MUSICIAN LOU HOBBS GETS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

An evening of tunes and jovial speeches was climaxed Thursday night by a poignant moment as longtime Cape Girardeau musician Lou Hobbs received the Southeast Missouri Music Award for lifetime achievement.

Earlier this year, Hobbs was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He accepted the award from last year's recipient, Vi Keys.

The awards banquet kicks off this year's City of Roses Festival, which begins at 5 p.m. today in downtown Cape Girardeau and continues through Saturday night. More than 50 musical acts will perform at 14 different venues.

The nominees represented a cross section of the area's musical talent. The presenters were a diverse group as well. Among them were Dr. Robert Fruehwald and Dr. Charles Kupchella of Southeast Missouri State University, Greg Jones of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, KFVS personalities Mary-Ann Maloney and Charlie Neese, and musicians Brad Graham and Eric Dahl.

Hobbs, a country and western singer and guitarist, is well-known in the area for his TV show. He has been playing since he was a youngster and this year released a new CD in Europe, where he is popular as well.

"This guy wasn't a quitter," Keys said.

Fifteen other awards were presented during ceremonies attended by about 160 people at the Show me Center. Vi Keys' grandson, Billy, accepted the award for best rock 'n' roll band on behalf of his group, Papa Aborigine.

Also winning band awards were Crossfire, country and western; Under the Influence, Christian rock/gospel; Cataphasia, alternative rock/ska; Acme Blues, rhythm and blues/jazz; and John Simmons, who plays with the bands Justified and the Egypt Mills Symphony.

Pianist Richard Moore was named classical musician of the year in a balloting quirk. Moore is primarily a jazz musician.

The nominations and awards are based on balloting by the public.

Shannon Harrell of the country band Texas Storm was named best vocalist of the year. His counterpart as top female vocalist was Kim Keele, who performs at the Little Ole Opry.

Other individual winners were: Allan Palermo, bass guitar; Tim Cagle, rhythm and lead guitar; Central High School music teacher Mark Ellison, percussion; Chris Bell, keyboards; and Jerry Ford, leader of the Jerry Ford Orchestra, wind instruments.

Bill Shivelbine, president of the City of Roses Music Heritage Association, presented a special award to John Sharp as sound engineer of the year.

Shivelbine said the awards banquet and the music festival are meant "to bring everybody together."

Performing during the evening were Mimi and John Kinnison, the SEMO Jazz Combo, Southeast Provost Dr. Charles Kupchella and Texas Storm.