SFIMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME
The South Florida Indie Music Awards Hall of Fame was established in 2019 with the focus on Gospel Artists who made a major impact on the Gospel Music Industry in Florida.
The Music Hall of Fame will be very intricate part of the Music Awards. It will have a cultural impact, educational and historical components with artifacts related to the culture of the African American Music community in Florida that features Gospel, Jazz, Blues, RnB, Caribbean, Rock n Roll, Hip-Hop/Rap and Spoken Word.
We are currently an online establishment until we can obtain a brick and mortar facility to house our collections.
We are planning an annual exhibition with the African American Research Library where we will tell the history of the African American Music here in Florida. We will title the Exhibition "It's Been A Long Time Coming."
This Exhibition will immerse visitors in the history and sounds of the African Diaspora, its origins, its traditions and the lives and voices of the many people who have contributed to its rich and various experiences of the Afrocentric Culture. We will have artifacts such as photographs, recorded sounds, archived video and interactive touch screens.
As we evolve, we will expand on the foundation with annually updated currents, state of the art music which documents significant artists and their achievements and events.
The Hall of Fame will have educational programs, workshops and creative classes. We will engage schools, students and families across Florida, the United States and abroad.
LIFETIME LEGENDARY AWARD
BETTY WRIGHT
Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter and background vocalist. Beginning her professional career in the late 1960s as a teenager, Wright rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as "Clean Up Woman" and "Tonight Is the Night".
Born in Miami, Florida, as Bessie Regina Norris on December 21, 1953, Wright was the youngest of seven children of Rosa Akins Braddy-Wright and her second husband, McArthur Norris. Wright began her professional career at the age of two when her siblings formed the Echoes of Joy, a gospel group. Wright contributed to vocals on the group's first album, released in 1956. Wright and her siblings performed together until 1965, when she was 11 years old. Following the group's break-up, Wright, who was already using the name Betty Wright, decided to switch musical styles from gospel to rhythm and blues, singing in local talent shows until she was spotted by a Miami record label owner, who signed her to her first label (Deep City Records) in 1966, when she was 12. She released the singles "Thank You Baby" and "Paralyzed", which found Wright local fame in Miami.
THE EXCALIBUR AWARD
DON MIZELL
Don Mizell was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Swarthmore College and a JD from Harvard Law School. Mr. Mizell has been active in the music and entertainment industry for two decades. A few of Mr. Mizell’s accomplishments include:
Development of the successful marketing strategy for creation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday; Author of Stevie Wonder’s speech launching the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday; The first NAACP Image Award for Broadcasting (1981); Served as Interim Head of Business Development/Consumer Products Division of the Walt Disney Company, responsible for marketing the Little Mermaid music products line; Wrote and narrated a documentary film entitled “Ghana, Land of the Gold Coast,” a MonuMint Films Production; Produced and directed a documentary, “Black Across the Tracks: Old Black Fort Lauderdale,” Broward County Florida Library, African American Research Library, Oral History Preservation Project, 2002.
In 2005 an album that Mr. Mizell participated in producing, “Genius Loves Company”, won the Grammy for Best Album of the Year (2004). His earlier music credits also includes production of the Little Mermaid and the Little Mermaid II. (2000)
TRAILBLAZER AWARD
CANTON JONES
In 2001, Jones launched his own gospel record label, CAJO International and independently released his first album, 2002's 20 Years, 3 Months & 12 Days, which chronicled his journey to salvation.
He released his second independent album in 2004: The Password and that same year, collaborated with Lil iROCC Williams on Williams's 2004 debut album, and wrote and performed a song, "You and Me", for the compilation Holy Hip-Hop:Taking the Gospel to the Streets.
At this time he was now a member of the choir of World Changers International Church and a solo performance at the church attracted the attention of the church's youth pastor, who asked Jones to help him in the youth department. Not long after that, he was signed to the church's Arrow Records label, an affiliate of EMI.
He released his major label debut, Love Jones, in mid-2005, which debuted at number 11 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart. Following the album's success, Jones toured the US with over 200 appearances that year.
In November 2005, The Password was re-released nationally at the end of 2005 as The Password: Access Granted and earned him two Grammy nominations. His success in 2005 saw him listed in The Atlanta Business Journal at number 19 in their 40 Under 40 chart of Atlanta's rising stars.
On April 5, 2008, he released Kingdom Business. In 2009, he released Kingdom Business, Pt. 2, and Kingdom Business, Pt. 3 followed in 2010.
Jones's fifth and most highly anticipated album for him and for CAJO Records, Dominionaire, was released on February 1, 2011. Three singles were released prior to the album's release, "In da Club", "Window", and "G.O.D.", only the first two listed were released on iTunes.
Later in 2011 Dominionaire Remixed was released, featuring artists like D-MAUB, Messenja and Erica Cumbo. In early 2012 he released a live album and DVD. In October 2012 Kingdom Business Pt. 4 was released, along with a mixtape, All Day Jesus, and a five-song EP, Short Fuse.
On February 18, 2014, Jones released an 18-track mixtape, Lust, Drugs, and Gospel in an effort to assist those who have issues related to lust and drugs
2022 HUMANITARIUM AWARDS
MELTON MUSTAFA
Melton Mustafa-Trumpet player extraordinaire, arranger/composer, producer, and educator. Melton has performed with some of the top names in JAZZ including the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Mustafa was the Director of Jazz Studies at Florida Memorial University where he taught Music Theory, Jazz Composition and other jazz related courses. He also produced his Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival at Florida Memorial University which still takes place
JOAN CARTWRIGHT
Dr. Joan Cartwright is an American author and jazz, blues and pop singer and songwriter. From 2006 to 2009, she published nine books. She is the subject of an article published in the Fondazione Adkins- Chiti Women in Jazz Donne in Jazz.
JOEY GILMORE
JOEY GILMORE
Joshua Gilmore better known as Joey, is an American electric blues and soul blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He shared the stage with James Brown, Etta James, Bobby Bland, Little Milton, and Little Johnny Taylor among others. Gilmore's best known tracks include "Blues All Over You".
Gilmore born in Ocala, Florida, self-taught on the guitar at an early age, Gilmore initially headed a band of youths who appeared in local clubs. In the 1960s, Gilmore relocated to South Florida. Joey recorded in the 1970s, including his debut single "Somebody Done Took My Baby And Gone" / "Do It To Me One More Time" (1971) Joey's album So Good to be Bad (1989), released by Pandisc Records reached number 80 US Billboard R&B album chart.
WALL OF FAME
Melvin Dawson
Sister Rose and the Cornelus Brothers
Sister Rose and the Cornelus Brothers
Rev. Melvin Dawson & The Genesis Fellowship Delegation (formerly known as Genesis Ensemble) was established in December 1987, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Signing their first National Recording Deal in 1991, with Tyscot Records (Indianapolis, IN), GFD has recorded 4 projects: -Signs of the Time (1992) -Messages of Hope (1994) -Rooted and Grounded (1996, *Marlee Records) -Stand Still (2000, *M’Aryelle Records) In addition to their own recordings, Genesis Fellowship Delegation members have also assisted Rev. Dawson in 6 recording projects produced on his record label, KMA Records between (2006-2016).
Sister Rose and the Cornelus Brothers
Sister Rose and the Cornelus Brothers
Sister Rose and the Cornelus Brothers
Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose was an American family soul singing group, from Dania Beach, Florida, United States. It was formed in 1970 and gained popularity in the early 1970s. It was composed of siblings Carter Cornelius, Eddie Cornelius, and Rose Cornelius, who were joined by sister, Billie Jo Cornelius, in 1972. Cleveland E. Barrett (a childhood friend), an original member of the group, was killed in a car accident before their chart success. One of their hit singles "Too Late to Turn Back Now" https://youtu.be/i8Whtxcw8oU
Urban Mystic
Urban Mystic
Urban Mystic
Brandon Oneal Williams, better known by his stage name Urban Mystic, is an American recording artist from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. He is best known for his hit singles, "Where Were You" and "I Refuse". Mystic inked a record deal with indie label SoBe Entertainment and released his debut album Ghetto Revelations in 2004. His second album Ghetto Revelations II was released in 2006. His third album GRIII: Old School 2 Nu Skool was released in 2009. His fourth album Ghetto Revelations IV: Love Intervention was released in 2013. His fifth album Soulful Classics was released in 2015. Urban Mystic is a graduate of Dillard High School of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Eugene Cross
Urban Mystic
Urban Mystic
The Legendary Eugene Cross was the lead singer and manager of the Smiling Jubilaires of Fort Lauderdale, FL whom he recorded several albums with, which included several hits such as Down At the Cross, The Lord Will Make A Way, Shine on Me, A Mother's Journey and many more. After a long musical career with the Smiling Jubilaires, Eugene retired from the group.
Eugene has graced the stage with some of the following, Doc McKenzie, Joe Ligon of the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Harvey Watkins of the Canton Spirituals just to name a few.
Before his passing in 2018, Gene decided to follow his dream and bring his children together to create the Cross Family. The band members are Eugene Cross (Lead Singer), Angela Cross (Vocals), Andre Cross (Bass Player/Vocals), Corey Drummond (Keyboards/ Vocals), Tyrone Cross (Vocals), Chanie McIntyre (Vocals), Maurice Cross (Drums/Vocals), Henry Brand (Guitar), and Sharonda Brand (Vocals).
The Cross Family released their first single "Walk All Over" this year and released our second single "Thank You Lord". The legacy of Gene Cross continues through his children.
WALL OF FAME
JOE FISHER
Joe Fisher studied at Columbia School of Broadcasting from there went into radio where he had a stunning career as a disc jockey on WRBD 1470 Rockin Big Daddy's Radio in the 1970's.
Mr. Fisher set a standard that paved the way for other DJ's to follow in his footsteps.