CMA recognizes the best entertainers in 36 different categories and gives prestigious awards to Chicago honorees for their special contributions to their industries.
The 40th Anniversary Chicago Music Awards and milestone celebration will make history by honoring the best of Chicagoland entertainers in all genres of music. The biggest event night in music in Chicago is set for Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the Congress Plaza Hotel and Convention Center located at 520 South Michigan Avenue, downtown Chicago. VIP Red Carpet and Reception starts at 6:00 p.m. Awards Showcase at 7:30 p.m. and After Awards Dance Party following the conclusion of Awards Ceremony.
The live in-person celebration of the Chicago Music Awards will be hosted by Chicago Emmy Award Journalist Art Norman, Radio Personality Bionce’ Foxx, and Chicago Artist Big EZ. The awards showcase will kick off with a riveting performance by Jesse White and the Jesse White Tumblers.
Slated to perform from ten genres are Pia Renee, Brad Jackson, Shades of Country, Doc Odie Payne, and The Payne Relief Blues Band, featuring Billy Branch, Toronzo Cannon, and Vance Kelly, Solid Shane with Baby J and Golden Street Band, Sounds of Slave, Boi Floyd, Smokey Da Bandit, Blaq Ice, Natalie Frakes, Trisha Clifton, featuring Ken the Messenger, Chai Tulani, Fred Cantu, Emi Tunabe, Aksel, and more.
One of the most coveted honors is Chicago’s founding father, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable Humanitarian/Community Award. It will be presented to Ms. Melody Spann Cooper- President of WVON 1690 Radio/Midway Broadcasting Inc., and Mr. Cesar Rolon-Latin.
Activist/philanthropist and Imagine Marketing Consultant. The Lifetime Honor will be given to the late Blues great Jimmy Johnson, who died shortly after his selection for this award. Additionally, The Chosen Few DJs and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, for the Jesse White Tumblers’ 63 years of outstanding contributions to entertainment in Chicago and the world will receive Lifetime Honor awards.
Doc Payne and The Payne Relief Blues Band with Billy Branch, Toronzo Cannon, and Vance Kelly will give a special tribute to three of the great blues entertainers. Jimmy Johnson, Syl Johnson, Sam Lay, and Pervis Spann who the world lost this year.
The Marcus Garvey History and Education Lifetime Award will be bestowed on journalist/historian Salim Muwakkil. The Martin’s International Awards of Honor will be given to Dr. Calvin “Doc” Flowers – Manatee Records for contributions to the music industry.
Three grocers for years of community and humanitarian contributions: Rogers Park Fruit Market for 50 years, Old World Market for 40 years, and LaFruteria Inc. for 30 years.
Following the grand finale of the awards ceremony, there will be a festive after awards dance party until the wee hours of the night featuring DJs Papa George, Sam Chatman, Terry Hunter, Cool Carlos, Eric “E.T.” Taylor, Montana, and more.
The 40th Anniversary Chicago Music Awards is sponsored by Johner T. WilsonDismore & Sholl LP, OPJ Records, LLC, Rogers Park, Fruit Marker, African Spectrum, La Fruteria, KOK Play, Insurance Center, Inc., Son of Thunder Inc., Herbert Witter Insurance Brokers, cbdliners.wakanna.com, Mills Realty Insurance Center, AAA Short Insurance Agency, and Old World Market.
Tickets can be purchased at the Chicago Music Awards website:
- V- VIP – Red Carpet, Reception, Dinner, and After Party= $150. The table of ten is $1,400. All dinner reservations must be paid in advance! Limited seats.
- VIP- Red Carpet, Reception, and After-Party = $125 at the door, and $100 in advance.
- General ticket = $60 at the door, and $40 now.
- After Party Tix= $50 at the door, and $30 now. The dance party starts at 10:00 p.m. following the awards grand finale.
Written by Omari Jahi
Images Courtesy of Omari Jahi – Used With Permission
