Overview:
• The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame celebrates its 1-year anniversary with the announcement of its 2024 inductees, including Roger Troutman, Zapp, Shirley Murdock, and Randy Crawford.
• The induction ceremony on July 27 will feature a parade of stars and a free concert by the Zapp Band.
By Romanye Jones
Earlier this month, Alicia Reece, Hamilton County Commission President, and Founder of the award-winning Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, announced the fourth class of inductees for the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame and the upcoming induction ceremony on Saturday, July 27, 12 p.m. at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame and Andrew Brady Center at the Cincinnati Riverfront.
This star-studded event will kick off with a special parade of stars entrance hosted by Mr. Southern Soul artist Bigg Robb and radio personality Don Juan Fasho. The event will feature the unveiling of the 2024 stars: Roger Troutman and Zapp, Donald Lawrence, Shirley Murdock, and Randy Crawford. Additionally, there will be a free concert by the Zapp Band. Attendees are asked to wear all-white attire to this free celebration.
“I am excited to celebrate the one-year birthday anniversary celebration of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame and welcome a new class of talented inductees,” said President Alicia Reece, visionary founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. “The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is an award-winning tourism attraction that has now proudly welcomed more than 22,000 visitors from across the world. This state-of-the-art tourism attraction honoring the rich culture of Black musical artists, producers, and songwriters is free for the entire family and continues to be a prominent tourist destination for the region.”
The 2024 class of Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame inductees will join the 2021 Founding Inductees Bootsy Collins, The Isley Brothers, Dr. Charles Fold, and Otis Williams; The 2022 Inductees Midnight Star, featuring Reggie and Vincent Calloway, Penny Ford, Hi-Tek, and Wilbert Longmire, 2023 inductees James Brown, The Deele, Philippe Wynne, and Louise Shropshire.
2024 Inductees
Roger Troutman and Zapp
Emerging from Dayton Ohio, the four Troutman brothers formed the core of acclaimed electro-funk group Zapp, whose 1980 R&B hit “More Bounce to the Ounce” rocketed to #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B tracks. The groups follow up album Zapp II was certified gold, selling well. Roger Troutman (b. 1951) — a Hamilton, Ohio native and multitalented singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist — led the group, fueling its success with his legendary skill using the “talk-box.”
Shirley Murdock
After being discovered by Zapp’s Roger Troutman of Hamilton, Ohio, Shirley Murdock launched a successful career in R&B. She is widely celebrated for her, but album featured Top 10 hit, “As We Lay” and her vocals on Zapp and Rogers hit single “Computer Love.” Beyond her achievements as a vocalist, Murdock, an Ohio native, has appeared in numerous films and found success in gospel music.
Randy Crawford
The warm, smooth voice of Randy Crawford has beguiled listeners both on solo recordings and alongside artists such as Quincy Jones and George Benson. Crawford first reached the Hot 100 singles chart as guest vocalist with The Crusaders. She has also achieved great success in the UK with top-20 hits, including her 1980 number-two hit, “One Day I’ll Fly Away,” as well as six UK top-10 albums. The two-time Grammy nominee grew up in Cincinnati where she launched her singing career.
Donald Lawrence
Donald Lawrence is an American gospel music songwriter, record producer and artist. He is best known for his Grammy Award-nominated songs “The Blessing of Abraham” and “Encourage Yourself.” He studied at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and served as Music Director at Southern Baptist. He has received multiple Grammy and Stellar Award honors and served as vocal coach and songwriter for The Clark Sisters, and collaborator with a host of artists including Peabo Bryson, Kirk Franklin, Karen Clark Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, and Mary J. Blige.
About the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
The award-winning Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is an international state-of-the-art outdoor interactive permanent tourism attraction on the Ohio Riverbanks which celebrates the legacy and untold stories of music artists, songwriters, producers, and musicians from Southwest Ohio who have impacted music from across the world. The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is Ohio’s newest tourism attraction that features augmented reality activations, an experiential drum machine honoring 50 years of Hip-Hop, a musical waterfall, nightly jam sessions, as well as interactive kiosks that honor the contributions of Black musical artists. The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is located on the Ohio Riverbanks next to the Andrew Brady Center and across from Paycor Stadium, home of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Music Festival.
The 1-year birthday celebration of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is Saturday July 27 at noon (Noon) at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame and Andrew Brady Center in honor of the 2024 inductees. Additionally, there will be a free special tribute concert featuring Roger Troutman and Zapp. Everyone is encouraged to wear white attire for this occasion.
The 2024 partners of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony are P&G, Urban League of Greater Southwest Ohio, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, All in Cincinnati, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, First Financial Bank, Cincinnati Music Festival, Kroger, Cincy Black Travel Guide. For more information on the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
For more information on the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame visit: https://www.cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org.
The Black Music Walk Of Fame. My first time attending the event was last year 2023. The entire event was awesome. Everyone was singing and dancing in their seats. Thank you Alicia Reese and staff. That was the best afternoon event.