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Premier Player Awards Honor Local Musicians

" This year the Governors Award (the highest award that can be presented by a NARAS chapter) and a special tribute spotlighting his lifetime achievements will be presented to Bland. "


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>Memphis Mojo

Staff Report

A host of familiar names top the list of nominees for the 11th annual Premier Player Awards, the highest honor the Memphis chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences bestows.

The awards show begins at 7 p.m. April 10 at the New Daisy Theatre on Beale Street, with a reception preceding at 6 p.m. at Willie Mitchell's Rhythm & Blues Club. The awards show will feature live performances by many of the nominees.

The highlight of the evening comes with the presentation of the Governor's Award, which this year will go to Bobby "Blue" Bland. Awards will be presented in 13 other categories. The nominees are:

Band
Big Ass Truck, Garrison Star Band, Kevin Paige Band, Riverbluff Clan Female vocalist
Nancy Apple, Joyce Cobb, Debbie Jamison, Susan Marshall-Powell, Reba Russell Male vocalist
Jimmy Davis, Jimi Jamison, Kevin Paige, Todd Snider, Steve Wiggins Songwriter
Jerry Hayes, John Kilzer, Todd Snider, Keith Sykes, Mary Unobsky Guitar
Lily Afshar, Tommy Burroughs, Luther Dickinson, Jack Holder, Michael Toles Keyboards
Ross Rice, Gene Rush, Rick Steff, Tony Thomas, Ernest Williamson Bass (electric and upright)
John Chiego, Richard Cushing, Tim Goodwin, Dave Smith, Paul Taylor Drums/percussion
Robert Barnett, Robert Hall, Steve Mergen, Greg Morrow, Steve Potts Brass
Wayne Jackson, Reid McCoy, Joe Mulherin, David Spencer, Scott Thompson Woodwinds
James Gholson, Herman Green, Lannie McMillan, Pat Register, Jim Spake Strings
Tommy Burroughs, Kevin Case, Peter Hyrka, Peter Spurbeck, Kevin Tallant Producer
Jim Dickinson, Jim Gaines, John Hampton, Danny Jones, Jeff Powell Audio Engineer
Erik Flettrich, John Hampton, Dawn Hopkins, Danny Jones, Don Smith, Mark Yoshida

The Memphis chapter of NARAS is one of seven in the country and serves a region stretching from West Tennessee to New Orleans. The 350 members of the Memphis Chapter of NARAS, who also present the Grammy Awards, will vote to determine the winners.

For more information, call (901) 525-1340.