Entertainment

A good match: Memphis and the Southern Entertainment Awards

The 8th Annual Southern Entertainment Awards (SEA) and festivities landed at the Cook Convention & Cannon Center, making the downtown venue the place to be for any aspiring artist.

Milton Howery III

by Milton Howery III
Special to the Tri-State Defender

The 8th Annual Southern Entertainment Awards (SEA) and festivities landed at the Cook Convention & Cannon Center this past weekend, making the downtown venue the place to be for any aspiring artist.

There were plenty of networking opportunities, music educational panels, and industry insiders, and not to mention the late night parties.

The discussion panels were intriguing and extremely informative.

The Southern Entertainment Awards were held in Memphis for the second straight year on March 3-6. This Friday night conversation brought together (l-r) DJ 007 (K97-FM), Kevin Shine, a Grammy nominated A&R from Atlanta, Shadonna Perry, owner of Zodiac, and Brian Stone manager of Zodiac. (Photos by Earl Stanback)

On the floor at SEA Welcome to Memphis – Ladies Edition at the Zodiac Lounge. The hosts were DJs Dimepiece, Daisy Dukes, Beanz, Nina Stakz, Big Sue & 730.

Ty Sanders, an A&R/Promotions Manager, said the SEA event, which included the Friday session at the Zodiac, may be “a huge step in restoring Memphis as a thriving music mecca.”

Ty Sanders, an A&R/Promotions Manager, led a session entitled “Indie Vs Major”. Ty discussed his experiences working with Indie artists in Memphis and major recording artists such as (rapper) Plies, Chris J, and a new artist signed to Universal Republic. Kevin Shine, a Grammy nominated A&R from Atlanta, known for his work with R. Kelly’s “Untitled” CD, and The F.I.R.M discussed details of songwriting. Kinfolk “Kia” Shine, Memphis based rapper and producer, made a surprise appearance. He discussed details of using your resources and building relationships as a way for independent artist to get their music out there. Other panelists included Kermit Henderson and Janie Jennings.

Memphis’ own Big Sue (K97 Music Director/ Core DJs) teamed up with DJ Dimepiece, and Nina Stax to show out-of-town guests how to party from an all female perspective at Zodiac Lounge.

In addition, the “Black Out” party at Minglewood Hall in Midtown on Saturday night allowed guest to mix and mingle, letting loose before the awards show on Sunday.

The excitement was tangible at the start of the awards show in the Cannon Center. Award winners included: DJ Scream – Number one DJ in the South; DJ Daisy Dukes – Female DJ of the Year; Yo Gotti – Indie Artist of the Year; Nappy Roots – Indie Group of the Year; Drumma Boy – Indie Producer of the Year; Millhouse Entertainment – Role Model of the Year.

The best performance of the evening goes to a group by the name of “One Thurd” from Macon, Ga. They were energetic, full of life, and had those in the crowd out of their seats.

Co-founder of the Southern Entertainment Awards, Janiro Hawkins II, said at the end of the evening that he would bring the awards show back to Memphis next year.

Memphis businesses that led to the success of the events include Minglewood Hall, Zodiac Lounge, and Club Senses, as they opened their doors for fun, entertainment and networking. Other supporters were DJ Care Bear, DJ Yung Rich, Heat DJs and Tone Yates.

Discussion panelist Ty Sanders says “

“Memphians greeted each other with nods of mutual respect this weekend as they all exchanged information amongst familiar faces,” said discussion panelist Sanders.

“This is the first event I have seen that unites DJs and the most forward moving people in the city to work together as one unit. This may be a huge step in restoring Memphis as a thriving music mecca.”

(For a complete list of the winners, visit http://southernentawards.wordpress.com.)

(Milton Howery III is the Black Entertainment Network (BET) marketing representative intern for Memphis.)