The Memphis Chapter celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2008 and continued to expand its programs and community service to members across the region stretching from Memphis and the Mid-South throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. This wide-ranging area encompasses the deepest roots of American music and the birthplaces of blues, jazz, ragtime, R&B, Cajun, zydeco, and rock and roll.
In Memphis, music isn't simply art or industry — it's a way of life, and has been for generations. There's a vibrant history here that draws musicians and fans from across the globe. And while the Memphis Chapter pays tribute to that rich heritage, our focus is on the future and creating programs and educational opportunities that keep pace with today's ever-changing entertainment environment.
When the Chapter was founded in 1973, the Memphis Sound was one of popular music's top brands thanks to local greats such as Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Ann Peebles, and Elvis Presley. Louisiana was experiencing a major cultural revival, spearheaded by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2009. Mississippi was helping to keep authentic R&B and Southern gospel music alive in the thriving recording center of Jackson.
The music that inspired the founding of the Chapter continues to inspire new generations. Thankfully, many of those legends are still with us and still making their mark including 51st GRAMMY nominees Al Green, Irma Thomas and Dr. John. The Memphis Chapter and its members have also been heavily involved in new media projects such as Academy Award-nominated director Craig Brewer's "$5 Cover," a webisode series showcasing nationally recognized local talents such as North Mississippi Allstars drummer Cody Dickinson, rapper Al Kapone and singer/songwriter/upright bassist Amy LaVere.
For the region's next class of music professionals, the Chapter offers student memberships through The Academy's GRAMMY University Network and produces workshops and educational programs such as the Indie Impact Conference and GRAMMY Career Day. In recognition of its regional stature, the Chapter has a full-time staff member based in New Orleans helping to bring even more Academy events and programs to the Gulf Coast region while the membership continues to grow there.
The Chapter's outreach goes beyond the professional music community to government and business entities. One example is the Memphis Chapter's major role in the annual Mississippi Celebrating Its GRAMMY Legacy event, the Birthplace of America's Music, hosted by Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.). And when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005, the Memphis Chapter took action in helping to locate replacement instruments for displaced Gulf Coast musicians and helping to raise funds for the MusiCares Hurricane Relief 2005. The Chapter also partnered with the GRAMMY Foundation to present the all-star tribute event, New Orleans Rising, in Los Angeles and New Orleans.
The Chapter also serves as an advocate for the region's music and has produced events such as its Premier Player Awards, which honors working musicians, as well as its black-tie Heroes and Recording Academy Honors programs, both of which pay homage to local industry pioneers and innovators. Past honorees have included Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown; songwriters/producers Isaac Hayes and David Porter; instrumental powerhouses Booker T & The MGs and the Meters; producer Willie Mitchell; New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas; GRAMMY-winning artist Justin Timberlake; and the late Ike Turner. The Chapter has also further expanded its advocacy role in producing the award-winning documentary, Sounds Of Memphis, which was drawn from the GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY Living Histories interview archives.
"It's all about making connections," says Chapter Senior Executive Director Jon Hornyak. "That's the key to everything we do, whether honoring our region's deeply shared musical roots, creating new networking opportunities for today's musicians and recording professionals or introducing talented high school and college students to those professionals and living legends in our workshops and seminars. We're still the birthplace of American music, and new music is being born all the time. It's our job to make sure the Memphis Chapter inspires, teaches and creates opportunities for our region's future generation of music greats."
For more information, or to become involved, please call 901.525.1340.
Officers
President
Scott BomarVice President
Jeff PowellSecretary
Susan Marshall
Trustees
Cynthia Simien
Jody Stephens
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Governors
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Scott Barretta
James Bateman Brady Blade Kim Bledsoe-Lloyd Scott Bomar Betsie Brown Tonya Butler Kurt Clayton Richard Cushing David Egan David Fleischman Al Kapone Ashlye Keaton Jonathan Kirkscey Niko Lyras |
Susan Marshall
Shannon McNally Boo Mitchell Bruce Newman
Johnny Palazzotto Anne Pitts Jeff Powell Kim Richardson Dan Russo Brandon Seavers
Ken Shepherd Cynthia Simien Paul Speer Kim Stephens Marvell Thomas |
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Advisors
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Erin Frankenheimer
Maurice "Mo Better" Rivera |
Ph: 901.525.1340
Fx: 901.521.6553
memphis@GRAMMY.com
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Jul 29, 2010
Chapter Information
Senior Executive Director - Jon Hornyak
President - Scott Bomar
Staff:
Sr. Executive Director
Senior Project Coordinator
Reid Wick
Reid Wick
Project Coordinator
Lucia Kaminsky
Lucia Kaminsky
GRAMMY U Representative
Mesha Crump
Mesha Crump
News
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Jul 29, 2010 -
Jul 28, 2010 -
Jul 28, 2010
Chapter Media
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November 17, 2009
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October 14, 2009
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July 9, 2010
