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Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will declare Juneteenth "Mavis Staples Day" in recognition of the Chicago singer’s legendary career and lifelong dedication to civil rights. Staples will accept the honor at a press conference in Chicago June 19, where she will also perform selections from her latest album, We’ll Never Turn Back. "For decades, Mavis Staples has been singing her heart out, using her extraordinary gift to bear witness to racial inequality and injustice," Quinn said. "As we commemorate Juneteenth, it is most appropriate to honor Ms. Staples for her courageous participation in the civil rights movement and for her continuing artistry, which inspires new generations to love music and freedom." CONGRATULATIONS MAVIS! Mavis Staples Day announcement >>
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are rolling on the first leg of their US/Europe summer tour. The group overcame a series of travel complications to launch the trek June 8 at the Jackson Hole Film Festival in Wyoming, followed by the Detroit Festival of the Arts and a special performance for the ONE campaign in Washington, D.C. Another early highlight of the tour was an appearance on NPR's Talk of The Nation June 12, the same day the compilation Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur - featuring SLRAS and Aerosmith performing "Give Peace A Chance" - hit stores. The band is collaborating with many charitable organizations on the tour, including ninemillion.org, Witness, the Peace Corps, Immigrant Rights, Save The Children and more. This summer marks SLRAS’ first full US tour with Grace Ampomah, wife of leader Reuben M. Koroma and a major focus of the group’s award-winning documentary. The film airs on PBS June 26 and will be distributed nationwide via Red Envelope Entertainment, a Netflix subsidiary, in early August.
Australia's inaugural Bluestar Awards honored Charlie Musselwhite at a May 17 ceremony held in connection with the Broadbeach Festival in Australia. Musselwhite, who toured down under last fall, was voted best international harmonica player by Australian blues fans. The Bluestar Awards were founded as an annual event to recognize the best of blues music in Australia and beyond. The honor came one week after Musselwhite swept the Blues Music Awards in Memphis with wins in four categories. |
Illinois Lt. Governor Declares Mavis Staples Day
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars On The Road And Beyond
Charlie Musselwhite Voted Best International Harmonica Player in Australian Bluestar Awards