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This page will be updated on a regular basis with breaking news and information. For regular updates and up to the minute information, please join the Dionne Warwick International Fan Club by contacting DWIFC@aol.com December 21:Dionne Warwick to Chair and Host the "American Music Inaugural Ball" and Special Events Surrounding the President-Elect Obama Inauguration with the Biggest Star-Studded Event in D.C.! WASHINGTON,(BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Warwick Will Host the "Legends Ball" (in Addition to Special Events) and Ludacris Will Host the "Urban Ball" on January 20 Held at Marriott Wardman Park Featuring Legendary and Contemporary Artists in R&B, Country, Pop, Soul, Gospel, Latin, Hip-Hop and Rap The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States marks the exciting and hope-filled beginning of the next chapter in American history--and some of the biggest legends and stars in music are going to be in the nation's Capital to "Rock with Barack" all night! On the evening of January 20, 2009, the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington will host D.C.'s largest celebration of the evening, with 4,000-6,000 guests expected to attend; marking the first-ever two- ball inauguration event in history, with the most diverse roster of talent. The host for the American Music Inaugural Ball and special events (see below) surrounding the inaugural, will be legendary, multiple Grammy Award winning singer Dionne Warwick, who is also the chair and host of its "Legends Ball" that will begin in the hotel's Marriott Ballroom at 8:00 p.m. The "Urban Ball", which begins simultaneously in the Thurgood Marshall Ballroom, will be chaired and hosted by three-time Grammy Award winning rapper and actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges. The two events will be affordable "People's Balls" compared to other major events in D.C. held that evening. AMIB, which will launch online ticket sales this Friday, December 5, promises to offer "the most bang for your buck" per ticket based on the high caliber lineup of talent set to perform. Tickets can be purchased through the official website connected with the American Music Inaugural Ball at www.AmericanMusicInauguralBalls.com It is the sole authorized outlet for online ticket sales for this event (there is an unauthorized and unofficial site by a similar name - ticket buyers will need to add the "s" in "Balls" to get to the Official site to purchase tickets). Says Warwick: "It is an honor and privilege for me to host AMIB and its events over what will undoubtedly be two of the most exciting days in American history." She continues, "On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, we celebrate with pride and joy the inauguration of President- Elect Barack Obama. Through the language of music comes unity, which is the hope he symbolizes for all of us. Music is the universal language that brings people of all colors, of all faiths, of all ethnicities from all over the globe together in unity." She adds: "Barack's campaign proved it can be done in America and worldwide. So why not a ball that represents this, or rather two balls that collectively show how American Music can unify us? Let's 'rock with Barack' in the Nation's Capital!" "I was extremely honored to learn that President-Elect Obama was a fan of mine," says Ludacris. "I am certainly a big fan of his. That's why it is such a great privilege to chair the 'Urban Ball'. We have done our part to elect a great leader; now we are coming together to celebrate his accomplishment and to ring in the new era and share the hope he has inspired in us. It is a beautiful thing to be a part of a history. Look at what happens when people come together and focus on our possibilities rather than our differences." Co-hosted by gospel star Yolanda Adams the "Legends Ball" will feature performances by Rodney Atkins, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Marvin Sapp, The Temptations (Dennis Edwards), Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Kirk Franklin, the H.B. Barnum Orchestra, The Caravans and Smokie Norful. The dress code is formal: tuxedos, ball gowns and "all of your finery." The "Urban Ball", co-hosted by Big Boi of Outkast, will feature performances by T-Pain, David Banner, Athena Cage, Cedric The Entertainer, The Cheetah Girls, Fantasia, Lil Jon, Monica, Bella Steez and Bobby Valentino. The dress code is: "Dress to Impress!" Casual attire not permitted. AMIB presenters for the evening include such celebs and sports figures as: Isaiah Washington, former NBA stars Jalen Rose, Kenny "The Jet" Smith and Reggie Miller, Tracey and Alonzo Mourning and current Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor who recently appeared on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Other special events will include an invitation-only Black Tie Dinner honoring American Heroes on Monday, January 19. On January 20, there will be a Continental Breakfast from 7:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m., a widescreen television viewing of President Elect Obama's Swearing In Ceremony from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST, a brunch from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and widescreen television viewing of the Inaugural Parade. Both the Legends Ball and the Urban Ball have receptions scheduled in their respective foyers at 6:00 p.m. October 30:DIONNE WARWICK, YOLANDA ADAMS, SHIRLEY CAESAR, CHAKA KHAN, CECE WINANS & OTHER GREATS HEADLINE AARP: SONGS OF SOUL AND INSPIRATION CONCERT EVENT WORLD PREMIERES SUN. OCT. 26 AT 9:00 P.M. ET ON GMC ATLANTA (Oct. 22, 2008) -- A once-in-a-lifetime assembly of female musical stars and legends representing 37 Grammy Awards, 34 #1 Hits and 27 #1 Albums take the stage in the world premiere special AARP: Songs of Soul and Inspiration debuting on Sunday night, Oct. 26 at 9 p.m. ET on the Gospel Music Channel television network. Shot this summer at Philips Arena in Atlanta and directed by GRAMMY and Tony Award-winning Debbie Allen, the one-hour celebration of AARP’s 50th anniversary boasts the vocal talents of contemporary gospel’s CeCe Winans and Yolanda Adams; the intimate jazz of Patti Austin, the silky pop of Dionne Warwick, the funk ’n’ soul of Chaka Khan, the traditional gospel of Shirley Caesar and more. In addition to the amazing individual performances, Songs of Soul and Inspiration featured a cross-generational pairing of former lead vocalist for Sounds of Blackness, Ann Nesby, and her granddaughter, 19-year-old Paris Bennett, a Season 5 finalist on American Idol. AARP: Songs of Soul and Inspiration will have multiple encore broadcasts including immediately following the world premiere at 10 p.m. and again in prime time on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 9 p.m. For complete Gospel Music Channel programming, visit http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/schedule. AARP: Sounds of Soul and Inspiration is part of nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration. This concert program honored the musical legacy of the African American church. The performers, who as young women, took their powerful and poignant calling out to a world, had over the years made their way to recording studios, stages and concert halls, their voices bending, twisting and stretching to new heights. Over time, each woman became a star, building an ever-widening audience, eager to hear both her hit records and her unwavering messages of hope and inspiration. Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today and can be seen in more than 40 million homes nationwide and on DirecTV Channel 338. May 24:
Say a Little Prayer Description: American icon and international superstar Dionne Warwick presents an inspiring and entertaining children’s picture book that encourages kids to find their best talent in life and embrace it. “Little D” is ambling through childhood like any other little kid-enjoying her family and neighbors, her pet dog, her hobbies, and school-when one day she discovers that she has a special talent. In her first-ever singing performance in front of an audience, Little D brings the house down! And she discovers, with her grandfather’s encouragement (“If you think it, you can do it!”), that everyone has a special talent and it’s up to each person to find it, embrace it, perfect it, and enjoy it! The book includes audio CD featuring an exclusive recording of the gospel song “Jesus Loves Me” (the first song young Dionne performed before an audience, as told in the book), as well as a reading of the book by Ms. Warwick. April 20:Dionne has a new children's book coming out: "Say a Little Prayer". You can view/order it at Amazon.com April 14:
The Drinkard Singers were an American gospel singing group, most successful in the late 1950s and important in the careers of Dr. Emily "Cissy" Houston, Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick and Judy Clay. The driving inspiration behind the Drinkard Singers was factory worker Nicholas "Nitch" Drinkard, who encouraged his children to form a gospel singing group in Savannah, GA around 1938. The original group comprised Emily Drinkard (now known as Dr. Emily "Cissy" Houston), her sister Anne, and brothers Nick and Larry. Another sister, Lee, served as the group's manager, and, as Lee Drinkard Warrick, became the mother of both Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick. By the early 1950s, the family had moved to New Jersey, and had added another sister, Marie Epps and Ann Moss to the group. Anne Drinkard left and was replaced by Lee's adopted daughter Judy Guions, who was later known as Judy Clay. Performing regularly in Newark, they recorded several singles. After an appearance at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival, they recorded the first gospel album to appear on a major label, the live album A Joyful Noise, for RCA Records in 1959. On May 17, 2008 at The New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, NJ you are invited to join us for an afternoon of stellar, soul-stirring gospel music performances at the 4th Annual Drinkard Family Scholarship Concert. Scheduled to appear that day are gospel recording artists Dionne Warwick, Grammy Award Winner Dr. Emily "Cissy" Houston, Gospel Music Pioneer Alvin Darling & Celebration and the Sanctuary Choir of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Washington, DC. Donations are $35 ($25 for Seniors) and available by contacting the church office Monday - Friday (9am-5PM) at 973.622.4547. Scholarship donations (by check) can be made out to "Star Girl Productions" and mailed to the following address: Alan Williams Please be sure to note "donation" on your check and keep a copy for your tax records. February 28:More Information about Dionne's new CD "Why We Sing":
Preview the album songs with any one of the links below: February 14:CD Release "WHY WE SING" (March 2008) As soulful as she is sophisticated in her distinctive vocal stylings, five-time GRAMMY®-winning superstar Dionne Warwick is a globally beloved music icon and humanitarian. Warwick first climbed the charts in 1962 with her debut hit single, "Don't Make Me Over," penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David-she emerged as the foremost interpreter of their compositions, and remains so. Over the course of an illustrious, hit-filled career that's endured more than 45 years and spans five decades, Warwick has also become a true contemporary music legend. With the inspirational WHY WE SING, she builds on her legacy with a new studio album, following up a duets collection and her first-ever holiday music release. It will, no doubt, also remind us why we love Dionne Warwick. For five-time GRAMMY®winner and pop/R&B vocal superstar Dionne Warwick, the music she heard in church was her first great inspiration. The disc opens with Warwick's rich, stirring rendition of "Glory Glory" (a.k.a. "Battle Hymn Of "). On "Jesus Loves Me," Dionne revisits the first song she sang as a congregation member at the St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Newark, NJ - when she was six years old. With "Rise, Shine And Give God The Glory," she pays tribute to her family's overall gospel heritage - the number was first popularized by the Drinkard Singers, a group that included her mother, aunts and uncles. Highlights also include "I'm Going Up," featuring gospel star BeBe Winans and the title track, "Why We Sing," with Dionne's sister, Dee Dee Warwick. Warwick's son David Elliott duets with her on "Seven," a song he also wrote and produced, and son Damon (who's written for Destiny's Child, Jessica Simpson, Macy Gray and Pink) produced many other tracks. * Battle Hymn Of The Republic * I'm Going Up - featuring Bebe Winans * With All My Heart * Old Landmark * The World Needs Jesus * I Lift My Heart * Jesus Loves Me * Show Me The Way * Why We Sing - featuring Dee Dee Warwick * Rise, Shine And Give God The Glory * The Lord Is My Shepherd * Seven - featuring David Elliott February 14:DIONNE WARWICK STATES HER LOVE FOR BRAZIL ON CD and DVD The lovely relationship between Dionne Warwick and Brazil will be shared with her fans this May, 2008. To be released worldwide by Warner Music, the CD/DVD "Dionne Warwick & Friends", celebrates the mutual admiration between the North American singer and Brazil's greatest composers and interpreters. Recorded on August 21, 2007 at the Via Funchal, in São Paulo, during the commemorative tour of 45 years of Dionne´s career the show had very special guests. Gilberto Gil shared the stage with Dionne on "Sarará Crioulo", Jorge Benjor on "Mas que nada", Ivan Lins on "She Walks this Earth", Simone on "Começar de Novo" (with Ivan Lins at the piano), Emílio Santiago on "Aquarela do Brasil" and Batacotô on "Virou Areia". Recorded in the studio, Milton Nascimento shows up in a duet with Dionne on "Travessia". But the emotions don't stop here. With her band, Dionne sings her greatest successes, like "I Say A Little Prayer", "Alfie", "Do You Know The Way To San Jose", "Walk On By", "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself", "Close To You", "Anyone Who Had a Heart", "The Windows of the World", "Wishin' and Hopin", "Heartbreaker" , "I'll Never Love This Way Again", among others. Biggest interpreter of the composer and conductor Burt Bacharach along with Lyricist Hal David, winner of 5 Grammy's, Dionne reserved the main surprise for the end of the show: her granddaughter of 13 years old, Cheyenne Elliott. She was given a standing ovation when the girl was sang with her grandmother "That's What Friends Are For", followed by all the All-Star Cast. At this time Miss Warwick is on a world tour. Dionne will have concerts in the United States before coming back to Brazil in August, 2008 for concerts to promote the CD/DVD releases.
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