Being on the nominating committee for the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards is truly awesome, but the icing on the cake is my invitation to the party. Every year, on the Sunday night before Thanksgiving, City Beat holds the city's premier event. This year the award ceremony was held at the historic Emery Theater in Over-the-Rhine. Jim dressed in his best suit and looked very handsome in his top hat. Nick sported a Mohawk and was outfitted in his best black. I wore an iridescent blouse over a flowing black skirt and my favorite cowboy boots.
The evening started with an opening set by former members of James Brown's band, including Cincinnati's favorite, Bootsey Collins. The singer, a JB impersonator, was right on and blew the crowd away with his back flips and dance moves. The entire set was a tribute to JB and King Records.
Local bands filled in the night and awards were given. However, the highlight for everyone present was Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. I remember them from listening to music with my parents and grandparents but most of the crowd, including Nick, knew his voice and band from the movie "Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou". The crowd included all ages and all genres of music from folk to hip hot but the room went silent when Ralph sang his accapella version of "Oh Death". You could have heard a pin drop.
Although the venue was not quite ready for prime time and had no heat or bathrooms, the finale with Ralph Stanley will be something to treasure for many, many years.
No comments:
Post a Comment