Vinings Artist to be Inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame

Vinings resident Kenny Leon is making history as an inductee into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Being inducted in the Non-Performer Category, Leon is considered as one of the foremost African-American directors on Broadway. The 33rd Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards is scheduled for Saturday at the .

Leon, who has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, is expected to be in attendance with other celebs like Usher, Justin Bieber and Ludacris.

Leon writes much of the music that goes into his productions and his induction into the Hall of Fame comes as the museum is closing its doors due to budget cuts.

The old adage ‘art imitates life’ couldn’t be more applicable with the closing of the GMHF and the reasons for its closing with relation to one of Leon’s recent productions Brokelogy– where a small family struggles to deal with an ailing father and the harsh realities that come with alack of funds needed to simply survive.

Indeed it’s the reality of many people these days with budgetary concerns growing increasingly tighter. Still, Leon encourages filmmakers and story tellers—African Americans in particular—to continue the pursuit of their creative aspirations.

“Life is about the need to pass stories down from one generation to another…our stories feed our community,” Leon said of his vested interest in the metro-Atlanta arts community.

Leon’s illustrious career spans back to his days working as Artistic Director for the Alliance Theatre Company where he says he cut his teeth in the business. Leon points out that his growth in the arts community came through discipline, hard work and creating opportunities for himself.

He writes, directs and occasionally stars in the productions his company—True Colors Theatre Company—produces at different venues across metro-Atlanta throughout the year.

When people weren’t giving him opportunities, Leon says he crafted his own.

“I’ve never been one to chase the dollar; I’ve always been one to chase the passion,” Leon says, “If you chase the passion the dollar will follow.”

Leon says his greatest influence was his grandmother’s work ethic and tenacity. At a time when they had to work in the fields picking cotton or row crops, elders like his grandmother pressed on against the odds instilling in him a do-not-quit attitude and drive.

Throughout his career Leon earned chances to work with people such as the late playwright August Wilson, the late Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Denzel Washington and countless others.

He credits these individuals along with Spike Lee, Lena Horn and Melvin Van Peebles in opening doors for Blacks inHollywood.

Leon says the doors are cracking open, but challenges African American writers, actors and filmmakersto do more with the opportunities they have.

He argues they should steer away from the typical or stereotypical, instead telling the stories rich to their culture and heritage. He acknowledges many people in position to make a difference with how blacks are viewed across the world sell themselves short choosing money over making intelligent stories.

“So many times [for us] it comes back to just about getting paid; but there is more that we can do as artists and entrepreneurs about getting our stories out there,” Leon says.

Individual seats are $75 – $100 and are available at www.cobbenergycentre.com. Premium seating is also available and includes program advertising and VIP reception. For more information, download the reservation form or contact Friends of Georgia Music Festival at (770) 491-9494, ext. 15.