Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist Darius Rucker was presented with the organization's Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award with the dual rock and country star is being celebrated for his lifelong philanthropic efforts that include exemplary and heartfelt work on behalf of children.

"Through his tireless efforts to support the youth community of Charleston, not to mention the millions of dollars he has helped raise for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Darius has beautifully honored the legacy of our Humanitarian Award's namesake, Harry Chapin," said Music Biz President James Donio. "We truly feel that Harry would be proud to see how Darius has used his platform and resources to benefit those among us in need. We are delighted to recognize him for all he has contributed."

For years, Rucker has been a continuous supporter of the MUSC Children's Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. Since 2010, his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament has raised millions of dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, Rucker and his bandmates have raised funds for over 200 charitable causes that support public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina.

Breakthrough Artist Award winners Kane Brown and Bebe Rexha.

At the annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament, Rucker performs and plays alongside some of his famous friends in order to raise money for children who are battling cancer. Previous years have seen participation from stars such as Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, and Kenny Rogers.

The annual "Monday After the Masters" (MAM) golf tournament brings together golf pros, celebrities, and their friends to raise money for the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation, among others. One of the top-rated junior golf organizations in the country, the mission of the SC Junior Golf Foundation is to teach kids honor, sportsmanship, and character through the game of golf.

Every fall, the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation hosts Hootie's Homegrown Roundup, an event designed to assist underprivileged children in the Charleston County School District. Through the Roundup, kids receive free annual eye exams, dental exams, new shoes, haircuts, and a backpack full of school supplies to help them prepare for the school year.

Rucker first rose to stardom as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Hootie & the Blowfish, the GRAMMY Award-winning band behind chart-topping hits such as "Hold My Hand" and "Let Her Cry." The band's debut album, Cracked Rear View, went platinum 21 times, and the band has charted 16 singles to date. The group is set to return to full-time touring in 2019 as they embark on the 44-city Group Therapy Tour, which will be accompanied by the release of their first studio album since 2005.

Peter Frampton and Music Business Association President James Donio.

During that time, Rucker embarked on a wildly successful solo Country music career that has sparked five albums and nine number one singles on Country radio. His cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel," released in 2013 on his third solo Country album, True Believers, earned Rucker his third GRAMMY Award. In 2018, Rucker won the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award from the Academy of Country Music, celebrating his devotion to improving lives through the power of music.

Since its inception in 1981, the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award has celebrated the legacy of Folk-Rock singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, whose philanthropic work to end world hunger earned him the Congressional Gold Medal. For more information on the award and for a list of past recipients, visit the Music Biz Awards & Hall of Fame section of musicbiz.org.

Classic rock royalty was also present as GRAMMY Award-winning musician, singer and songwriter Peter Frampton garnered the prestigious Chairman's Award for Sustained Creative Achievement.

"We could think of no artist more deserving of an award for sustained creative achievement than Peter Frampton, who has fashioned a storied career through his solo efforts, co-founding of a supergroup and his extraordinary collaborations with fellow industry legends," commented Music Biz Chairman Steve Harkins. "This will be the third time Peter has graced the Music Biz stage; once in 1977 to honor his landmark live record Frampton Comes Alive!, again as part of the 2006 Universal Music Showcase, and this year to rightfully honor him as a music industry icon and a true bastion in the history of Rock music."

Frampton just announced the Peter Frampton Band will release its new album entitled All Blues on June 7 via UMe. Recorded with his longtime touring band, made up of Adam Lester (guitar/vocals), Rob Arthur (keyboards/guitar/vocals) and Dan Wojciechowski (drums), the album is a collection of Frampton's favorite blues classics.

Love producer Giles Martin was on hand to witness his father's induction.

Peter Frampton remains one of the most lauded artists in rock history. He was most recently honored with the Les Paul Innovation Award at the 2019 NAMM Show's 34th annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards, and celebrated the 43rd anniversary of his fifth solo album, Frampton Comes Alive!, one of the top-selling live records of all time (over 17 million copies sold worldwide) featuring the hit singles "Baby I Love Your Way," "Show Me the Way," and a live version of "Do You Feel Like We Do."

In February, Frampton made public his diagnosis of Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) which has prompted him to announce his retirement from regular touring at the end of this year. His retirement will come at the conclusion of "The Peter Frampton Finale - The Farewell Tour" which will run across the U.S. and Canada from June through mid-October.

Additional acknowledgment went to Bebe Rexha and Kane Brown who both received Breakthrough Artist Awards; Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement; Record Archive owners Richard Storms and Alayna Alderman accepted the Independent Spirit Award; The Orchard Co-Founder Richard Gottehrer will took home the Outstanding Achievement Award.

This year's Music Business Hall of Fame ceremony witnessed the induction of the late Sir George Martin by his son Giles Martin. The 2019 Hall of Fame class also includes major labels Atlantic Records and Capitol Records; independent label Sub Pop; industry executives Ahmet Ertegun, Herb Abramson and Miriam Abramson; music industry landmarks the Apollo Theatre, CBGB, Hitsville U.S.A...The Birthplace of Motown Records, Sun Studio, and the Troubadour; and Rolling Stone magazine.

About the Music Business Association: The Music Business Association is a not-for-profit membership organization that advances, promotes and invests in the future of the music business by providing a trusted forum where ideas and cooperation flourish. Through events, education and engagement, the Association brings together the full breadth of the industry for unparalleled access to networking, resources and thought leadership.

CBGB became a music industry landmark member of the 2019 Hall of Fame class.

Related Links: For more information on the MUSIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Music Biz