Tony Cornelius Talks Soul Train, His Father Don Cornelius and the Return of the Soul Train Awards

As the iconic awards show returns to BET in November 2026, the longtime producer and son of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius brings a firsthand perspective to the franchise’s enduring cultural legacy

The Soul Train Awards are returning to BET this November, marking a new chapter for one of television’s most influential entertainment franchises and bringing renewed attention to the artists, music and culture that have defined Soul Train for more than five decades.

At the center of that history is Tony Cornelius, longtime television producer, entertainment executive and son of the late Don Cornelius, the visionary creator of Soul Train.

The return of the Soul Train Awards follows the last broadcast in 2023, with the Awards not airing in 2024 or 2025.

As BET prepares to bring the celebrated franchise back to its audience, the return represents an opportunity to celebrate the artists who continue to shape Black music and culture while reconnecting audiences with the history and vision that established Soul Train as a cultural institution.

In announcing the return of the Soul Train Awards, Louis Carr, President of BET, told Variety:

“As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the ‘Soul Train Awards’ back to the city where it all originated. Coming off a landmark year for BET, this return reaffirms what we do best: bringing our community together around the culture, and connecting the artists who built this sound to the ones carrying it forward.”

Tony Cornelius represents a direct connection to that history.

His relationship with Soul Train extends far beyond being the son of its creator.

Tony spent decades working within Don Cornelius Productions, learning television production from the ground up.

He rose through the organization from crew member to producer, Executive in Charge of Production and Executive Producer before ultimately serving as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Don Cornelius Productions, Inc.

Throughout his career, Tony was deeply involved in the production, business and evolution of the Soul Train franchise.

He worked on Soul Train Awards and television specials, collaborated with production teams and artists, and was involved in the continued development of the Soul Train brand.

His firsthand experience provides a unique perspective on the history of Soul Train and the Soul Train Awards, including the creativity, production and business infrastructure behind a franchise that grew far beyond a television program.

Created by Don Cornelius, Soul Train gave Black artists and entertainers a national television platform at a time when opportunities for representation on mainstream television were limited.

The program became a cultural institution, influencing music, fashion, dance and television while introducing generations of viewers to some of the most important artists of their time.

The Soul Train Awards grew from that same foundation, providing a platform to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Black artists and entertainers.

Now, as BET prepares to bring the Soul Train Awards back to television, Tony believes there is an important story to be told about the history behind the celebration.

“As the Soul Train Awards return, this is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible artists who continue to move our culture forward while also remembering the vision that made this platform possible,” says Tony Cornelius. “Soul Train was created to give artists a place to be seen, heard and celebrated. That vision continues to matter.”

Tony’s connection to Soul Train has also extended beyond television through the Soul Train Cruise, where he serves as host of both the Soul Train Cruise and Soul Train Cruise 2.0, continuing his connection to generations of fans through live entertainment.

The cruises bring together legendary R&B and soul artists, original Soul Train Dancers, musicians, comedians, DJs and special guests, giving fans an opportunity to experience the music, culture and spirit of Soul Train in a live setting.

StarVista LIVE has helped bring the Soul Train experience to life at sea, creating a live music and entertainment experience that connects generations of Soul Train fans.

For Tony, hosting the cruises is about more than introducing artists and participating in onboard events. It provides an opportunity to personally connect with generations of Soul Train fans while preserving the spirit of the franchise his father created.

“The Soul Train Cruise has become another way for me to connect with the audience,” Tony says. “I’m able to host, interact with guests and hear their stories. We spend seven days on the ship dedicated to Love, Peace and Soul.”

For Tony, that intergenerational connection remains one of the most meaningful aspects of the experience.

“Music has a way of bringing people together,” Tony says. “The artists, the audience and the stories we hear on the ship all give me another perspective on what Soul Train means to people.”

Tony is also looking toward the future with Soul Train Cruise 2.0 and the West Coast Initiative, which he sees as opportunities to expand the Soul Train experience and create additional opportunities for artists, musicians, entertainment professionals and audiences to connect.

“You can’t live in the past. You have to respect the past, learn from it and move forward,” Tony says.

That philosophy reflects his approach to the Soul Train legacy.

Don Cornelius created Soul Train for his generation, and Tony believes the responsibility today is to preserve the history while finding new ways for the legacy to remain meaningful to future generations.

Soul Train Cruise 2.0, also known as the Fall Soul Train Cruise, sails November 7–14, 2026, bringing the Soul Train experience to sea with more than 50 live performances, artist Q&A sessions, dance lessons with the original Soul Train Dancers, nightly theme parties and a vow renewal ceremony.

For more information about the Fall Soul Train Cruise, visit fall.soultraincruise.com.

The Soul Train Cruise returns February 14–21, 2027, continuing the celebrated cruise experience that brings together music, entertainment and fans of the Soul Train legacy.

For more information about the Soul Train Cruise, visit Soul Train Cruise by visiting: https://soultraincruise.com/

Through these experiences, Tony Cornelius continues to connect the history and cultural significance of Soul Train with audiences across generations.

“People sometimes look at Soul Train as just a music and dance show, but it was much bigger than that,” Tony says. “My father built an infrastructure around the program.”

That infrastructure continues to inspire new generations, and the Soul Train Cruise provides a place where fans can celebrate it together.

For Tony Cornelius, the Soul Train Cruise is also personal.

It is a connection to his father, his family’s history and the millions of people who made Soul Train part of their lives.

As the Soul Train Awards return to BET, Tony Cornelius remains committed to preserving the history of Don Cornelius and helping carry the Soul Train legacy forward.

The story continues.

The legacy lives on.

Tony Cornelius is a veteran television producer and entertainment executive who spent more than three decades working in television production and played a significant role in the Soul Train legacy created by his father, Don Cornelius.

He rose through Don Cornelius Productions from production positions to executive leadership and has worked across television, live entertainment and branded programming.

Tony continues to preserve and advance the Soul Train legacy through his work with the Soul Train Cruise and Soul Train Cruise 2.0, where he serves as host, as well as other entertainment projects.

He is also President and Founder of the Don Cornelius Foundation.