The person who received the most attention at Saturday night’s 33rd Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame awards ceremony wasn’t an inductee. Nor is he a native of the state.
But try telling that to the packs of caterwauling teenage girls scattered throughout the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. They just knew that Justin Bieber was in the house, both to help induct his vocal coach, Jan Smith (aka “Mama Jan”), who received the Chairman’s Award, and also to receive his own honor, the Horizon Award, given to young performers who have made outstanding achievements.
He also performed a medley of hits from Smith’s students and was joined by the only guy in this town who could eclipse his razzle-dazzle – Usher, who sported a black tux with mirrored lapels for the occasion.
Bieber seated on a stool next to an acoustic guitarist, a black tie loose around his white shirt and black vest, Bieber said he wanted to sing a medley from some of Smith’s charges and launched into Matchbox Twenty’s “3 A.M.” (she’s worked with Rob Thomas), Usher’s “U Got it Bad” and his own “Baby,” which sent the teen girls in the audience into waves of ear-bleeding screams.
Moments later, Bieber was joined by Usher, natty in a black tuxedo with mirrored lapels, and Bieber manager Scooter Braun to present Smith with her award.
Usher called Smith “a treasure to Atlanta,” telling the crowd about how he had lost his voice, but after working with Smith, “it paid off in the end.”
“It paid off kinda,” Bieber interjected with a grin.
When Smith came out to accept her trophy, Bieber smothered her with kisses, and then pumped his fist to amp up the crowd as Usher enveloped her in a bear hug.
Later in the show, Smith returned the presentation favor by bestowing Bieber with the Horizon Award. The honor isn’t an induction into the hall of fame, but recognition of young performers for their outstanding achievements.
“One of the greatest things about Jellybean … is that his heart is still the same. He’s the same little guy I met in December 2008,” Smith said.
Upon taking his award, Bieber said that since he moved to Atlanta as soon as he got his record deal, “I developed a nice family and friends…I would consider Atlanta my second home.”
As soon as he left the stage, about a quarter of the audience vacated the venue, too, off to follow the trail of Bieber stardust.
Source: AJC
Posted By: Sasha