Filed under: Music, Television, News, Awards
After four seasons, TV One's celebrated documentary series 'Unsung' has earned a NAACP Image Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Information Series or Special.
The one-hour documentaries celebrate the lives and careers of notable music acts, who have been under-appreciated over the years. The show's co-Executive producer Mark Rowland of A. Smith & Co. Productions, the production house behind 'Hell's Kitchen' and BET's 'American Gangster,' to name a few, said he couldn't be happier that their original series is finally getting its due.
"We've been crossing out fingers for a few years [and] after the second year we were hoping we would get nominated and when we didn't we said, 'It's ok,' but this last year we had the most number of shows and the biggest range [of artists] and I think it's been our best overall," told BlackVoices.com in an interview shortly after hearing about their nomination yesterday.Last year's nine 'Unsung' episodes, which showcased Teddy Pendergrass, Tammi Terrell, Heatwave, Musical Youth, George Clinton, The Fat Boys, Angela Winbush, Miki Howard and The O'Jays, wrapped on Nov.8.
Profiles on Shalamar, Phyllis Hyman, Minnie Riperton and DeBarge were previously featured.
"The show has managed to take a place of pride and honor in the community. There is a real sense of responsibility to keep it to that standard for us and to exceed it. We take our jobs very seriously. These are wonderful musical artists so there is fun involved, but we are excited to tell this ongoing story. It's creating an archival legacy," he continued. "I feel that the NAACP feels that way as well to include us with several other stellar pieces of programming."
Working on the 2009 episode of 'Unsung' with Teena Marie was one of Rowland's highlights thus far.
"Teena Marie passed away. We had done a story with her and with her support and blessing and she was extremely happy with the show and the results," he shared. "We were brokenhearted she died suddenly and some of us were at the memorial, but there is gratitude that she did that show and that that will live on," he reflected.
TV One announced at last week's Television Critics Association winter preview that 'Unsung' would be getting a new season.
BlackVoices has learned exclusively that some of the artists that will have 'Unsung' specials include Alexander O'Neil and Cherelle, The Spinners, Denise Williams, Evelyn Champagne King, Big Daddy Kane and The Ohio Players. There will be twelve episodes this season - three additional ordered compared to last season's nine.There are no plans for a DVD set right now, but discussions are ongoing regarding a home video package. Ultimately, TV One will decide whether to release 'Unsung' on DVD. They also are the final authority on who to feature on episodes, although producers seriously consider fan input via the the network's website.
Rowland, who has been working on 'Unsung' from the start, regards their partnership with TV One as "the most harmonious and gratifying of his career."
"Maybe we are lucky and just see eye to eye but their input is smart, sharp and elevating and it's been an absolute joy to work," he said.
Tune in to see if 'Unsung' takes home an award when the 42nd Annual NAACP Image Awards airs live on March 4 at 8 pm EST on Fox.
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