2025 Jackson Music Awards putting boots on the ground ‘For the Love of Music’

The 2025 Jackson Music Awards Association, Inc. has a long weekend planned, titled “For the Love of Music,” at venues including Club 440 JXN, Duling Hall, and The Westin Jackson Hotel.  

Sponsors of the 51st Annual Jackson Music Awards and the 47th Annual Mississippi Gospel Awards are the City of Jackson, Visit Jackson, Cadence Bank, Mercedes Benz of Jackson, Gemini Entertainment, Kessler Federal Credit Union, and Thompson & Associates, Inc. Jesse Thompson says: “Get some because it’s going to be a long weekend filled with nonstop excitement and world-class performances…we got the music you love”.   

Friday:

The Kickoff event starts at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25th, at Club 440 JXN, located at 440 North Mill Street. It will feature the best in Southern Soul Music with the hottest stars in the genre.  

This event embodies what the Jackson City Council declared on June 11, 2019, as the home and birthplace of Southern Soul Music. The declaration was echoed  by the Mississippi Legislature when it officially passed a resolution in May 2024 acknowledging Mississippi as the originator of Southern Soul Music. 

A Top 20 Southern Soul Music Countdown is presented by veteran DJ Tyrone “Da Don” Davis every week, naming the dominant figures in the genre that the industry considers the gold standard ranking of Southern Soul Music.

Saturday:

On  July 26th there will be a celebration of Mississippi as the “Birthplace of America’s Music” with the 3rd Annual City with Soul at Duling Hall at 7 p.m., presenting the “2025 Drum Major Award” to Lemuria Books as an organization leading  the way in entertainment. The Blue Tornadoes will provide music throughout the evening. Internationally renowned sculptor, Dr. Kim Sessums has designed a prestigious award for the occasion. 

Sunday:

The 47th Annual Mississippi Gospel Music Awards will take place at the Westin Jackson Hotel on July 27th at 5:00 p.m., which is billed as the biggest event of the year. Gospel musicians and vocalists will showcase “For the Love of Music” by singing beloved songs in 27 distinct categories. 

The praise party guests are the Jackson Southernaires, Paul Porter and the Christianaries, Lucinda Moore, Gospel Comedian Small Fire, Lillian Lilly, Robyn McGhee, Devine Creation, Orie Hudson and Spirit, the Walk of Faith Praise Team from the Springhill Christian Center of Raymond, Mississippi, with hosts Harvey Watkins Jr. and Gospel Comedian Small Fire. Gospel Music honorees are Paul Porter and the Christianaires, the Mississippi Mass Choir, and the Jackson Southernaires, with a special tribute to Mr. Huey Williams.

Pastor honorees include Pastor Jerry Mannery, Pastor Larry Joiner, and Pastor Danny Willis. 

Tracy Bethea, Laura Powell, and Sylvia M. Holloway, known as the “Gospel Comedian, Small Fire,” will be honored as the Women in Gospel.  

Monday:

The  51st Annual Jackson Music Awards begins at 6:00 p.m. on July 28th at the Westin Jackson Hotel Ballroom. This event is  hosted by longtime local radio personalities Rob Jay and “Big Baby” Alice Marie. The night continues with the theme: “For the Love of Music,” and the “Kings of Soul” honorees are Calvin Richardson, Vick Allen, Big Yayo, and Ronnie Bell.  Awards will be presented in 23 different categories. Special honorees will be famed producer and music pioneer Lee King and the legendary blues, soul & R&B radio station WDIA of Memphis, Tennessee.

Honoree Calvin Richardson states, “I received my first Jackie Award from the Jackson Music Awards over 20 years ago and several more over the years, of which I’ve always been appreciative, and now to be an honoree this year…It’s great to be recognized again by the Jackson Music Awards.”

Special Southern Soul Music performances for the 51st Annual Jackson Music Awards will be giants of the genre, including headliners J’Cenae, Stefunie, Kyia Buckingham, LaMorris Williams, Vick Allen, Big Ya Yo, Ronnie Bell, and Iyanna Patrice. 

J’Cenae, a mainstay star on the Southern Soul circuit, says, “I love the Jackson Music Awards, and I’m blessed to be asked to perform…this Southern Soul Music genre is great, and the fans are the best.”

Tickets:

Tickets for Sunday and Monday events are available electronically at https://jmaainc.com: $30 for General Admission, $40 for Reserve, and $60 for Table Seats.  Day of the Events seats are $40 General Admission and $50 Reserve. For additional information, call 601-862-6629.