Dressed-up Pearl Jam honored with NW Impact Award

By Charles R. Cross
Special to The Seattle Times

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Pearl Jam was one of four honorees in the annual awards presented by the Pacific Northwest chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Grammy Awards.

In its second year, the awards have become the premier event for the local music industry, attracting rock stars, managers and politicians.

"For those who have been in the scene for some time, it seems unparalleled, but welcome, to see the industry have this much support from politicians," said David Meinert, president of the local academy.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels delivered a video speech noting that the recording industry accounts for $1.3 billion annual revenue to the city.

In introducing Pearl Jam, RealNetworks CEO Robert Glaser highlighted the dollars the band gives to charity. "Not only have they inspired people with their music, they have also done so with their numerous deeds for humanity."

"Seattle has so much to do with who we are," guitarist Stone Gossard said. Then the band broke into a three-song set that ignited the crowd but was also noteworthy for being the only time the group has ever performed in suits. Vedder's only comment was "I'm Eddie Vedder, and I've approved this next song," before playing "Last Soldier."

The emotional highpoint of the night came earlier when blues and jazz legend Ernestine Anderson accepted her award.

After an eloquent introduction by judge Richard Jones, Anderson was in tears before she even began her speech. She told the tale of how she arrived in Seattle and found her calling playing with bands in the renown Jackson Street club scene.

Though Anderson left the Northwest to tour, she later returned and has lived here for decades. "Someone once said, 'You can't go home again,' " she said tearfully. "I'm happy to say that's not true."

She then wowed the crowd with a version of "Don't Hang Around Much Anymore" that had even the rockers in the crowd of 400 on their feet for a standing ovation.
 
Conductor James DePreist, laureate music director for the Oregon Symphony, was also honored but unable to attend. "Awards have always been a catalyst for me to do better," he said in a taped message.

One Reel President Norm Langill was the fourth award winner. When he spoke of Bumbershoot, the Seattle arts festival he has produced for more than two decades, Langill echoed the words of the other honorees in giving credit to the community that supports local music. "I feel like a custodian of Bumbershoot," he said. "The people own it."

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