'PEOPLE' & The Recording Academy Announce 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards Kick-Off Party In LA

SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) - PEOPLE magazine and The Recording Academy announced today that they will celebrate the 50th GRAMMY Awards season with an exclusive event in Los Angeles. PEOPLE magazine's Official GRAMMY Kick-Off Party will take place on Dec. 6, 2007, at Avalon Hollywood, the evening the GRAMMY nominations are announced.

Multi-platinum, three-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist Fergie will host the event with three of the hottest names in music performing. Fall Out Boy will headline the show, with additional performances by singer/songwriter Ne-Yo and singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield. DJ Reach will keep the party moving into the night. Celebrities, musical artists and trendsetters will join executives from the music and entertainment industries for this special night.

"The Recording Academy is thrilled to host our kick-off party the same evening we announce our 50th GRAMMY nominations, especially given our milestone year," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "We are pleased to once again work with our partner PEOPLE magazine to make this incredible celebration happen with exciting musical performances."

"PEOPLE is excited to be partnering with The Recording Academy to kick off GRAMMY season for the second year in a row," said Paul Caine, President, Time Inc. Entertainment Group. "This alliance allows us to create custom opportunities for our advertisers at a VIP event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of one of the most important organizations in entertainment."

Mark, the beauty and fashion boutique brand by Avon, is the event's platinum sponsor. A mark "Hook up Beauty Bar" will showcase the iconic mark hook up collection of customizable products for eyes, cheeks and lips, as well as a touch-up station where guests can have their makeup refreshed by celeb makeup artists, Troy Surrat, Mai Quynh, Kayleen McAdams, Monika Blunder and others.

Red Bull is providing DJ Reach at the event, with branding above the DJ booth. In addition, Skyy Vodka, another sponsor of the event, will have a branded, designed satellite bar where guests will be served specialty cocktails. Skyy Vodka will be the only vodka poured during the event.

The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Feb. 10, 2008, at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and broadcast by the CBS Television Network (8 - 11:30 p.m. ET/PT). PEOPLE is the official print media partner of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Awards.