Soul Train Across The Globe

Who would ever imagine that the infamous showcase "Soul Train" would reach boundaries much further than the whole United States of America, given the fact that Don Cornelius had such a hard time for Soul Train to be aired on another city's network besides the single local network located in Chicago, IL.? 


For the Global marketing concept of Soul Train to be known across the globe, it had started another branching by hosting a reward show dedicated to the performers of soul. In 1985, the Chicago based Tribune Entertainment company became the exclusive distributor/syndicator of Soul Train. In 1987, the Tribune company helped to launch the "Soul Train Music Awards." This program is a live two hour television special presented annually in prime-time syndication and reaches more than 90% of U.S. television households. The Soul Train Music Awards represent the ethos of the Soul Train program which is to offer exposure for Black recording artists on national television.



The first annual "Lady of Soul" reward show was aired on August 6, 1995. The show was hosted by Gladys Knight, Tyra Banks and Brian McKnight. Performers included Monica, Brownstone, Da Brat, Mary J. Blige, Naughty By Nature, Queen Latifah, Brandy and CeCe Winans. Debbie Allen was the recipient of the shows "Lena Horne" Award. Salt & Pepa received the Aretha Franklin Achievement Award.


From there Soul Train had received so much publicity, and from there on, and word of mouth and promotions, it reached homes across seas. This greatly boosted the narrow demographics that it once had in America.