people, and serves as a formal venue to pass off the baton. Says singer Scherrie Payne, "this is a worthy cause to help young people in the pursuit of education and excellence. Our future is determined by what happens with our youth who are faced with so many challenges and obstacles today."
This years entertainment will include The Originals, Gene Chandler, and Bobby Taylor.
* www.halawards.com/ *
