A crowd gathered to celebrate and remember the unforgettable music of Buddy and Ella Johnson. They called the celebration " Buddy and Ella Day."
The event was sponsored by Wilhelmina Johnson and the Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex, Inc.
Buddy and Ella Johnson grew up in Darlington and gained fame throughout the South and Northeast for their musical talents.
The two toured Europe and performed at the Cotton and Savoy Clubs in New York.
The Johnsons were inducted into the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and are expected to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis, Tennessee on May 9, 2012.
The State Executive Director of the SC Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame, David Godbold, took part in the celebration for Buddy and Ella and presented Wilhelmina Johnson with an award for Ambassador of the Arts for her efforts to the have the musical duo inducted in the hall of fame.
"We had Buddy and Ella inducted into the South Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2001, but still as you survey around and talk to adults as well as children, they don't seem to understand that their heritage Buddy and Ella Johnson a part of Darlington County, South Carolina," said Wilhelmina Johnson.
The Darlington County School District, City of Darlington, Darlington Historical Commission, and Darlington County sent proclamations and resolutions in honor of Buddy and Ella day.
An up and coming musical group, Kasanovaz, performed a couple of songs to celebrate the contributions of the Johnsons.
The Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex, Inc. says its dedicated to taking the leadership in keeping the musical legacy of Buddy and Ella Johnson alive.
