Music Tech Faculty Gets Regional Award Nod for His Single

Gilbert Pryor Honored as a Best Soul Artist/Group Finalist in Wammie Awards

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – A Bowie State University music technology professor and professional musician landed among the best soul artist or group finalists for the 2021 Wammie Awards, a platform that has recognized artistic excellence in the Washington, DC area for more than 30 years.

The Wammie Awards named Assistant Professor Gilbert Pryor a finalist for his 2020 single, “Let’s Ride,” featuring Sylver Logan Sharp and William Smith, a Bowie State music technology associate professor in the Department of Fine & Performing Arts. “Let’s Ride” pushes the boundaries of several musical styles, including smooth jazz, R&B and funk, with Pryor on the trumpet, Smith on the tenor saxophone, and Sharp with the vocals.

“It is an honor to have your peers and other folks in this area to recognize your work,” said Dr. Pryor, program coordinator for Bowie State’s music technology concentration. “I am so pleased that things have gotten to this point, and it keeps me motivated to move forward.”

The song has received several accolades since its release in May 2020. The Washington City Paper highlighted the musical collaboration between Drs. Pryor and Smith, along with professional go-go band musician Roy Battle (’17) while he was a music technology student, which inspired the song. In June, it reached #5 on Starpoint Radio’s UK Soul Chart.

Dr. Pryor is not the only one representing Bowie State among the 2021 Wammie Awards finalists. Stephanie Shipley (’14) is also honored as a Best R&B Artist/Group finalist for her album, “Grae.”

“It’s not about me – it’s about the students,” said Dr. Pryor. “I am all about the things that I can impart to the students, especially when I see even one of them on that road to fulfilling their dreams through our program.” 

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