R&B Foundation Sets Stage For 20th Pioneer Awards
April 30, 2008
- RB Hip-Hop
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| CHAKA KHAN |
By Gail Mitchell, L.A.
Chaka Khan, Bill Withers, Kool & the Gang and the Funk Brothers are among the legendary acts who will be honored at the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s 20th anniversary Pioneer Awards. The ceremony will take place Sept. 9 in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
During a press conference today (April 30) at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, R&B Foundation board member Kenneth Gamble and Pioneer Awards ambassador Teddy Pendergrass announced the 2008 slate of honorees:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Chaka Khan
Individual Artists Awards: Teena Marie, Bill Withers and Sugar Pie DeSanto
Group Awards: Kool & the Gang and The Whispers
Sidemen Award: The Funk Brothers
Legacy Award: Donny Hathaway
Leadership Award: Al Bell of Stax Records
R&B Foundation executive director Patricia Wilson Aden also accepted $10,000 from The Grammy Foundation Grant Program. The funds will be used to establish the R&B Foundation’s archival program, encompassing 20 years’ worth of videos, oral histories, rare photographs and other R&B memorabilia.
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