‘Billboard’ Names Lionel Richie 2014 ‘Legend of Live’

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie has been announced as the 2014 Legend of Live recipient for Billboard’s 11th Annual Touring Conference & Awards, to be Nov. 20 at The Edison Ballroom in New York City. The honor recognizes individuals or bands who have made lasting contributions to live music and the touring business.

Culminating the two-day (Nov. 19-20) Roosevelt Hotel conference of keynotes, interviews, sessions parties and showcases, the Annual Billboard Touring Awards will feature Richie as the latest in a line of previously honored legends, which have included Sir Elton John, Journey, promoter Michael Cohl, promoter Jack Boyle, agent Frank Barsalona, the Allman Brothers Band, Ozzy Osbourne, Rush, Neil Diamond, and 2013 recipient and first Country artist to receive the trophy, George Strait.

Raised in Tuskegee, Ala., Richie’s exposure to Country among other genres influenced his first band, the Commodores, and his songwriting. Conway Twitty recorded “Three Times a Lady,” Alabama recorded “Deep River Woman,” and Kenny Rogers released “Lady” in 1980 before Richie produced Rogers’ full-length Share Your Love album the subsequent year. In 2012, Mercury Nashville released Richie’s Country collaborative album, Tuskegee, a collection of 13 hits from album sales in excess of 100 million. Additionally, the Academy of Country Music featured an all-star Country concert special for the star, which aired on the CBS Television Network.

The Touring Awards will additionally honor box office achievements from the industry’s top artists, professionals, venues of the year, a humanitarian recognition and a concert marketing and promotion award.