Carla Thomas, Debbie Litch, Frank Bluestein receive Tennessee arts honors
The honors keep coming from Carla Thomas, the Stax recording artist recognized as the "Queen of Memphis Soul."
Less than two weeks after she received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville during the 20th annual Americana Awards, Thomas was named Oct. 4 as one of the recipients of this year's Governor's Arts Awards.
Also among this year's honorees are Frank Bluestein, a highly influential fine arts teacher for many years at Germantown High School, and Debbie Litch, the longtime arts advocate who is executive director of Theatre Memphis, the stage organization this year celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Established in 1971 and presented in conjunction with the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Governor's Arts Awards are "Tennessee's highest honor in the arts, and are intended to celebrate "those who have made outstanding contributions to the state's cultural life," according to a press release from the office of Gov. Bill Lee.
“Tennessee has a rich artistic heritage, and we are proud of these outstanding recipients who are leaders in the arts across our state,” Lee said, in a statement.
The Governor's Arts Awards are presented in three categories: Distinguished Artist, Arts Leadership and Folklife Heritage. Thomas was recognized as a "Distinguished Artist," while Litch and Bluestein were honored for "Arts Leadership."
A beloved figure in soul circles, Thomas is a member of a legendary Memphis musical family: Her father was "Funky Chicken" hit-maker, Rufus Thomas. She remains well-known for such Stax label soul and pop hits as "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" and "B-A-B-Y."
Litch worked with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art before becoming executive director of Theatre Memphis in 2004, helping to re-establish the financial health of the venerable community theater. Litch also is a singer and actress.
Bluestein, meanwhile, may be this region's most honored and influential arts and drama teacher. Chair of the Germantown High School Fine Arts Department for 37 years, until his retirement in 2013, Bluestein established the school's television station and Poplar Pike Playhouse and worked with numerous students who went on to become professionals in stage, film and television (including "Galaxy Quest" star Missi Pyle and "Saturday Night Live" alum Chris Parnell, to name only two examples). In 1998, USA Today named Bluestein as one of the top 40 teachers in the U.S.
Here is a full list of the 2021 Arts Awards recipients:
Arts Leadership Award h Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol h Frank Bluestein, Germantown h Borderless Arts, Gallatin h Hola Hora Latina, Knoxville h Debbie Litch, Memphis Distinguished Artist Award: h Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Nashville h Doyle Lawson, Kingsport h Carla Thomas, Memphis
Folklife Heritage Award h Ludie Amos, Clarksville h Dr. Robert (Roby) Cogswell, Nashville
h National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship and Festival, Hilham
h Richard Turner, Stanton