THE LEGACY OF MARCIA BALL
PHOTOS OF “HOME WITH THE ARMADILLO” EVENT
CELEBRATING MARCIA BALL & BENEFITTING HOME
MEDIA LINKS FOR “HOME WITH THE ARMADILLO” EVENT
WATCH THE “HOME WITH THE ARMADILLO” ON YOUTUBE
HEART OF AUSTIN AWARD
The Honorable Kathleen Sibelius, the former governor of Kansas and Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Obama, presented Marcia Ball with the “Heart of Austin Award”
“Tonight we’re celebrating an extraordinary artist, an extraordinary woman, and we’re introducing something new. On this stage over the course of this evening will be amazing artists, joining Marcia, her friends and family, the HOME community, and an audience full of fans and supporters.
The Heart of Austin Award was created in Marcia Ball’s honor. Starting tonight, it will be given yearly to musicians whose work has shaped the sound of this city and whose lives reflect the spirit, generosity, and cultural leadership that define Austin.
Now, a music legacy isn’t built on just great songs. It’s built on people. People who give back, who mentor, who open doors, and show up for one another. This award honors artists who make Austin so special. And there’s only one place to begin with an award honoring the heart of Austin. It has to begin with Marcia Ball.
Marcia has shaped this city’s music for more than five decades. Our Hot Tamale Baby has shared Austin’s sound with people across the country and around the world and she changed the future by founding home. Marcia saw her fellow musicians growing older without stability so she built a safety net rooted in dignity, care, and respect. Today, Home supports aging musicians across Central Texas because Marcia believed they mattered.
Now, Gary and I have been huge fans of long Tall Marcia Ball. Since we first saw her on a Jazz Fest stage over 45 years ago. She was playing the piano. Many of you will know this scene– playing the piano, sitting side saddle on the bench, her legs swinging like a metronome, belting out of tune. And we were all in!
We have loved her and her music in Austin, in New Orleans, in Kansas, on river boats and cruise ships, at Fitzgeralds and Knuckleheads, and wherever our paths could cross. We have shared causes and meals and adventures. And we have been so honored to call Marcia Ball our dear friend.
Marcia’s work to create a caring community in Austin for people who have given such joy to the world is what brings us all together tonight. So, it’s now my great honor to present the very first Heart of Austin award to the woman who inspired it, Marcia Ball.”
Lifetime Achievement and Career Achievement Award & A Yellow Rose of Texas AWARD
Mr. Graham Weber, from the Texas Music Office, presented Marcia with two recognitions from the State of Texas.
“I want to thank the Paramount Theater for hosting this tonight and everyone from HOME who made this possible tonight. And everybody in the wonderful Austin music community and the community at large. So, give yourselves a round of applause. Thanks for supporting and coming out. I am honored to be here tonight and to be representing the Texas Music Office to recognize a true Texas original, the one and only Marcia Ball.
Marcia’s legacy has lasted more than 50 years and she has been elevating Texas music on a national and international stages. She is a standard bearer for authenticity, musicianship, and roots music. She’s had a cultural impact not just on our city but all over the world. Her influence has been on generations of musicians and she’s had a big role in protecting Texas music heritages, not just through her performances, but through her advocacy.
So, I’ve got a couple of recognitions from the state of Texas here. One of them is the Yellow Rose of Texas, which is a recognition that is presented to women of Texas who preserve the traditions and enhance the culture of our state. So definitely apropos for Marcia.
She has been designated a Texas state musician in the past for her enduring contribution to the Texas music economy and identity. On behalf of the state of Texas, it is my honor to give a Lifetime Achievement and Career Achievement Award and officially A Yellow Rose of Texas to the one and only Miss Marcia Ball.”
THE LEGACY OF MARCIA BALL
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