National Blues Museum to Honor Martha Wash with Lifetime Achievement Award

The National Blues Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, will present two-time Grammy nominee Martha Wash with the Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Wash will also perform live in the Museum's Legends Room at 3 PM, cementing her status as one of popular music's most enduring voices.

Martha Wash's career spans over four decades, beginning with her role as half of the duo Two Tons O' Fun, where she provided backing vocals for disco legend Sylvester before stepping into the spotlight. The duo later renamed themselves The Weather Girls and released the platinum-selling anthem "It's Raining Men" in 1982, which remains a cultural touchstone and global dancefloor staple.

Wash's distinctive voice became one of the most sought-after in the music industry, powering lead vocals on major hits including Black Box's platinum-selling "Everybody Everybody" and C+C Music Factory's 5× platinum "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)." Both songs became international smashes, yet Wash faced industry challenges when other performers lip-synced to her vocals without proper credit in music videos and live performances.

Her fight for recognition set an important precedent for artists everywhere, helping change industry standards for proper crediting of vocalists and musicians. This advocacy work, combined with her musical achievements, makes the Lifetime Achievement Award particularly significant for both Wash and the broader music community.

Beyond her iconic hits, Wash has remained a dynamic force in music, producing beloved club anthems as a solo artist while collaborating across genres from house to gospel. Her recent work continues to demonstrate artistic evolution, with Rolling Stone Magazine hailing her album Love & Conflict as a milestone in her career. The publication spotlighted the single "Never Enough Money" as a "stomping, rough-around-the-edges blues-rocker anchored by a righteous vocal performance from Wash, who skewers reckless and unchecked thirst for wealth and attention."

The album represents a departure into what Rolling Stone described as a "fascinating hybrid of blues-rock and R&B/jazz," showcasing Wash's continued relevance and creative growth decades into her career. This musical evolution aligns with the National Blues Museum's mission to celebrate artists whose work transcends genre boundaries.

National Blues Museum Executive Director Robert Nelson emphasized Wash's cross-generational impact, stating, "Martha Wash's voice is one of the most distinctive and electrifying in modern music. Her artistry transcends genres and generations, and we are proud to celebrate her lasting contributions with this award."

The timing of this recognition is particularly meaningful as Wash continues to inspire new generations of artists with her resilience and advocacy. Her career serves as both a musical legacy and a testament to the importance of fighting for fair treatment in the entertainment industry. The award ceremony and performance at the National Blues Museum will provide an opportunity for fans and fellow musicians to celebrate an artist whose voice has become an instrument of truth, joy, and empowerment across multiple musical eras.