Honorees Ken Boothe, Copeland Forbes, Eric Donaldson + Gospel and Variety Stage Line-up

This year’s International Reggae and World Music Awards will honor and recognize Living Legends and Icons since the 1960s who consistently performing and working in the industry.
Today we feature Ken Boothe, Copeland Forbes and Eric Donaldson. We also will honor Gyptian as IRAWMA- 2011 SOCIAL MEDIA ATTRACTION AWARD. Unfortnately, Gyptian won’t be present at the awards due to extended tour.
Read below about their contributions to the music industry and the world.

Ken Boothe, OD
Recording artist Kenneth Booth was received Jamaica’s Order of Distinction an honor established that were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act in 1968.
Mr. Boothe began his career in 1960s. Read more about his expansive musical journey on his website www.kenboothemusic.com
31st IRAWMA will honor Mr. Boothe as one of the Most consistent in the preservation of Jamaica’s Rocksteady music.

Copeland Forbes
Copeland Forbes wrote the book Reggae: My Life Is in 2008. Mr. Copeland life as reggae singer and manager. He was lead singer Mighty Mistic in and in 1972 was road manager for The Wailers. He has been was tour manager for many performers, including Sizzla, Ziggy Marley, Andrew Tosh, Freddie McGregor, Beres Hammond, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Junior Reid, Sugar Minott, Mutabaruka, Half Pint and Maxi Priest.
The 31st IRAWMA will honor Mr. Copeland for more than 50 years of valuable contributions to the music industry.

Eric Donaldson
Reggae song-writer and performer Eric Donaldson, came into limelight with hits like “Cherry Oh Baby” (1971). 31st IRAWMA honors Mr. Donaldson for being one of the kings of Jamaican music. Listen his sweet tunes on our Festival Playlist here >>
List of All IRAWMA 2012 Honorees
IRAWMA Ceremony July 5, 2012
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6PM – 10PM
Reggae 50 Honorees:
Rita Marley – Work in the preservation and promotion of reggae’s legacy
Marcia Griffiths – Empress of reggae and world music and as the most indomitable entertainer in all the decades since the early 1960s.
Judy Mowatt – Spiritual service through music
Freddie McGregor – 50 years of dedicated and untiring service to Jamaica and the world
Ken Boothe – Most consistent in the preservation of Jamaica’s Rocksteady music
Eric Donaldson – The king of Jamaican song contest in the past 50 years
Copeland Forbes – 50 years of valuable contributions to the music industry
SPECIAL: IRAWMA- 2011 SOCIAL MEDIA ATTRACTION AWARD-
Gyptian
SPECIAL: International Reggae & World Music Lifetime Awardee
Alfred Baker – Fire and Limbo Dancer – W.I. Dance Theater Company
SPECIAL: Martin’s International – IRAWMA Award of Honor
ONSTAGE TV- Winford Williams – For Most Valuable Media Contributions to reggae in the last decade
BERKO – African Spectrum – For Outstanding Musical and Journalistic Contribution to African and World Music
Field Marshal AND Clarence “Art” Bailey** – For Outstanding Radio Media Contribution to the Music Industry

The 20th International Festival of Life features gospel music greats and variety performances from many Chicagoans. The Gospel and Variety Stage includes: B. Howard, Rob Juice, Singer Cecily, The Javon Watson Experience, Singer Kim Jay, Singer Joe L. Stanford Jr., Bronzeville Diva Senebella, and
Recording Artist Precha.
Festival Information
TICKETS PRICES ARE:
Free to kids less than 6 years old; $5 ages 6-12/seniors over 65 yrs old
$10 Adults and kids over 12 years old before 5pm day of event
$15 Adults and kids over 12 years old at 5pm day of event
$35 Five-Day Season Pass (Adults and kids over 12 years old)
$50 VIP Daily Pass (includes: seats and 2 drinks in VIP area)
$150 VIP 5-Day Season Pass (includes seats and 2 drinks in VIP area)
$75 VIP Daily Platinum Pass (includes parking, VIP seats, limited backstage access, 3 drinks and hors d’oeuvres)
$200 VIP Platinum Pass 5-Day season pass (includes: parking, VIP seats, limited backstage access, 3 drinks and hors d’oeuvres). Prices are subject to change.
This history making 31st IRAWMA and the 20th anniversary IFOL is sponsored by NBC 5 TV- Chicago, The Chicago Park District, Chicago Office of Tourism, Amway, J.FC Jerk and Fried Chicken, Robert Scott – One Stop Studio, Rogers Park Fruit Market, Insurance Brokers, Inc, Captain Hooks Fish/Chicken and Firehouse, KCB Inc, Seashell Restaurant and others. The Marriott Chicago Midway is the official hotel for the five day celebration. Travelers are encouraged to fly into Midway Airport. For hotel reservations call 1-800/956-2606 and mention the code “FES”. For online reservations, please click here
Marriott Hotel Info .

For information or tickets, visit www.martinsinternational.com or call 312/427-0266. E-mail: festoflife@gmail.com.