A section of Interstate 24 near Howard High School will be designated The Impressions Highway in honor of the famed singing group from Chattanooga.
A dedication ceremony will be
Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the Henry Bowles Gymnasium at Howard High School, 2500 South Market St.
The community is invited to the special ceremony dedicating the mile marker 179-180 section of Interstate 24 in honor of the group.
This special tribute is being awarded to members Fred Cash and Sam Gooden from Chattanooga; and Reginald Torian from Chicago, who have become icons of American music.
Legislation enabling this honor was introduced by State Rep. JoAnne Favors and supported by members of the Tennessee General Assembly.
Rep. Favors said, “The Impressions are being recognized for their legendary, internationally-acclaimed, stellar performances in conveying harmony and soul-stirring music; and many citizens in Chattanooga have expressed tremendous pride in having this tribute awarded to our very own entertainers.”
The Impressions were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Rock and roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Performing throughout the world and belting out such hits as "People Get Ready," "Choice of Colors," and "Keep on Pushing" to sell out audiences has certainly contributed to the longevity of the group.
Songs including "This Is My Country" and "Amen" embodied the spirit of the civil rights movement of the 60’s and became anthems of the times and they still hold up today. The group has sold more than 60 million records. The most recent release of a Christmas album "I'm Coming Home for Christmas" was in 2009. It sold out and will be re-released in December 2010.
The group’s newest project scheduled for release later this year under a new label Rebirth Music started by Cash, Tim Eaton and Jerry Goodman is a live CD and DVD produced at Drew University in California with the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra directed by Ricky Minor, band director of American Idol.
This November, the Impressions will be performing for a live Christmas special at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. It will be televised.