The Women’s International Music Network (The WiMN) has announced Rock Sugah as the house band for the 2016 She Rocks Awards. Comprised of Divinity Roxx on bass, Kat Dyson on guitar, Benita Lewis on drums, and Lynette Williams on keyboard, the band will rock the house with funk and soul throughout the awards ceremony.
“We are gonna funk it up at the She Rocks Awards this year!” exclaimed The WiMN founder Laura B. Whitmore. “We are so excited to have these amazing musicians backing some of our other artists and providing music throughout the program. They bring serious chops and musicality that will be a thrill to witness.”
Best known as the bass player and musical director for Beyoncé’s all-female band for five years,Divinity Roxx has toured across the world and played on various television shows such as The GRAMMY’s, Saturday Night Live, and Good Morning America. Divinity got her start touring and appearing on albums with legendary bassist, Victor Wooten, and has since then backed up music giants like Patti Labelle, Kelly Rowland, and Ledisi. Learn more at http://www.divinityroxx.com.
Guitar player Kat Dyson has worked alongside renowned artists like Cyndi Lauper, Prince, Mick Jagger, Sting, Chaka Khan, and many others. Throughout her musical journey, she has appeared on many television talk and awards shows, as well as recording with artists and composing music for films, documentaries, and television. Dyson has an EP titled Colour Kommentary, and is part of two all-female jazz/R&B bands, Jazz in Pink and Hit Like a Girl. For more on Dyson, visit www.katdyson.com.
Drummer Benita Lewis has been among an amazing group of talent as the drummer for several touring gospel stage plays/musicals including Lead Poisoning, Beauty Shop 2, Perilous Times, and more. Lewis has shared the stage with noted artists including Grammy and Stellar Award-winners BeBe & CeCe Winans, Rev. James Moore, The Clark Sisters, John P. Kee, and others. Most recently, in January 2015, she appeared on Waves’ Everything Audio show as the backing drummer for legendary slap bass pioneer Larry Graham. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/iambenitalewis.
Keyboardist Lynette Williams studied at the prestigious school Berklee College of Music, playing various genres of music including jazz, Latin, R&B, country, pop and more, while studying Music Composition/Songwriting. Williams has toured with Black Eyed Peas’ member, Will.i.am, as well as being featured on his ode to President Barack Obama, “It’s a New Day.” More recently touring with the likes of Childish Gambino, Cee-lo, Chaka Khan, and more, Williams is working to complete her upcoming EP, Organ Trio. For more information, visit http://lynettewilliamsmusic.com/.
The WiMN recently announced the lineup for the 2016 She Rocks Awards, including the legendary Chaka Khan, trailblazing guitarist Jennifer Batten, and Amy Heidemann of the chart-topping duo, Karmin. Other honorees include Leslie Ann Jones of Skywalker Sound, Chalise Zolezzi of Taylor Guitars; Cathy Carter-Duncan of Seymour Duncan; Mindy Abovitz of Tom Tom Magazine; and many more.
The She Rocks Awards pay tribute to women who display leadership and stand out within the music industry, and has become a standard at the NAMM Show. Previous award recipients include female industry leaders such as Colbie Caillat, Sheila E, The Bangles, Orianthi, Dinah Gretsch, Craigie Zildjian, Janie L. Hendrix, and more. The event brings together industry professionals, music icons, artists, fans and media to celebrate women in music.
The She Rocks Awards will take place on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel at 6:30 p.m. This event has sold out the past three years and a NAMM badge is not required to attend. Tickets are on sale now at www.sherocksawards.com.
