The Hut’s Achievement Awards cancelled this year
The month of October is usually when The Hut’s Annual Achievement Award takes place. People have been calling me to know when it would happen. I am sad to report that it is not happening this year.
This all started 17 years ago, when the late Bruce Neil came up with the idea to pay a tribute to our local musicians by honouring them during a special day at the Army Navy and Air Force in Lennoxville.
A committee was formed to make it an annual event to pay a tribute to different, but all deserving musicians. With the passing of Bruce Neil leaving the organizer’s chair empty, wife Patricia Nobes stepped right in as chairman of the organizing committee.
Every year, some musicians were receiving the Achievement Award in recognition of their talent and musical achievement. The house was packed with peers, friends, fans, and family showing up to salute the work and share the pride of these dedicated people.
In the last few Achievement Awards, we even had the chance to see musicians coming from Ontario and even United States to get involved and share the recipients’ pride at this wonderful celebration.
For the last few years, previous honorees received a bulletin with the name of possible candidates (musicians) and were invited to vote for three of the musicians on this list and add suggestions of other possible candidates. This is how the winners were selected.
These votes were compiled and the three people with the most votes became the year’s recipients of the award. In the spring, Pat mailed the bulletin to the musicians, asking them to cast their votes and return them in the pre-address and stamped envelope included with the bulletin.
Surprisingly she didn’t get too many returns out of the 36 (previous 36 honorees) musicians who were supposed to get back to her. Not enough R.S.V.P. to show that there was still an interest in the event.
Reached by phone, Pat Neil explained, “In organizing this year’s Music Achievement Award the facts made it evident that this event, created by ‘my Bruce’ has run its course.”
Musicians who have been honoured, where were you? Negligence, procrastination, no interest? What about the other 60-plus musicians, who are also deserving of the Achievement Award recognizing their talent?
I sent my votes in. I don’t know who else did. I don’t know who else didn’t, but this is not the important matter here. I am not being judgmental. The problem comes with people not caring enough to think about the others, who would probably have enjoyed the honour.
Back in June, Pat sent a letter to all the voters to let them know that without the interest and support needed, a successful presentation was not possible. Organizing this year’s event was impossible without collaboration.
Bruce Neil and his wife Pat always loved country music and supported the musicians. It is this passion that started it in the first place. And I know for a fact that the passion is still alive.
Pat is very pleased and grateful for the success of the event. She assured me that Bruce always greatly appreciated the support and participation of all the musicians who came and took part over the years. After all, it was his passion that made it so special.
Sam Evans (musician and emcee of this event) once told me about the Achievement Awards: “Bruce Neil started the whole thing but now it evolved into something more. I find this day is a lot more than just about the awards. It is the day when all the brothers and sisters in music get together to celebrate and share their passion for music.”
I am wondering what ever happened to the brotherhood of these local musicians! It was such a great celebration.
Meanwhile on the Nashville scene Music icon Kenny Rogers will be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame on October 24 at 1 p.m., the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced. The induction ceremony will take place one day in advance of the all-star ‘All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration’ taking place at Bridgestone Arena.
Rogers will receive the 80th star on the Music City Walk of Fame. Inductees are recognized for their significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song or other industry collaboration.
Kenny Rogers has sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, topped the charts for nearly six decades and did so much more such as acting and professional photography.
The farewell celebration on October 25 will feature the final live performance together by Rogers and Dolly Parton, and other guests will include The Flaming Lips, Jamey Johnson, Elle King, Alison Krauss, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Idina Menzel, Reba Mcentire, Chris Stapleton, and Wynonna Judd.
In Rogers’ nearly six decades on the charts, the Country Music Hall of Fame member and pop superstar has notched chart-topping songs, including ‘The Gambler,’ ‘Lady,’ ‘Islands In The Stream,’ ‘Lucille,’ ‘Coward of the County,’ ‘She Believes In Me,’ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town,’ ‘We’ve Got Tonight,’ ‘Daytime Friends,’ ‘Through The Years,’ ‘Love Will Turn You Around,’ ‘You Decorated My Life,’ ‘Crazy,’ ‘Every Time Two Fools Collide,’ and ‘Buy Me A Rose.’
Rare are the people who don’t have a favourite Kenny Roger’s song.