In addition to performances by the established stars as noted, the evening will also include a performance circumstance - a medley of songs associated with Mississippi and Mississippi artists - by a group of up and coming Mississippi-based artists who have been dubbed "Mississippi's future Grammy prospects" by the event organizers. This portion of the evening's program will showcase the talents of blues-rock artist Scott Albert Johnson; Soulfire, a rhythm and blues group as well as Sweet Water Jade, a female country vocal trio. The event will offer a salute to the numerous Grammy Award winners and nominees, from the state that gave the world Elvis Presley, B.
B. King, Muddy Waters, Faith Hill, John Lee Hooker, Tammy Wynette, Charlie Pride, Van Dyke Parks, Conway Twitty, Jimmie Lunceford and so many others. Since the inception of The Recording Academy's Grammy Award in 1958, a disproportionate number of winners - more than forty - and a vast number of nominees have been Mississippians.
In announcing the event, Governor Barbour noted, "Mississippi Grammy Night is a powerful and entertaining way to recognize our state's heritage as the 'Birthplace of America's Music.' This special event will showcase Mississippi artists with phenomenal talents and launch a new level of recognition for our distinct and unique musical culture." Beyond the artists set to perform at the gala, it is expected that a significant number of Mississippi recording artists will be in attendance to lend their support to their home state music initiatives.
Jon Hornyak, Senior Executive of The Recording Academy's Chapter commented, "The Recording Academy is very supportive of this celebration of Grammy winners and nominees from Mississippi. With over forty Grammy Award winners in a variety of genres, the state's incredible influence is undeniable." With the exception of Carola, all of the headline artists set to perform at the event were born in or are long-term residents of Mississippi.
Carola's involvement reflects the far-reaching impact of Mississippi music and the fact that she has enjoyed international success with hits songs associated with Elvis Presley. Born H ggkvist, but professionally known only by her first name, she represented Sweden three times in the Eurovision song contest, most recently just last year, and enjoyed tremendous chart success with an medley. She is one of Sweden's top musical exports since the advent of ABBA.
Jerry Lee Lewis, a long time resident of Hernando, MS, one of the very first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has enjoyed a phenomenal career that dates back to before the inception of the Grammy Awards. As a Records artist, he came to prominence under the same auspices as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins. He continues to draw audiences around the world and just last year released Last Man Standing, an album of duet performances where he was joined by Bruce Springsteen, B.
B. King, Little Richard, Eric Clapton, Toby Keith, Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Neil Young, Jimmy Page and others. He is a Grammy Award winner, a recipient of The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award and two of his recordings - "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" and "Great Balls of Fire" - are in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Williams Brothers today are comprised of Melvin Williams, Doug Williams, Henry Green and date back to 1960, just two years after Grammy's inception, when Leon " " Williams founded the group. They began recording in 1973 and, on their own Blackberry Records, the first black-owned and operated record label in Mississippi, have received six Grammy nominations as they continue to dominate the soul gospel genre with three No 1 Billboard singles and sixteen top ten albums. With their constant output of new recordings and original compositions, The Williams Brothers are widely considered the most prolific quartet within the entire gospel genre.
Marty was born in Philadelphia, MS just a few months prior to the first Grammy Award ceremony. He started performing bluegrass before his teen years began and worked with such greats of the genre as Lester Flatt, Vassar Clements and Doc Watson. became his country music mentor in 1980 when joined the Cash's backing band and started releasing singles and albums on his own within five years.
member of The Grand Opry for two decades, he is a past President of the Country Foundation, he continues to serve on the organization's board and has authored several scholarly works on country music history for the CMF Journal. He is a four time Grammy Award winner. The North Mississippi All Stars, a blues-rock trio that includes brothers Luther (guitar) and Cody Dickinson (drums) and Chris Chew (bass), has been a centerpiece of blues-rock within the jam band movement for more than ten years.
Their very first release, Shake Hands With Shorty was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album and they have since received two additional nominations. Luther and Cody are the sons of legendary music producer/session man Dickinson and grew up in Hernando County, MS where they were exposed to the area's endemic hill country blues as performed by R.L.
Burnside and Junior Kimbrough, both huge influences on the blues-infused musical direction the band would take. They are heard on the soundtrack to the film Black Snake Moan and are one of the headline bands booked to play this year's Bonaroo Festival.
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