City With Soul Awards, Jackson Music Awards and the Mississippi Gospel Music Awards Association Info
JACKSON MUSIC AWARDS ASSOCIATION, INC.
History: The Jackson Music Awards Association was founded in 1974. The awards association started with one division, Rhythm and Blues. In 1978, the association created a gospel division and started the Mississippi Gospel Music Awards.
Organizations Mission and Goals
Mission: TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ALL OUTSTANDING MISSISSIPPI RECORDING ARTIST AND PERFORMERS IN RHYTHM AND BLUES, HIP HOP, AND GOSPEL MUSIC ANNUALLY IN JACKSON MISSISSIPPI, TO PROMOTE MISSISSIPPI AND ITS TALENT INTERNATIONALLY.
Purpose: Mississippi has produced an abundance of musical talent. Blues and Gospel music has its roots in Mississippi. Mississippi is a top producer of stars in Rhythm and Blues, Hip Hop and Gospel Music. Our purpose is to bring attention to the accomplishments of these artists promoting pride in all Mississippians.
Jackson Music Awards Association, Inc.
Board of Directors
Jesse Thompson - Chairman
Lee King - Events Producer
Stan Branson – Industry Advisor
Tommy Marshall Williams – Board Member
Phyllis Robinson – Board Member
Patricia Ellis – Board Member
Percy Davis – Board Member
Donovan Scott – Board Member
Andrew Quinn – Board Member
Darrayl Simmons – Production Manager
Esther Wooten – Gospel Producer
Discussion of Need:
Mississippi’s contributions to the music industry have been the best-kept secret in America.
The Jackson Music Awards Association recognizes the accomplishment of outstanding national and local artist in Gospel, Hip Hop and Rhythm and Blues music. Mississippi is regarded now as the birthplace of Blues and Gospel and we want the world to know. Mississippi has a rich musical heritage and these awards shows help to educate and instill pride in our citizens. The educational benefits of this project will help prepare our young people for the challenges the business will bring. Young aspiring artist will be made aware of career opportunities in the music business right here in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2015, the association presented the first City with Soul Awards. This award show recognizes the individual, Businesses and organizations that give our city Soul.
Project Design:
The Jackson Music Awards Association, Inc. is a non- profit Mississippi Corporation and Federal 501c3, comprised of music industry professionals. This association features the Annual Jackson Music Awards and The Mississippi Gospel Music Awards. The Jackson Music Awards is now going into its 44th year and The Mississippi Gospel Music Awards into its 40th year. Awards are presented to outstanding Mississippians and Mississippi affiliated artists in the gospel music awards and to international, local Rhythm and Blues artist in the Jackson Music Awards. These shows are presented in elegant style.
The City with Soul Awards recognizes the Individual, Businesses and Organizations that give the City of Jackson Soul, Restaurants, Night Clubs, Beauty and Barber Shops, Nail Shops, Dance Groups, Marching Bands, Club DJs and many more. The nominees and winners are selected by a Public Vote through the JMA Website. The first year award honorees were Joe “Soop” Mitchell of Soops The Ultimate, Arvester Smith of Apollo Hair Designs, Bridgett Archer of Bridgett Archer Performing Arts Company and Geno Lee of The Big Apple Inn.
The Jackson Music awards show recognizes the accomplishments of R&B artist such as Johnny Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Dorothy Moore, Little Milton, Bobby Rush, Willie Clayton, Denise Lasalle and Hip Hop artist such as David Banner, Kamikaza, Boo the Boss Player and many more.
The Gospel Music Awards recognizes the accomplishments of artists such as The Mississippi Mass Choir, The Canton Spirituals, The Jackson Southernaires, The Christainaires, Dorothy Norwood and many more. These award shows are needed to highlight the accomplishments of outstanding Mississippians and to encourage young and upcoming artist.
The community will benefit by the education career opportunities these events will bring. Young musicians will benefit by knowing what avenues and people are available locally and nationally to help further their careers. Industry professionals in Artist Management, Publishing, Producing, Songwriting and Promotions will present classroom workshops.
Jesse Thompson and Bridgett Archer Performing Arts Company Dancers
Mass Media
Radio
The Mississippi Gospel Music Awards and the Jackson Music Awards receive extensive media coverage each year. Jackson Radio which is one of the events cosponsors, promotes the events with live mentions recorded commercials and interviews on talk and magazine radio shows. Gospel, Hip Hop and R&B radio stations in Meridian, Gulfport, Greenville, Greenwood, Columbus, Natchez and Hattiesburg all participate in promoting the events. Announcers from the participating radio station serve as presenters in various award categories.
Virtue and Founder Jesse Thompson – Mississippi Gospel Music Awards
Tito Jackson of the Jackson Five Little Milton Campbell last performance at the JMA
Television
All three major television stations participate in the events each year. WLBT (NBC Affiliate),
WAPT (ABC Affiliate) and WJTV (CBS Affiliate) covers all JMA events
The Jackson Advocate, Mississippi largest African American newspaper covers the event’s press conferences and awards programs.
The Clarion Ledger, Mississippi largest newspaper provides extensive coverage of the events with feature stories in its entertainment, Southern Style and Religious sections. The paper covers the live events and writes feature stories and the highlights and results of the winners.
Goals
1. Present the Annual City with Soul Awards show in Jackson, Mississippi each year.
2. Present the Annual Mississippi Gospel Music Awards show in Jackson, Mississippi each year.
3. Present the Annual Jackson Music Awards show in Jackson, Mississippi each Year.
Voting Members – The Jackson Music Awards Association, Inc. has 2 major voting Divisions, Gospel and R&B and Hip Hop. Association members in each division nominate and select the award winners each year.
FIRST BALLOT – The first ballot received by Active Voting Members is the Official Nominating Ballot. This Ballot comes in the form of an electronic link that will take you to the voting database. Each member makes their nominations and submit it through the database. The nominations are electronically tallied and the nominees with the highest numbers of nomination will make the final ballot
SECOND BALLOT – The second ballot consists of the official nominees in each category. Active Voting Members will receive the voting link electronically which will take you to the voting database. Members will make one selection only in each category and submit the ballot. The nominee with the highest number of votes will receive the award.
VOTING CRITERIA – All nominees must meet the category description (Example) Best Recording By A Female Artist, must be a single artist and Female. Members should use National and Local Charts, Airplay, Sales and overall Popularity in making their nominations and selections. (Links to National Charts are on the JMA Website)
Contact:
Jesse Thompson
J Thompson and Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 20005
Westland Station
Jackson, MS 39289-0005
601-946-0147
jessetho@gmail.com