Bermuda’s most illustrious event in music festival history

Bermuda Department of Tourism have announced the star studded lineup for the 2008 Bermuda Music Festival, being hosted, once again, by Steve Harvey. From October 1-4, 2008, the Bermuda Department of Tourism, in association with Gibraltar Promotions LLC., and Yhoshi Productions Ltd will produce a world-class event that is sure to make headlines all over the world.

Kicking off the 13th annual event on October 1st at the Fairmont Southampton Beach Club will be sultry sounds of The Whispers. On day two of the festival, world-renowned artist and music icon, Beyoncé will light up the stage of the National Sports Centre. On October 3rd, British reggae band, UB40 is sure to bring fans to their feet. Finally, on Saturday October 4th, the Bermuda Music Festival will come to close with an evening full of sounds from award winning singer, songwriter, actress and pianist Alicia Keyes. Soulful songbird, Aaron Neville will open for Alicia Keyes.

Eleven time Grammy Award winner and eleven time Billboard Music Award winner, Alicia Keyes has built an unparalleled repertoire of hits and accomplishments with over 28 million albums sold worldwide. “Songs in a Minor,” which spawned her signature hit “Fallin,” sold more than 10 million copies and garnered five Grammy Awards including Best New Artist and Best R&B Album. Alicia’s follow-up disc, 2004’s “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” which is currently seven times platinum, captured four Grammy Awards and featured the hits “If I Ain’t Got You,” “You Don’t Know My Name,” and “Karma.”

With the 2005 release of Unplugged, which has sold two million copies, Keys became the first female R&B artist to have three consecutive #1 debuts on the Billboard 200 album chart in as many releases.

Beyoncé Knowles has become one of the most widely recognized and highly respected women in pop culture. In 2001, she became the first African-American woman and the second woman ever to take home the ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year Award. Beyoncé’s number one multi-platinum debut solo album, "Dangerously In Love," earned her five Grammy Awards.

She made chart history in 2003 when she became the first artist in 20 years, and the first female recording artist ever, to simultaneously reach number one in the US and the UK with both her album "Dangerously In Love" and single "Crazy In Love," a feat accomplished by a mere handful of artists including the Beatles and Rod Stewart.

On September 4, 2006, Beyoncé released her second solo album "B'DAY" which won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album, resulting in Beyoncé's 10th Grammy win overall and 7th win as a solo artist. In November of that year, the American Music Awards honoured Beyoncé with the International Artist Award making her the first woman in AMA history and sixth artist overall to be recognized with the prestigious award.

One of R&B music’s most beloved and consistently popular vocal groups, The Whispers, began their legendary and timeless career in 1963, producing a string of hits over the last four decades such as “And the Beat Goes On,” “Rock Steady,” “A Song For Donny,” and “Lady”.

They emerged as the leading romantic singers of their generation, racking up one gold album after another and charting numerous R&B hits. They are arguably the most celebrated R&B balladeers of their generation and still make women swoon with their silky yet forceful tenors of twins Walter and Scotty.

UB40 have combined musical excellence with social conscience in a way that remains unrivalled in this or any other era. UB40 have for almost three decades now been ambassadors of a musical form that is barely four decades old, seeing it through virtually from its infancy in the mid-‘70s to maturity today.

One of UB40’s most redeeming and endearing qualities is their ability to appeal to fans from all walks of life regardless of race, class or creed. It is these endearing qualities that have earned them a legion of fans across the globe. Some of UB40’s biggest hits include "Red Red Wine,” "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," and "I Got You Babe."

Aaron Neville is the third of the four famous Neville Brothers of New Orleans. Aaron has won four Grammys: in 1989 for Best Pop Duo with Linda Ronstadt for “Don’t Know Much;” in 1989 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance with the Neville Brothers for “Healing Chant;” in 1990 for Best Pop Duo with Linda Ronstadt for “All My Life;” and for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals with Trisha Yearwood for “I Fall to Pieces” in 1994.

He was named “Best Male Singer” two straight years in the Rolling Stone critics’ poll. Aaron has recorded a dozen solo albums ranging in genre from gospel to country.

Comedian, actor and radio personality, Steve Harvey, is a force to be reckoned with. The comedian hit the silver screens in 2004 with two movie releases. After completing a second season of the WB’s “Steve Harvey’s Big Time Challenge,” his latest blockbuster animated live action family film, “Racing Stripes,” hit theatres this past January. “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” boasted ratings with loyal listeners over its first five years.

Today, “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” is syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks and airs in 18 markets including New York, Dallas, Washington, DC, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, Kansas City and Philadelphia.

This year’s Bermuda Music Festival is being produced by Gibraltar Promotion LLC., in association with Yhoshi Productions LTD. Gibraltar Promotions is a full service marketing, promotions and event production firm headed by Rock Newman, former manager to Heavyweight Champion, Riddick Bowe. Dubbed by Jet Magazine, the “Renaissance Man,” Mr. Newman is now using his experience and expertise to spearhead what promises to be Bermuda’s most illustrious event in music festival history.

Gibraltar Promotions LLC., is headquartered in Las Vegas, with offices in New York, Washington D.C. and Bermuda. For more information visit: GibraltarPromotionsllc.com or RockNewman.com.

Tickets for the 2008 Bermuda Music Festival will go on sale to the public through internet, phones and On Island ticket outlets beginning Thursday, May 22nd at 5:00 am EST. For additional details and package information, please visit the Bermuda Music Festival website at bermudamusicfestival.com. There is an eight ticket purchase limit per person, per performance.