NEWS

R&B Hall wants $150,000 from Augusta for induction ceremony

Susan McCord
smccord@augustachronicle.com
This logo promoting Augusta as the permanent home of the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame is being circulated by organizers, although Augusta officials have yet to begin talks with the entity.

The National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame wants $150,000 to host an induction ceremony in Augusta next year.

Local spokesman Corey Washington sent an email to Augusta commissioners Tuesday that said the local government contribution of $150,000 would cover free tickets for all events to "maximize community involvement" and cover the cost of booking venues for the events.

Founder LaMont Robinson's plans to build the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame Museum and host a 2021 induction ceremony in Augusta have prompted questions from Augusta commissioners, particularly about what he wants from the city.

After the hall of fame sent several news releases stating Augusta has been selected and was the intended site of the hall and 2021 induction ceremony, Mayor Hardie Davis demanded the entity "cease and desist" making such claims.

“The premature press releases have done nothing to bring this idea to a constructive place, beyond the immediate reaction shown by the community,” Davis said.

Last week, the commission did not approve a motion to start talks with organizers. The hall responded with another news release listing the events it plans for an induction weekend, and new videos touting the project.

Robinson has shopped the museum plan in at least eight other cities, a few of which hosted induction ceremonies, but no museum has materialized, The Augusta Chronicle found.

Four ceremonies were held in Detroit, Robinson's home. The others were held in Cleveland and Canton, Ohio, Clarksdale, Miss., and Dearborn, Mich. According to the hall's Wikipedia page on Wednesday, "starting in 2021 the ceremonies will be held permanently in Augusta."

The hall's website said while its 2020 induction ceremony was canceled due to COVID-19, the event -- now listed at five days, Aug. 18-22, 2021 -- is "tentatively planned" in Augusta during Rhythm & Blues Music Matters Month.

The hall tweeted Saturday that "budgeting is down to a science at this point" for the induction ceremonies that it stated have been "sold out."

Washington's email to commissioners said the Augusta ceremony will get a reduced rate of $7,500 to book James Brown Arena if tickets are free. "Actually, most of the (city) money would go to book venues here in Augusta," he said. "The rest of the cost will be handled by the National R&B HOF.“

Since 2013, approximately 225 singers, groups, producers, radio personalities, journalists and others have been inducted into the hall of fame.

Last year, the hall posthumously inducted Aretha Franklin as well as Stevie Wonder, Ray Parker, Jr., the Mary Jane Girls, Stephanie Mills and others.

James Brown, whose longtime home makes Augusta an ideal site for the museum, Robinson said, was inducted at the first ceremony in 2013.

Names being considered for induction next year include Chaka Khan, the Isley Brothers, Patti LaBelle, Peabo Bryson, Toni Braxton and James Brown’s cape man Danny Ray, while Tyler Perry will receive a humanitarian award, Robinson has said.

Family members of inductees Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Little Richard and Brown have committed to attend the induction ceremony in Augusta, he said.

"We have people already asking about how they can attend this event from all over the US, as well as Europe," Washington said.

Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams, a long supporter of giving Brown greater recognition to increase tourism, was furious the commission declined to start negotiations last week. Asked about the $150,000 request, Williams said he was surprised because the city hasn't engaged with event organizers.

"We haven't talked to anybody, as far as I know," Williams said. "We ain't had no dialogue yet."

Williams said the city contribution would be worth it. "Look at how much more money we're going to make," he said. "It will draw people from all over the world."

Commissioner John Clarke said he opposed the city contributing funds for the induction ceremony.

"We knew he was going to do that," Clarke said. "He's wanting money and it's going to take government money, that's why."