The United Negro College Fund to Honor Smokey Robinson at 29th Annual An Evening Of Stars

The United Negro College Fund to Honor Smokey Robinson at 29th Annual An Evening Of Stars

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) announced today that legendary singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson will receive UNCF's prestigious Award of Excellence on its annual award-winning television special, An Evening of Stars(R). Previous honorees have been Aretha Franklin (2007), Stevie Wonder (2006), Quincy Jones (2005), and the late Lou Rawls (2004). The two-hour concert tribute will be taped at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. on Sept. 22, 2007, and will air nationwide in late January 2008. Tickets for the taping will go on sale Monday, August 27 through Ticketmaster.

Described by Bob Dylan as America's "greatest living poet," Robinson has been an active supporter of UNCF through his appearances on past An Evening of Stars (R) tributes, on the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars(R) telethon which preceded the new tribute program, and participation in numerous UNCF fundraising events.

"The award honors Smokey not only for his five-decade career as a creative artist, but also for the contribution he has made to helping students get the college education they need and deserve," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., president and CEO of UNCF. "His work on behalf of UNCF and its mission of minority education ensures that our message will reach the millions of viewers who will tune into this tribute concert," continued Lomax. "And the creative excellence for which Smokey is known sets a splendid example for our young people and the rest of us as well."

Robinson has received numerous awards including a Kennedy Center Honor, a Grammy Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctorate from Howard University, and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame and The Songwriters' Hall of Fame.

Born and raised in Detroit, Robinson founded The Miracles while still in high school. The group was Berry Gordy's first vocal group and it was at Robinson's suggestion that Gordy started the Motown Record dynasty. The Miracles' single "Shop Around" became Motown's first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen hits for the group as well as for other Motown artists including The Temptations, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye and others. "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Get Ready," "You Beat Me to the Punch," "Don't Mess with Bill," "Ain't That Peculiar," and "My Guy" are just a few of Robinson's songwriting triumphs during those years.

Robinson later turned to a solo career where he continued his tradition of hitmaking with "Just to See Her," "Quiet Storm," "Cruisin'," and "Being With You," among others.

Returning as executive producer and director of An Evening of Stars(R) is five-time Emmy Award winner Louis J. Horvitz whose credits include numerous years directing The Academy Awards, The Prime Time Emmy Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors, The ALMA Awards presented by the National Council of La Raza, and The People's Choice Awards. He has also directed The MTV Movie Awards as well as The American Film Institute (AFI) tributes to Robert DeNiro (2003), Meryl Streep (2004), George Lucas (2005), Sean Connery (2006), and Al Pacino (2007).

About An Evening of Stars(R)

An Evening of Stars(R) (AEOS), formerly the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars(R), first aired in 1979, and since that time has become one of the longest running and most successful televised events in U.S. history. Lou Rawls, a spokesperson for UNCF and champion for AEOS for more than 25 years, is credited with helping raise more than $200 million for the UNCF to supplement the cost of higher education for scholarship recipients and member institutions. This year's show, now in its 29th season, will have Target as the first-ever "Presenting Sponsor" for AEOS. Other corporate sponsors are American Airlines, McDonald's, Toyota, Wachovia, and AT&T. In recent years, AEOS has featured a Who's Who of recognizable talent, including Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Nancy Wilson, Beyonce, Jill Scott, Whoopi Goldberg, Patti LaBelle, Michael Bolton, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Hall and Oates, Ziggy Marley, Maroon 5, and scores of others. Learn more about AEOS at www.uncf.org/.

About UNCF

As the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund's mission is to provide financial support to its 39 member institutions and increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 25 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. Learn more about UNCF at www.uncf.org/.

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Source: United Negro College Fund

CONTACT: UNCF News Bureau, +1-703-205-3480, media@uncf.org

Web Site: http://www.uncf.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment