FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2009
CONTACT:
Lisa Wilmore
313-980-4766
Lisa.Wilmore@comcast.net
DETROIT MUSIC, BUSINESS MOGUL HONORED AT 70TH TRIBUTE CELEBRATION
Don Davis The 70th Composition: The Man. The Music. The Mogul.
Don Davis Photo Credit: John Urbanek |
Detroit, MI (BlackNews.com) - On Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., the world's music, entertainment and business powerhouses will come to Detroit to honor the city's own Don Davis at a five-star affair. The MGM GRAND Detroit Hotel Ballroom will be the setting for the event which promises to be an unforgettable, star-studded, celebratory tribute. Motown's critically-acclaimed recording artist KEM will set the performance stage with his contemporary soulful sound.
The mogul, who transitioned from a position at the pinnacle of the music industry into the world of banking, will celebrate 70 years, among an expected collage of over 500 friends, colleagues and business associates. The elite in music, banking and business, as well as loved ones and supporters of Davis, will gather to give him a well deserved honor.
With an impressive career in music that has spanned several decades; the unsung local legend began his remarkable journey in 1959 as a Motown guitarist who played sessions for Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells and also the Temptations. Davis then became head of production with Stax Records (Memphis) which housed artists such as Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes; and later became the owner of famed United Sound Studio (Detroit) - arguably, the country's first independently run recording studio used by world renowned artists such as Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, The O'Jays, Four Tops, The Doobie Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Luther Vandross, George Clinton, and Dizzy Gillespie.
As a Grammy Award-winning producer, "The Don" made historical contributions to the music industry. Many of Davis' compositions became Billboard chart-topping, platinum-selling hits. Davis was known for his work with Johnnie Taylor, especially as the producer and songwriter on the 1968 hit "Whose Making Love." He also produced the history making mega hit "Disco Lady," which was the first single ever to be certified Billboard Platinum.
His most recent musical credits include being one of the songwriters for the song "Girl" sung by the top music-selling, female group of all time, Destiny's Child. The song written by Davis appeared in the group's last recorded, triple-platinum album titled Destiny Fulfilled in 2004.
Having acquired fame in the music world with his monumental accomplishments, Davis did the unexpected and pursued a new venture in the banking and financial industry. In 1980 he purchased a then-struggling First Independence Bank. Over the years, his superior business acumen resulted in an impressive $250 million in the bank's assets, and $400 million under money management. He founded Michigan Alliance Capital, America's largest black owned leasing company. Additionally, Davis has amassed success in several other entrepreneurial ventures.
Behind the scenes, Don's greatest accomplishments were marrying his lovely wife and fathering three wonderful children. A known philanthropist, Davis partnered with the Lawrence P. Doss Scholarship Foundation to launch The Don Davis Composition Scholarship Award, which assists Detroit's underprivileged students in their educational goals. The scholarship will be presented to eligible recipient(s) during this highly anticipated, five-star bash.
Don Davis The 70th Composition: The Man. The Music. The Mogul.
Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
The MGM GRAND Detroit Hotel Ballroom, 1777 Third Street, Detroit, Michigan
Performance by Motown Record's Critically-Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter Recording Artist and Detroit's own, KEM, with other music performances by Detroit artist Keith Washington and Floyd Taylor, son of the late Johnnie Taylor.
General Ticket Reservations: $250
Patron Ticket: $525
Benefactor Ticket: $750
For tickets, log on to: www.DonDavisTheMan.com
All proceeds to benefit The Lawrence P. Doss Scholarship Foundation.
For additional information on Don Davis The 70th Composition: The Man. The Music. The Mogul. or to arrange an interview with Don Davis or to obtain press credentials, contact Lisa Wilmore at 313-980-4766 or Lisa.Wilmore@comcast.net.
Tycoon Sponsor: Process Controls and Instrumentation and First Independence Bank
Media Sponsors: Smooth Jazz - V 98.7 FM and Ambassador Magazine