| WHAT: |
The Blues Ball "Hallelujah Homecoming" ... Celebrating fifteen years of dedication and support to our incredible Memphis Musicians.
This year we dedicate the Ball to Isaac Hayes, our Honorary Chairman and performer for each of our fourteen years. A special tribute will honor Thomas Boggs, our Food and Beverage Chairman for many years. The Blues Ball has indeed lost two wonderful friends.
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| WHEN: |
September 27, 2008 |
| WHERE: |
We are taking over two city blocks of downtown Memphis - fencing them in with a six foot fence - which will surround the Gibson Guitar Factory; The Westin Memphis Beale Street and their multi-level parking garage; two of Memphis' newest clubs, including Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero and the Red Rooster Bar. This year we will celebrate our "Hallelujah Homecoming..." in this enormous street party.
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WHY: |
To celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of THE BLUES BALL which has developed into the largest annual ball in America.
For the past fourteen years, THE BLUES BALL/ MEMPHIS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION has celebrated our great musical history while supporting numerous charities such as Porter-Leath Children's Center/PaLs, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LeBonheur Children's Medical Center, NARAS/MusiCares, Madonna Learning Center, Variety Children's Charities, The Baddour Center, and The Bodine School, while also providing funding for Memphis Musicians including insurance support and Memphis area music scholarships.
Before THE BLUES BALL, Memphis music was “vacant, and without local and national passion,” according to the legendary songwriter, Soul Man David Porter. However, since 1994, THE BLUES BALL has saluted the renowned talents of such remarkable artists as B. B. King; Rufus Thomas; Al Green; The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis; Sid Selvidge; Soul Man Isaac Hayes; The BarKays; Jimmy Dickinson; Bobby Blue Bland; Teenie Hodges; Jason D. Williams; James Blackwood; The Angelic Voices of Faith; The Staple Sisters; The Jordanaires; Sam the Sham; Eddie Floyd; Little Milton; Booker T & the MG’s, among others.
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| HOW: |
Funds are raised through Sponsor packages, table reservations, and a silent auction, including our famous exclusive “art guitars.” Sponsorship packages are available. Sponsor tables are $50,000, $25,000, and $15,000. General admission tables are $10,000, $5,000, $3,500, and $2,500. The event is always an instant sellout as we receive unparalleled cooperation and support from the entire Memphis community. |
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| WHO: |
Founder/General Chairman: Pat Kerr Tigrett
Honorary Committee: The Memphis Horns; Priscilla Presley; Jack Soden; Dan Akyroyd; Steve Cropper; Duck Dunn; Knox, and Jerry Phillips; Isaac Hayes; David Porter; "Sam the Sham" Samudio; Jerry Lee Lewis; Willie Mitchell; Carla & Marvell Thomas; Ruby Wilson; Kurt Clayton; Preston Shannon; Jason D. Williams; and The BarKays (among others).
Blues Ball Committees: Over 200 remarkable people serve in various capacities: Catherine & Henry Juszkiewicz, Diane & Frederick W. Smith, Barbara & John Moore, Kerr & Melanie Tigrett, Allison & Richard Smith, Jana & John Pettey, Paula & Bruce Crow, Bridget & Phil Trenary, Susan & Steve Hedgepeth, Shirley & Dan Mullally, Susan & Alan Graf, Brisa Samudio, Brittney Rogers, Donna & Mike Glenn, Boni & Meredith McCullar, Claire & Mac Winker, Rollin Riggs, Ellis Chappell, Randa Rosenblum, Greg Hnedak & Judy Hall, Kirk & Ann Craig Bobo, Kent Devantier, Chelsea & Al Gossett, Marilyn & Ken Masterson, Jenny & Rob Carter, C. C. Myers, Sandra & Chuck Rutledge, Clarke Jones, Jeff Stacy, Valerie & John Elkington, Jeanne & Don Pemberton, Suzanne & Andy Hamm, Lori & Mark Guyton, Cheri & David DelBrocco, Charlie Ryan, Ellen & Jon Hornyak, and Ellen & John Calipari, (among others).
Current/Past Corporate Sponsors: Gibson Musical Instruments, FedEx, Northwest Airlines, Graceland/Elvis Presley Enterprises, Pinnacle Airlines/Northwest Airlink, Stanford Group Company, Delta Wholesale Liquors, Harrah's, The Westin on Beale, Sam Phillips Recording, Fleming's, Morgan Keegan, AT&T Wireless, Crow's Truck Service, Star Distributors, Crown Distributing, and Patron (among others).
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