It all began when Laila Elok (popular RTM Sabah DJ) the DJ on duty at a function in Kota Kinabalu attended by Chief Minister YAB Datuk Sri Panglima Musa Haji Aman suggested that award should be organised to appreciate the constribution by such veteran singer as Datuk MY Ismail who was the entertainer in that function. Without hesitation the CM turned to Kota Kinabalu mayor Datuk Elias Ibrahim who was at his side "you do it!".
The award which is the first of its kind listed out candidates as follows: Datuk MY Ahmad, Mendiang John Gaisah, ABM Fajeer, Datuk Peter Pragas, A award llahyarham AJ Ajmain,Ismail Jejaka, Peter Dicky Lee, Datuk Hj. MY Ismail, Ng Kui Ching, Justine Stimol, AH Yamin, Malim Wahid, Datuk Patrick Micheal, Ambrose Mudi, Daud Abdillah, AS Sumardy, PA Mohammad, Aishah Muhiddin, Maskor Dollah, WA Rashid, Suzie Ismail, Sakmat Tajuddin D Mariam, Dayang Sofiah Osman, Hj. Jaafar Yunus, Jamaludin Hj. Abdul Hamid, Rogayah Sukardi, Jamaludin A. Hamid, PA Zainal, Patrik Maduil, SM Yusuf, MN Suzein, Maimu khalid, Datin Dayang Aminah Mayasin, Abdullah Bungsu, B Banun, Johnny Sung, Jeffry Su, Jeffry Sinau, Juen, WA Mumin, Petronella Lansing, Latifah Gindug, Ajirun Nordin, Sharifah Yahya, Ismail Shuib, Khalil Ahmad Noor and Moinis Simin. The list of awards were as follows: 1) Anugerah Khas YAB Ketua Menteri 2) Anugerah Sri Kinabalu, 3) Anugerah Penyenyi Sepanjang Zaman 4) Anugerah Kembara 5) Anugerah Penyanyi Popular and 6) Recognition Certificates.
As for the Anugerah Kembara award the winner was Ambrose Mudi for his master of music academic achievement, representation of Malaysia to overseas music seminarar and simposium and contribution to national and Kadazandusun music development. He recieved a trophy, a certificate and cash price of RM1,000 from chief minister YAB Datuk Sri Panglima Musa Haji Aman. The other award recepients were Datuk MY Ismail, Datuk Peter Pragas, John Gaisah, Ismail Jejaka, Peter Dicky Lee, Datuk Pat Micheal, Malim Wahid, Latifah Gindug, Ng Kui Ching, D Mariam and JaafarYunus.