Dr. Bobby Jones To Receive Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award

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Dr. Bobby Jones speaks at the National Museum of African American Music

Dr. Bobby Jones will receive a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award during The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony on Feb. 1 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre during Grammy week.

This Special Merit Award is presented by vote of the Recording Academy’s National Trustees to performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.

A Gospel vocalist, TV host and radio host, Jones launched his entertainment career in 1976 on WSM-TV with the debut of Nashville Gospel. Building on its success, he became the host and executive producer of Bobby Jones Gospel, which premiered on Black Entertainment Television in 1980 and became the longest-running original series in cable television history.

Jones received his Bachelor of Science from Tennessee State University and his Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from Vanderbilt University. He was appointed Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica in 2006. As a musician, he has toured with the musical group New Life and the Nashville Super Choir, and built a discography spanning 14 releases, among other achievements. He’s received over 1,500 awards, including a Grammy for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group for “I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today.”

Frankie Beverly, The Clash, Dr. Bobby Jones, Taj Mahal, Prince, Roxanne Shante and Frankie Valli are also Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees; Erroll Garner, Glyn Johns and Tania León are the Trustees Award recipients; and Dr. Leo Beranek is the Technical Grammy Award honoree.

“It’s an amazing privilege to honor this eclectic group of music icons during the year’s biggest week in music,” says Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “Each of this year’s Special Merit Award recipients has left an indelible mark on music, from paving the way for others to innovation that forever has changed the trajectory of the musical landscape. We can’t wait to celebrate this group and their achievements in February.”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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