SANTA MONICA, CA. (Recording Academy) - Music's Biggest Night will come alive with the sights and sounds of southern soul music as an all-star cast of performers pay tribute to New Orleans on the 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards, The Recording Academy announced today. 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 outstanding 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 Buble, 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 Buble and Anoushka Shankar will be featured in a performance during the Pre-Telecast as well.
The GRAMMY Awards - the 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.
