While producers of the Soul Train Awards are prepping for their annual big event, the headline is that all acts will perform “100 percent live.”
The celebration takes place on Nov. 8 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas (it airs Dec. 1 on BET).
Confirmed performers are Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Gladys Knight, Tamar Braxton, American Idol’s Candice Glover and Ruben Studdard, Warren G. and Big Daddy Kane, among others. (So far I don’t see any shaky names. They’re pretty strong performers.)
Among the nominees: Kendrick Lamar leads with a tally of six including best new artist, album of the year and song of the year. Just behind Kendrick are Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Chris Brown, Tamar Braxton and Janelle Monae, each with five noms.
Presenters scheduled to appear include Bill Bellamy, Boris Kodjoe, Vanessa A. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Kandi Burruss, Michelle Williams and Vanilla Ice.
Actor and comedian Anthony Anderson will host the show with Wendy Williams handling red carpet duties for the broadcast.
The event airms to spotlight a legacy that goes back decades to syndicated dance show Soul Train’s first broadcast in 1971. Says Executive Producer Bart Phillips: “So many legends were made on the infamous Soul Train stage. The music is the core and that is what keeps Soul Train relevant today, both with the people who grew up running to their TVs on Saturday morning and to today’s youth.”
With that in mind, the bill brings together artists who’ll inevitably pay homage to what came before them. Joss Stone, for example, will participate in a “Blue Eyed Soul” segment during the show, while Wale will incorporate hip hop into the live band’s interstitial repertoire and beyond.
Wonder what sort of impact live singing will have on other Award ceremonies.
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