The Saint Louis Music Awards, sponsored by KDHX and Playback STL (with a few pats on the rump by the American) that went down Tuesday night at Mississippi Nights on the Landing was a real love fest. Thugalicious rappers like Trust and Top Dolla of the All Stars were bumped elbows with gospel man Praiz’. Praiz’ and his lovely wife Candace Watt were sitting over in no-alcohol land with none other than Big Sexy, Maxine Ebert. Old-school hip-hoppers Chip and Pierre of 1 Dime had good seats and a pitcher of cold beer and were shouting out at all the ladies who came through, and a lot of them did – Alice Prince, Shaunnessi (looking phyne with almost a Beatles ‘do), Brooke Holiday, those sharp sisters Blue and Shan Lewis with Burrell all repping Breathe and of course the star of the night on the hip-hop side, Tiffany Foxx. Tiffany had a gang of support dancers who had the men crying when they went up there and shook their sh*t. The white sisters got a good look at what we do onstage in our clubs, and they were loving it. There was even an adorable family vibe, as Tiffany showed up her with mom and grandma (we call her Grummo)and Shaunnessi had her mom and some auntie-looking ladies, all in their Shaunnessi long sleeves. I know I’m leaving people out. I peeped Kevin Johnson, who gets the scene into the Post. Our own Bill Beene and Chris King got up and delivered some intros. Orlando “Pretty Boy” Watson was in the house and digging on it. I heard Nimmy Russell dipped in and out. Elder blues statesman from the community Bennie Smith was the headliner, and he got a lot of love. White musicians keep a lot of love and respect alive for our elders, don’t think they don’t. Tom “Papa” Ray, the Soul Selector from KDHX (and honcho at Vintage Vinyl, which has a big block party coming up) gave Bennie an introduction fit for a blues king, calling attention to what a treasure it was to have a man in the house who has been holding down the blues in this town for 50 years. It was a good night to watch black folks in action with white folks who want to connect, artistically and creatively. Tom Hall, a red-headed white man who got up on that stage and played some bad, sad, beautiful acoustic blues, was trading CDs with Praiz’ and they were falling all over each other with the heartfelt props. Yeah, racism is everywhere and one good night in a club won’t save the world, but it was one night in St. Louis when the Civil War was over, hearts and minds were open, the music was diverse and good, and it felt like some new things were getting started that might be a little better, a little more connected up, than the old things.
The Winners
Some award winners of note: Reggae: Murder City Players (people and critics pick). Electric bl:ues Soulard Blues Band (the people), Bennie Smith (the critics). Acoustic blues: Bottoms Up Blues Gang (the people), Tom Hall (the critics).
Traditional gospel: In Unison Choir (the people), Dello Thedford & the Gospel Symphonic Choir (the critics). Contemporary gospel: my boy Praiz’ (people and critics pick).
Traditional jazz: Brian Sullivan Quartet (the people), Willie Akins (the critics). Experimental jazz: Dave Stone Trio (people and critics pick). Vocal jazz: Erin Bode (people and critics pick).
R&B: Kim Massie and the Solid Senders (people and critics pick). Neosoul: Nekko Smith (the people), Isis Jones (the critics) (where was Coltrane on the list?).
Male MC: Big Will (the people), Jia Davis (the critics). Female MC: Ebony Eyez (people and critics pick). Producer: TrakStarz (people and critics pick). Hip-hop artist: DJ Crucial (the people), All Stars (the critics).
It is a shame that two female rappers had their moms there and one had her grandma, yet Ebony won both awards and didn’t even show up (alone, without mama or grandma) to get them. Guess it was a busy night for girlfriend!