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June is recognized as Black Music Month. Legendary
songwriter/producer Kenny Gamble saw the impact of the Country Music
Association's Country Music Month every October. In 1978, Gamble formed
the Black Music Association, recruiting supporters like Berry Gordy,
Stevie Wonder, & Rev. Jesse Jackson. Kenny Gamble, media strategist
Dyana Williams, & radio DJ Ed Wright created Black Music
Month.
On June 7th, 1979, President Jimmy Carter backed the
movement, hosting the first ever Black Music Month Celebration on the
White House Lawn! Festivities included performances from Chuck Berry,
Billy Eckstine, and many more. George W. Johnson is recognized as the
first African American recording star of the phonograph record! In
1920, singer Mamie Smith made Blues history as the first African
American to make Blues recordings. Teacher and pianist Amelia Louise
Tilghman created the first African American Music journal called The
Musical Messenger from 1886 to 1891.June celebrates the African
American musical influences that comprise an essential part of
America's treasured, cultural heritage. Here are the different genres
that African Americans have created, inspired and fostered.
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