The Living Legends Foundation Honors Music Industry Professionals At 22nd Awards Gala

(Top row l-r) Michael Mauldin, Belinda Wilson, and Eddie Sims, Cynthia Johnson
(Bottom row l-r) Denise Brown Henderson, Hurricane Dave Smith, Pat Shields

By Darlene Donloe

The Living Legends Foundation recently celebrated its 27^th anniversary by honoring seven music industry professionals at its annual awards gala.

The 22^nd Annual Living Legends Awards Gala, held at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, paid tribute to Pat Shields, partner of Black Dot LLC, who received the A.D. Washington Chairman’s Award; Cynthia Johnson, senior vice president of promotion of Columbia Records, who nabbed the Music Label Executive Award; Michael Mauldin, CEO of Mauldin Brand Inc., who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award; Denise Brown Henderson, Esq., principal, who walked away with the first-ever Mike Bernardo Executive Award; Hurricane Dave Smith, vice president of programming and operations of Radio One Atlanta, who received the Jerry Boulding Radio Executive Award; Eddie Sims and Belinda Wilson, partners of Moonridge Entertainment International, who were awarded the Entrepreneur Award, and photographer and author Bruce W. Talamon, who recently released his book, Bruce W. Talamon Soul, R&B and Funk Photographs 1972-1982, received the Special Recognition Award.  The gala is one part of the Living Legends weekend that also included the 9^th Annual Music Industry Legends & Icons Party in the Park picnic.

Pat Shields said it was “flattering” to be recognized for her decades of work.

“I do it not for any fame or glory,” said Shields, who added it was funny to be on the other side of the carpet and camera. “I enjoy the work. I enjoy connecting people. I enjoy making things happen.  For somebody to then turn around and say I recognize you, I was overwhelmed. You have to do the work and stay on top of the new technologies. You’re constantly learning.”

Hurricane Dave Smith offered a piece of advice for anyone looking to get into the music industry.

“Stay in the game,” he said. “You’re going to have ups and downs and ins and outs. If you love it, stick with it and ultimately you win. I was in radio for 12 years before I got terminated the first time. And they say in this business there are two types of people - those that have been terminated and those who will be terminated. It’s just part of the game. You have to accept that. When it happens, you just have to pick yourself up and get back in the game. I’ve been doing this for 40 years. I’ve been watching people get a Living Legends award for some time. Everything in due time. I’m actually excited about it.”

“Understand and appreciate what it is you want to do and what you’re doing,” said Michael Mauldin about people interested in getting into the music business. “Be passionate and focus on what you do. Believe in yourself and recognize the people who came before you. As great as things can be, things can turn around. Learn to appreciate the art. Honestly, this has been my passion.  I love this business. I love black music. That is really my heart.”

Bruce W. Talamon

Bruce W. Talamon said he was appreciative of the acknowledgment.

“It’s a very special moment,” he said. “I really appreciate the recognition of the photography. A lot of people aren’t here anymore but maybe we can enjoy some of the images and who they were and what they were doing and how they were doing it well.”

Talamon has photographed some of music’s greatest artists.

“When you think of Aretha, Marvin Gaye, Maurice White, Natalie Cole, James Brown and Michael Jackson,” he said. “This is a time that will never come again. First time I’ve been here. First time invited and I’m excited to be an honoree.”

When asked what it meant to receive the Entrepreneur Award, Belinda Wilson offered advice.

“Work hard and pursue your dreams,” she said. “Don’t let anyone tell you-you can’t do it. Also, don’t believe your own hype.”

The mission of the Living Legends Foundation is to honor the best and the brightest in the ever-changing and evolving music and entertainment industries.  The foundation’s core mission is to honor pioneers and professionals who have broken new ground in the areas of broadcasting, recorded music, marketing, retail, publicity, publishing, digital, creative and philanthropy.

The Living Legends Foundation® Inc. was founded in 1991, by record industry execs Ray Harris, Barbara Lewis, C.C. Evans, and the late Jerry Boulding. Over the years, the organization has recognized and honored more than 100 leaders in music, radio, retail, and media.

The Living Legends Foundation honorary chairperson of the awards dinner and gala is Sylvia Rhone, president of Epic Records; and the event chairperson is Azim Rashid, senior vice president of promotion of Roc Nation.

Sylvia Rhone

“I’m here at Living Legends having a great time,” said Rhone. “I started in the business with a lot of people here tonight. It makes my heart warm when we see each other because we don’t get to see each other that much.”

When asked what three qualities make up a living legend, Rhone said, “passion, focus, and luck.”

Eddie Levert

Celebrities on hand included Kenny Lattimore, who performed and Eddie Levert of The O’Jays.

“It takes hard work, dedication and keeping your fans first and foremost in your career,” said Levert about the qualities of a living legend.

According to Levert, The O’Jays’ new single, Above The Law, will drop soon. 

He said, “It will probably be our last.”

Living Legends Foundation (LLF) is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. The Foundation works to promote and preserve the legacy of Black Music in America.

Over the years the LLF has expanded its mission from just recognizing the achievements of the trailblazers of yesterday and today's new trailblazers to providing assistance to those, who have fallen on hard times. Unfortunately, unlike today with corporate pension plans and 401K options, many of the early pioneers were left without healthcare, retirement funds and other benefits to sustain them when their careers were over. Therefore, the LLF has expanded its mission to provide financial assistance to some of its honorees and other industry members who had fallen on hard times. Over the years the LLF has provided almost $100,000 in assistance to those in need. While most of those selected by The Living Legends Foundation are primarily honored at the foundation's annual dinner, honorariums or other financial assistance is awarded to honorees that have a demonstrated need. Information and documentation regarding the financial need of an honoree is specifically requested at the time such an individual is nominated by the foundation to be honored. However, LLF has provided assistance to those who have not been honored but have shown a demonstrated need.