Five-time Grammy Award winner Robert Cray launches the June 8-17 Gettysburg Festival with the blues, a purely American music style completely fitting for a festival focused on American arts, culture and cuisine.

More than 75 additional events explore a full range of American art forms: Broadway-style improv theater, farm-to-table culinary events designed by a former White House chef, traditional as well as contemporary brass, America’s largest gathering of historical artists, up-and-coming Americana folk trio Red Molly, and a choral concert exploring the roots of America’s Negro spirituals, along with much more.

Cray, credited with carrying America’s blues tradition into the 21st century, was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011 and has based a successful career spanning 35 years upon his soulful voice, creative guitar work, and songs bridging the gaps between blues, rock, soul, gospel and jazz.

The blues-tinged theme continues as blues singer Shemekia Copeland teams up with the festival’s most popular culinary event, “Blues, Beer & BBQ.” The Boston Globe writes, “She roars with a sizzling hot intensity.”

“This 5th anniversary festival builds on a strong foundation of musical excellence at Gettysburg Festival, but also explores a wider range of musical styles than ever before, including not only blues, but brass, rock, Americana/folk, and choral music,” said Festival Executive Director Beth Kirby.

The Gettysburg Festival presents a rich musical history of America through the show Then Sings My Soul: Songs and Spirituals from the American Experience, featuring award-winning mezzo-soprano Cheryse McLeod Lewis. Spirituals, rooted in the Civil War era, are combined with inspirational Broadway favorites and historical narration which commemorates Juneteenth.

Perennial festival favorite, the free All-American Brass Picnic includes a day-long lineup of performers including the critically-acclaimed “dream team” of brass – Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass.

The Festival’s 2012 theater highlight is the interactive Broadway’s Next H!T Musical, hailed by The New York Times as “hilarious” thanks to a veteran cast of improv actors who bring audience ideas to life. Culinary event “Chocolate on Broadway” follows with a late-night, chocolate-infused menu.

Culinary events, sprinkled throughout the festival, feature a potpourri of personalities: former White House Chef Walter Scheib, Biker Billy (Bill Hufnagle), and Farmer Lee Jones, nationally known in the sustainable agricultural movement.

For more information on Gettysburg Festival events including tickets: www.gettysburgfestival.org, 717-334-0853.

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Tony Bennett earned his 16th and 17th Grammys at the 2012 Grammy’s with wins in both categories he was nominated for : Best Traditional Pop Album for Duets II and Best Vocal Collaboration with Duo or Group for “Body and Soul,” his duet with the late Amy Winehouse. Amy Winehouse’s parents, Mitch and Janis, joined Bennett on stage to accept the Grammy Award on behalf of their daughter, who passed away last year and whose last recording was her duet with Tony.

Bennett is the only artist to have a 50 year span of Grammy wins, having garnered his first Grammy Award in 1962 for Record of the Year with his signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”  Bennett appeared on last night’s Grammy telecast with Carrie Underwood performing the song “It Had To Be You,” from the Duets II CD and the two were presenters for the Best New Artist Category.

Duets II also earned a third Grammy last night for Jorge Calandrelli in the Best Instrument Arrangement with Vocal category for his work on “Who Can I Turn To?,” Tony Bennett’s duet with Queen Latifah.

Bennett celebrates another 50 year milestone this year with the anniversary of the recording and release of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and will be honored by the City by the Bay in a ceremony to be held at San Francisco’s City Hall on Valentine’s Day where it will be declared Tony Bennett Day.

Tony Bennett’s Duets II was released last fall in celebration of the singer’s 85th birthday and featured Tony performing his greatest hits with today’s biggest stars including Lady Gaga, Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli and Faith Hill. Bennett made music history when the CD debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts making him the oldest artist to ever achieve a #1 recording.

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Sirius XM Radio has announced that five-time Grammy-winning musician, actor, artist, activist and humanitarian Ziggy Marley will host a new monthly show, Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae. The monthly show will launch on Sunday, February 5, the eve of the birthday of his late father, Bob Marley, at 12:00 pm ET on The Joint, channel 42. This first episode features Ziggy speaking in depth with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff.

Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae will feature Marley sharing his unique perspective on music and culture and introducing listeners to his favorite reggae music and sources of inspiration (with some rarities), plucked from his own personal collection.

The show will also include music from the Marley family, including material from Ziggy’s most recent solo studio album, Wild and Free, and throwback selections dating back to his days as a Melody Maker. In addition to Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae will feature other special guests on the monthly show.

“It is my privilege to use this medium to honor the Legends of Reggae and to use it as a vehicle to educate and enlighten listeners,” said Ziggy Marley.

“Through his show, Ziggy will be able to share with our subscribers reggae music from the beginning to now with insight unique to him and his family,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “Hearing songs from his personal collections and his conversations with the greats of reggae is something music fans will treasure, and we are honored to launch the show on the eve of the birthday of his father, the late Bob Marley.”

Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Reggae will air the first Saturday of each month at 12:00 pm ET, and will be rebroadcast the next day, Sunday, at 2:00 pm ET. Ziggy Marley was born in 1968 in Trenchtown, Jamaica. Ziggy began his musical career playing with his father, reggae legend Bob Marley, and his siblings Sharon, Cedella and Stephen in 1979.

The siblings became known as Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, and released over 11 albums, three of which were Grammy winners.  Ziggy has released several solo albums since 2003, including: Dragonfly; his Grammy Award-winning Love Is My Religion; Family Time, which won him his fifth career Grammy, but his first in the children’s arena; and the Grammy-nominated Wild and Free.

Always politically aware, Ziggy has also been involved with the United Nations, and has formed his own charity U.R.G.E as well as contributed in various ways to other charities such as Little Kids Rock, Amnesty International. In 2010, Ziggy and his brothers Rohan and Robbie traveled to South Africa to film the documentary Marley Africa Road Trip.

In 2011, the 30-year career of Ziggy Marley continued stronger than ever with the “MarijuanaMan” comic book. Ziggy continues to tour and perform at festivals internationally as well as at his own Legends of Reggae festival in California.

The Joint plays reggae music from its roots to today from artists like Bob Marley & the Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Vybz Kartel, Capleton, Dennis Brown, Sizzla, Beres Hammond and Jah Cure. The joint also features Marley Monday, the weekly tribute special to Bob Marley.

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