Bermuda Unveils the Talent Line-Up of International Superstars for the 13th Annual Bermuda Music Festival

Bermuda Unveils the Talent Line-Up of International Superstars for the 13th Annual Bermuda Music Festival

Bermuda's Most Illustrious Event in Music Festival History

HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Bermuda Department of Tourism announced today 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 sponsored event, produced by Gibraltar Promotions LLC., in association with Yhoshi Productions LTD., 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 the soulful sounds of R&B legends, The Whispers. On day two of the festival, world-renowned megastar and music icon, Beyonce 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 a close with an evening full of sounds from international superstar Alicia Keys.

"Our goal with the Bermuda Music Festival is to consistently make it better and consistently raise the bar," said Bermuda's Premier, Minister of Tourism and Transport, Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP. "With the talent lineup announced today I'm confident we are on track to make the 2008 Bermuda Music Festival the most exciting and most successful to date."

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.

Beyonce 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. Beyonce's #1 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 #1 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, Beyonce released her second solo album "B'DAY" which won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album, resulting in Beyonce's 10th Grammy win overall and 7th win as a solo artist. In November of that year, the American Music Awards honored Beyonce with the International Artist Award making her the first woman in AMA history and sixth artist overall to be recognized with the prestigious award.

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."

Alicia Keys has built an unparalleled repertoire of hits and accomplishments with over 28 million albums sold worldwide. Throughout her career, Keys has earned numerous accolades. In addition to eleven Grammy Awards, she's nabbed eleven Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, three World Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, three MTV Europe Awards, two Nickelodeon Teen Choice Awards, two BET Awards, fourteen NAACP Image Awards, seven Soul Train Music Awards, two Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, one People's Choice Award, one My VH1 Award and more.

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: www.GibraltarPromotionsllc.com or www.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 EDT. For additional details and package information, please visit the Bermuda Music Festival website at www.bermudamusicfestival.com or call 1-888-909-8881. There is an eight ticket purchase limit per person, per performance.

About Bermuda:

Bermuda, just under two hours from East Coast gateway cities, stretches for 21 miles along turquoise waters and is surrounded by a 200-square-mile coral reef plateau. Bermuda's diverse activities offer an array of vacation options, including more wreck dives than anywhere else in the world, championship golf, horseback riding, world-renowned deep sea fishing and smooth pink beaches to rest on by day's end.

Accommodations range from luxury resorts to intimate guest cottages and family-run inns, all incorporating the sophistication and hospitality unique to the Bermuda experience. For more information, visit www.bermudatourism.com or call 800-BERMUDA (800-237-6832).

    CONTACT: Kelly Petrone             Corbin & Associates, Ltd.             (212) 246-5520             Kelly@corbinpr.com  

Source: Bermuda Department of Tourism

CONTACT: Kelly Petrone of Corbin & Associates, Ltd. for Bermuda
Department of Tourism, +1-212-246-5520, Kelly@corbinpr.com

Web site: http://www.bermudamusicfestival.com/
http://www.gibraltarpromotionsllc.com/
http://www.rocknewman.com/
http://www.bermudatourism.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment