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  Santa Mónica (California), USA - The sights and sounds of
southern soul music from the United States will be celebrated by an all-star
cast of performers who will pay tribute to New Orleans on the 48th Annual GRAMMY
Awards, The Recording Academy announced February 7th. This special segment will
include artists from various musical genres, including New Orleans' own local
legends
Allen
Toussaint, Dr. John and "Soul Queen of New Orleans" Irma Thomas; rockers
Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, and U2's The Edge; and soul
singer Sam Moore.
Our Academy represents thousands of music people across the country, many of
whom were directly affected by the New Orleans tragedy," said Neil Portnow,
President of The Recording Academy. "Music's Biggest Night wouldn't be
complete if we didn't take this unique opportunity to pay homage to a region
with such rich musical history and culture. New Orleans, we'll always be there
for you."
Additionally, singer/songwriters Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crow and Sting, all of whom
are previous GRAMMY Award winners, have been announced as presenters.
These artists join previously announced performers Mariah Carey, John Legend and
Kanye West — all with eight nominations each; Madonna with Gorillaz; Paul
McCartney; Kelly Clarkson (who also is an honorary member of The Academy's
What's The Download® Board); Bruce Springsteen; U2 and Mary J. Blige; Coldplay;
Faith Hill and Keith Urban; Christina Aguilera and Herbie Hancock; Jay-Z with
Linkin Park; Jamie Foxx with Kanye West; Sugarland; an all-star tribute to Sly
And The Family Stone featuring Maroon 5, Will.I.Am of The Black Eyed Peas,
Robert Randolph, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Joss Stone, John
Legend, Ciara and Devin Lima; and nominee Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship
Choir join Mariah Carey. Previously announced presenters include Big & Rich,
Chris Brown, Michael Bublé, Dave Chappelle, Common (who also is an honorary
What's The Download Board member), Destiny's Child, Matt Dillon, Jenna Elfman,
Tom Hanks, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Terrence Howard, Alicia Keys,
Queen Latifah, Ludacris, Bonnie Raitt, and James Taylor.
Hosting the GRAMMY Pre-Telecast ceremony are revered rock guitarist Steve Vai
and TV personality Giselle Fernandez; presenters for the Pre-Telecast include
nominees Jars Of Clay, Shirley Caesar, Nnenna Freelon, Delbert McClinton; and
K-Mozart radio personality and conductor/composer John Santana. Michael Bublé
and
Anoushka Shankar will be featured in a performance during the Pre-Telecast
as well.
The GRAMMY Awards — the American music industry's premier event — will take
place on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be
broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m.
(ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide,
and covered online at www.grammy.yahoo.com.
The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions in
association with Ken Ehrlich Productions for The Recording Academy. John
Cossette and Ken Ehrlich are executive producers, Walter C. Miller is
producer/director, Tisha Fein is the coordinating producer, and Tzvi Small is
executive in charge of production.
Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc.,
also known as The Recording Academy, is an organization of musicians, producers,
engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the
cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally
known for the GRAMMY Awards, The Recording Academy is responsible for
groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy,
education and human services programs — including the creation of the national
public education campaign What's The
Download. For more information, visit
www.grammy.com.
[Photo: Allen Toussaint].
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