PRESS RELEASE - IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 31, 2021
Jus’ Blues Celebrates 21st Annual Awards Conference
A Virtual Success
Jus’ Blues Celebrates 21st Annual Awards Conference
A Virtual Success
![Picture](/uploads/3/7/8/9/37892473/published/awards-flyer-2022.jpg?1630594333)
Atlanta, GA - Over 3000 and counting engaged Blues & Soul music aficionados tuned into the virtual production of the 2021 Blues Got a Soul Technology Conference and Jus’ Blues Music Awards on jusblues.tv, Facebook and YouTube over the weekend of August 28th and 29th.
The 2021 and 2020 events typically held with hundreds of guests live at BLUESVILLE in the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Tunica, MS became virtual as a result of the Jus’ Blues Planning Committee’s decision over the safety protocols for the fans, patrons and supporters who were on the fence about traveling during these pandemic times.
Surprisingly, the virtual viewership size was almost ten times the size of the “live” events since before the 2019 production. The virtual audience was filled with Jus’ Blues honorees of past and present, Blues & Soul music artists, music executives, supporting sponsors, nonprofits, and educational institutions, as well as students from high schools and colleges and of course Blues enthusiasts.
The Blues Got a Soul Virtual Technology Conference showcased the compelling topic, “From Timbuktu till Today, the Blues Will Never Die,” which covered a wide range of discussions. The event featured scholarly and music knowledgeable panelists that ranged from authors, actors, musicians, attorneys, tech specialists and entrepreneurs who brought their expertise and perspectives on issues that ranged from music and product distribution, online concerts, social media, copyrights, and how to maintain a sustainable career in today’s market and climate.
The panelists included Jonathan Mason, an attorney who served as moderator. Author, actor, educator, musician and producer Gaye Adegabalola, who brought interesting insights to the panel. Blues guitarist Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges and youthful, extraordinary Blues virtuoso Sean “Mack” McDonald who both added their working musician perspectives. Attorney, advisor and Mississippi land steward entrepreneur Annette Hollowell added legacy and cultural pieces to the facilitation. Gaye Adegabalola (formerly of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women), Hideaway, Mack and the soulful Blues duo Memphissippi Sounds even put on some impromptu performances.
Event sponsor Emery Wright was also a facilitator. Mr. Wright is Executive Director of Project South whose organization’s mission is cultivating social movements and contending with pressing and complicated social, economic, and political problems in the South.
The 2021 Jus’ Blues Music Awards kicked off with a different and special twist than years before. The hosts were the three beautiful Daughters of Legacy, namely Heather Hayes (daughter of Isaac Hayes), Namphuyo Aisha McCray (daughter of Betty Wright) and Keisha Jackson (daughter of Millie Jackson). They aptly navigated the direction of the production as their hosting duties were not only on-point and delightful but they also performed tribute songs to their legendary parents.
Performances were interspersed with previous years Jus’ Blues Music Awards Shows as well as “live from home” performances. However, it was the legendary 2021 Jus’ Blues Honorees who were the stars of the show. The 2021 Jus’ Blues Honorees were Jimmy Johnson, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Benny Latimore, Benjamin Wright, Leon Blue, Thornetta Davis, Jamell Richardson, Mary Lane, Kevin Burt, Lola Gulley, Gregg Wright, Lacee Reed, Cyreio Hughes and Major Handy. Fortunately, Jus’ Blues has made available on their website a very nice JBMA Magazine that gives background info on the honorees, tributes to those we’ve lost recently and advertisersing.
The acceptance speeches were filled with emotion, inspiration, humor and passion as many of the artists had never received recognition from the mainstream media or award shows though they’ve been popular in the genre and have performed for 50-60 years on the circuit.
Charles Mitchell, CEO & Founder of Jus’ Blues says, “Our goal was to bring comfort during an uncomfortable time in our society. Entertainment has always brought a smile to people’s faces. Our way of doing that is through reminding folks of some of the extraordinary Blues & Soul music talents who live to entertain their fan base but hadn’t had the opportunity lately because of the pandemic. Many people have come up with alternative ways of entertaining themselves. However, there is no comparison to the feel of live entertainment at a concert, festival, club, or special event. People have missed the artistry and the artists have certainly missed the audiences. The artists’ and our organization still drastically need Blues lovers financial support in keeping this important and unique artform alive and around for generations to come. This online fundraiser is our ongoing attempt to preserve what we’ve started.”
The 2021 and 2020 events typically held with hundreds of guests live at BLUESVILLE in the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Tunica, MS became virtual as a result of the Jus’ Blues Planning Committee’s decision over the safety protocols for the fans, patrons and supporters who were on the fence about traveling during these pandemic times.
Surprisingly, the virtual viewership size was almost ten times the size of the “live” events since before the 2019 production. The virtual audience was filled with Jus’ Blues honorees of past and present, Blues & Soul music artists, music executives, supporting sponsors, nonprofits, and educational institutions, as well as students from high schools and colleges and of course Blues enthusiasts.
The Blues Got a Soul Virtual Technology Conference showcased the compelling topic, “From Timbuktu till Today, the Blues Will Never Die,” which covered a wide range of discussions. The event featured scholarly and music knowledgeable panelists that ranged from authors, actors, musicians, attorneys, tech specialists and entrepreneurs who brought their expertise and perspectives on issues that ranged from music and product distribution, online concerts, social media, copyrights, and how to maintain a sustainable career in today’s market and climate.
The panelists included Jonathan Mason, an attorney who served as moderator. Author, actor, educator, musician and producer Gaye Adegabalola, who brought interesting insights to the panel. Blues guitarist Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges and youthful, extraordinary Blues virtuoso Sean “Mack” McDonald who both added their working musician perspectives. Attorney, advisor and Mississippi land steward entrepreneur Annette Hollowell added legacy and cultural pieces to the facilitation. Gaye Adegabalola (formerly of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women), Hideaway, Mack and the soulful Blues duo Memphissippi Sounds even put on some impromptu performances.
Event sponsor Emery Wright was also a facilitator. Mr. Wright is Executive Director of Project South whose organization’s mission is cultivating social movements and contending with pressing and complicated social, economic, and political problems in the South.
The 2021 Jus’ Blues Music Awards kicked off with a different and special twist than years before. The hosts were the three beautiful Daughters of Legacy, namely Heather Hayes (daughter of Isaac Hayes), Namphuyo Aisha McCray (daughter of Betty Wright) and Keisha Jackson (daughter of Millie Jackson). They aptly navigated the direction of the production as their hosting duties were not only on-point and delightful but they also performed tribute songs to their legendary parents.
Performances were interspersed with previous years Jus’ Blues Music Awards Shows as well as “live from home” performances. However, it was the legendary 2021 Jus’ Blues Honorees who were the stars of the show. The 2021 Jus’ Blues Honorees were Jimmy Johnson, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Benny Latimore, Benjamin Wright, Leon Blue, Thornetta Davis, Jamell Richardson, Mary Lane, Kevin Burt, Lola Gulley, Gregg Wright, Lacee Reed, Cyreio Hughes and Major Handy. Fortunately, Jus’ Blues has made available on their website a very nice JBMA Magazine that gives background info on the honorees, tributes to those we’ve lost recently and advertisersing.
The acceptance speeches were filled with emotion, inspiration, humor and passion as many of the artists had never received recognition from the mainstream media or award shows though they’ve been popular in the genre and have performed for 50-60 years on the circuit.
Charles Mitchell, CEO & Founder of Jus’ Blues says, “Our goal was to bring comfort during an uncomfortable time in our society. Entertainment has always brought a smile to people’s faces. Our way of doing that is through reminding folks of some of the extraordinary Blues & Soul music talents who live to entertain their fan base but hadn’t had the opportunity lately because of the pandemic. Many people have come up with alternative ways of entertaining themselves. However, there is no comparison to the feel of live entertainment at a concert, festival, club, or special event. People have missed the artistry and the artists have certainly missed the audiences. The artists’ and our organization still drastically need Blues lovers financial support in keeping this important and unique artform alive and around for generations to come. This online fundraiser is our ongoing attempt to preserve what we’ve started.”