Originally published October 9, 2019
On October 4th, 2019, the Living Legends Foundation celebrated the most talented individuals in the music and entertainment industry at their 23rd Living Legends Annual Award Gala, hosted at Taglyan. It was a stunning evening.
Image: Koi Sojer/Snap’N U Photos
This is the sixth year in a row that the Living Legend Foundation has held this event with us, and we are very excited and proud to be a part of their ceremony.
Event chairpersons for the gala were husband-and-wife team Ray Chew and Vivian Scott Chew of Chew Entertainment, and DeDe McGuire, host of radio show DeDe in the Morning, served as the event’s MC. Special guest appearances included award winners Cathy Hughes, Kelly Rowland, Bobby Brown, Israel Houghton, YoYo, and Freda Payne, among others.
Attendees also enjoyed a special performance by Tito Jackson, who sang his new solo single, “One Way Street”.
Honorees for the 23rd Annual Award Gala included:
- Dyana Williams, co-founder of Black Music Month and CEO at Influence Entertainment (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Sidney Miller, Black Radio Exclusive founder and publisher (A.D. Washington Chairman’s Award)
- Maurice White, eOne Entertainment Group vice president (Music Label Executive Award)
- Sheila Coates, founder and creator of Be Your Own Brand (Entrepreneur Award)
- Dedra N. Tate, president and CEO of Unlimited Contacts (Mike Bernardo Executive Award)
- Hymen Childs, Service Broadcast Group owner and operator (Broadcast Icon Award)
- Karen Lee, W&W Public Relations senior VP (Media Executive Award)
- Phil Thornton, senior vice president/general manager at RCA Inspiration (Gospel Music Executive Award)
- Frank Ski, WVEE Atlanta personality and journalist (Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award)
- Steve Hegwood, Core Communications president and CEO (Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award)
Founded by veteran music executive Ray Harris, the Living Legends Foundation raises funds to provide financial assistance to industry pioneers who have found themselves in need. “Many former music industry employees worked during a time when 401Ks and retirement packages were not available—and even today, in this era of downsizing and mergers, the industry’s lack of long-term career stability has become more commonplace.” (eurweb.com) The foundation also raises funds for scholarships for college students who are seeking careers within the industry.
Presenter Kelly Rowland with Honoree Phil Thornton | Image: Koi Sojer/Snap’N U Photos
The Living Legends Foundation’s executive team is currently headed up by chairman David Linton and president Varnell Johnson.
Our team at Taglyan is always happy to host this outstanding and exciting event, especially after so many years of working together. If you’re planning an upcoming gala of your own, or any other type of event, please feel free to contact us for availability and information.
Honoree Sheila Coates and Ray Harris, founder of the LLF | Image: Koi Sojer/Snap ‘N U Photos
22nd Annual Living Legends Awards Show Held At Taglyan
Originally published October 22, 2018
Pat Shields, “Hurricane” Dave Smith, and Cynthia Johnson were among this year’s honorees at the 22nd annual Living Legends Foundation Award show held at Taglyan on October 5th, 2018.
The evening was held to not only honor those who have made progress in the entertainment industry, but to also help raise proceeds to help future entrepreneurs that need help to make their dreams happen within this industry and others.
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David C. Linton, Chairman of the Living Legends Foundation, told the LA Sentinal that this year’s event was perhaps the best in the foundation’s history. He went on to tell the Sentinel that “the attendance surpassed previous years and included people not only from radio and records, but all areas of entertainment. It is a testament to the achievements of the honorees as well as the great work by the organization. I would like to thank all of our sponsors, board members, volunteers, and everyone who came out to make this event a record-setting year.”
Paying tribute to the honorees this year was famed R&B singer Kenny Lattimore, lead vocalist for The O’Jays Eddie Levert, and lead vocalist for the soul group Tower of Power, Lenny Williams.
The red carpet event included world-class catering and a cocktail hour as the attendees celebrated the distinguished guests for the evening.
The awards show also paid tribute to the late Aretha Franklin with performances by recording artist Margo Thunder, the award-winning recording artist and writer Reggie Calloway, Williams, and Lattimore.
The Living Legends Foundation seeks to preserve the legacy of those who have helped shape the broadcast and recording industry in America. Those contributors that may receive less attention than others deserve to have their contributions recognized, which is exactly what the foundation seeks to promote. The foundation offers mentoring and educational opportunities for those who need assistance in their industry. This is part of a strategy to expand the efforts of the foundation.
The event was a huge success, as attendees from various industries were able to come together to celebrate those who have made great contributions over the years. From musical performances to memorable speeches, this event brought the community together to honor those who have paved the way for others.
Honorees Celebrated At The Living Legends Foundation’s 21st Awards Gala At Taglyan
Originally published October 17, 2017
Taglyan was once again proud to host the Living Legends Foundation’s Awards Show and Dinner gala on October 5th, 2017. We have hosted this fabulous event two years in a row, and we’re honored to be part of this special occasion for a third year.
The event was hosted by veteran broadcasting and media personality Rolonda Watts, with entertainment by Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett, as well as Sheléa, who was hand-picked by Quincy Jones.
Although it was the third year for Taglyan to help celebrate this event, it was actually the 21st Awards Show and Dinner for the esteemed 26-year-old Living Legends Foundation, which recognizes and honors individuals who the Foundation believes to have set themselves apart by being outstanding mentors, trailblazers, pioneers, or trendsetters in the music industry.
This year’s honorees included:
- Larry Jackson, Head of Original Music Content of Apple Music (Digital Music Executive Award)
- Ray Chew and Vivian Scott Chew, partners at Chew Entertainment (Creative Visionary Award)
- Steve Crumbley, senior vice president of programming manager of Apex Media Charleston (Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award)
- Don Jackson, founder of Central City Productions (Broadcast Icon Award)
- Varnell Johnson, CEO of Junes Entertainment and LLF President (Chairman’s Award)
- Morace Landy, chief marketing strategist of Empire Distribution (Music Label Executive Award)
- Tyrone “Fly Ty” Williams, chairman of the Board of Brooklyn United and former chairman & CEO of Cold Chillin’ Records (Hip-Hop Visionary Award)
“I’ve been asked to be honored many times in my career, but this is the only time that I’ve accepted,” Tyrone “Fly Ty” Williams said in an interview, “But when I got the call from the Living Legends Foundation, saying they wanted to honor me with the Hip-Hop Visionary Award honor, I greatly accepted and began to reflect on how difficult it was to bring hip-hop to the world.”
Similarly, Morace Landy said of his award, “I have awards kind of around the house—I don’t put up a lot. But this one means a lot, so I want to put it up in the studio.”
The Living Legends Foundation’s 21st Awards Show and Dinner gala was a hugely successful evening. The world-class accommodations and amenities provided by our team at Taglyan served as the perfect setting for the Living Legends Foundation’s annual red-carpet event, and the evening was a memorable experience for everyone in attendance.
Music Legends Honored At Living Legends Foundation’s 20th Awards Dinner & Gala
Originally published October 20, 2016
Image: Steven S. Williams
On October 6th, the Living Legends Foundation held its 25thAnniversary and 20th Awards Dinner and Gala at Taglyan Complex, bringing together a wealth of big names in the music and radio industries to honor some of the business’ most influential figures.
Founded in 1991, the Living Legends Foundation was created to honor trailblazers, trendsetters, and iconic individuals in the worlds of music and radio. As the organization’s website notes, the Living Legends Foundation is, “dedicated to recognizing those members of the entertainment industry whose efforts and contributions have paved the way for many in the entertainment industry, especially, minorities and women.”
This year’s Living Legends Foundation honorees included:
- Miller London, CEO of Russell Street Entertainment/CEG Music and LLF board member (Chairman’s Award)
- Tony Gray, founder and president of Gray Communications (Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award)
- Sheila Eldridge, CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment (Entrepreneur Award)
- Regina Jones, founder and editor of SOUL newspaper (Legacy Award in celebration of SOUL newspaper’s 50th anniversary)
- Jamie Foster Brown, founder of Sister 2 Sister magazine (Media Executive Award)
- Larry Khan, Senior Vice President of Urban Promotion at Interscope Records (Music Label Executive Award)
- Herb Trawick, creator, executive producer, and co-host of Pensado’s Place (Creative Visionary Award)
- Ray Harris, founder of the Living Legends Foundation (special award by foundation chairman David C. Linton)
The gala was hosted by radio personality “Jammin” Jay Michaels of San Diego’s Magic 92.3, with performances by American Idol winner and Motown recording artist La’Porsha Renae, R&B artist and songwriter Guordan Banks, and jazz saxophonist Rob White. The event was filled with celebrities and famous faces such as comedian/television host Loni Love, journalist Rolanda Watts, actor Ro Brooks, and musicians like Angelo Moore and Freda Payne among many more.
By all accounts, the Living Legends Foundation’s 25th Anniversary and 20th Annual Awards Gala and Dinner was a huge success. Taglyan Complex’s world-class accommodations provided the perfect backdrop for the foundation’s annual gathering of music industry heavyweights and entertainment superstars, honoring some of the best and brightest the industry has to offer.
Living Legends Honors Industry Greats at Taglyan Complex
Originally published October 10, 2015
On October 9th, 2015, Taglyan Complex welcomed many of the music industry’s most influential executives, publishers, recording artists, and radio DJs for the 19th annual Living Legends Foundations awards ceremony. Hosted by well-known radio personality “Jammin’” Jay Michaels and co-chaired by Brenda Andrews and Jon Platt, the new CEO of Warner Chappell, the awards show featured electric performances by Motown recording artist Stacy Barthe, Hidden Beach’s Angie Fisher, and Reed Shannon of Motown The Musical. Pat Shields served as event committee chairperson of the event.
Before a star-studded audience which included Robert “Kool” Bell of Kool & The Gang, Ro Brooks from television’s The Haves and the Have Nots, actress Paula Newsone of NCIS, and news anchor Rolonda Watts, Living Legends recognized music’s most important individuals.
Among others, honorees included:
- Ruben Rodriguez, CEO of Ruben Rodriguez Entertainment (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Kendall Minter, CEO of Minter & Associates (Chairman’s Award)
- Troy Carter, CEO and founder of Atom Factory (Entrepreneur Award)
- Radio Personality Jerry Boulding (better known as “Big Boy” on L.A.’s Real 92.3)
- Jeffrey Harleston, general counsel and executive vice president of Universal Music Group (Music Label Executive Award)
About The Living Legends Foundation
Founded in Los Angeles in 1991 by Ray Harris and Jerry Boulding, The Living Legends Foundation (LLF) honors the trailblazers, trendsetters, teachers and mentors in the music and radio industry, especially those who have helped pave the way for minorities and women in the entertainment industry. The Living Legends Foundation also recognizes many of the industry’s “unsung heroes” such as executives and producers, and provides financial assistance to those honorees who have fallen on hard times. Since its creation, the LLF has provided nearly $100,000 in assistance.