Grammy winners Brandy, Mavis Staples, and Paul Overstreet joined Peavey Electronics in celebrating the birthplace of American Music at the star-studded Peavey Awards gala, held in Jackson, Mississippi, hosted by Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour, and endorsed by The Recording Academy. "Mississippi has been home base for our entire 43-year history," said Hartley Peavey, namesake of the Peavey Awards and founder of Meridian, Mississippi-based Peavey Electronics. The second-annual Peavey Awards, which honor Mississippi's many Grammy winners and nominees, as well as individuals who have played a significant role in developing and furthering Mississippi's musical heritage, celebrated the achievements of R&B star Brandy, soul legend Mavis Staples, country songwriter Paul Overstreet and blues guitarist Eddie Cotton. Actress and Mississippi-transplant Joey Lauren Adams, the star of hit movies like Big Daddy and Chasing Amy, also received the prestigious award. Following the awards reception, the winners performed for a capacity crowd. Brandy drew from her impressive catalog of hits, while Mavis Staples wowed the audience with a spiritual set centering around "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Paul Overstreet entertained the audience with hits he wrote for Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, and Kenny Chesney. Two previous Peavey Award winners, gospel greats The Williams Brothers and Elvis Presley's guitarist James Burton, joined forces at the 2008 celebration to honor the King of Rock & Roll with a medley of hits, while Jackson native Eddie Cotton paid tribute to B.B. King with licks from his Peavey HP Signature guitar. The Peavey Awards made their debut in 2007 and honored the accomplishments of Jerry Lee Lewis, The Williams Brothers, Marty Stuart, The North Mississippi Allstars, and James Burton. Proceeds from the annual event benefit the Mississippi Blues Commission, whose Blues Trail project places interpretive markers at notable historical sites related to the history and growth of blues music throughout the state.

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