Gamble, Labelle Set For 'National Patriotism' Honor

Saturday, November 21, 2009

By NjaiJoszor | Posted on 03/18/09 | Filed Under: R&B News, Patti Labelle

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Patti Labelle and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree Kenny Gamble are set to receive the National Museum of Patriotism's highest honor for the symphonic recording of "I Am An American".

Labelle and Gamble, who released "I Am An American" last year, will be honored with the 'Patriotism Award' during a special ceremony in Atlanta.

Set for April 2, the duo will be honored during the unveiling of the Patriotism in Entertainment & Music Exhibits ceremonies where several items from the award-winning duo will be on display including Gold records and significant costumes from their extraordinary careers.

The ceremonies come just over two months since Gamble, father with co-producer Leon Huff of �The Sound of Philadelphia,� gave President Barack Obama a copy of �I Am An American� during inauguration festivities in Washington DC in which Harold Melvin�s Blue Notes performed the Gamble & Huff classic, �Wake Up Everybody,� an Obama favorite.

"I Am An American" has been available as a digital release through Sony BMG Masterworks since Independence Day weekend last year, making its World Premiere in Philadelphia before 800,000 revelers when �I Am an American� highlighted the traditional finale of the Sunoco Welcome America! celebration along the Ben Franklin Parkway on July 4th.

Early this summer, Philadelphia International Records (known for hundreds of classic hits by such artists as The O�Jays, Teddy Pendergrass and Patti LaBelle among many others) will be releasing �The Making of an Anthem: I Am An American, a behind-the-scenes documentary on DVD as �I Am An American� is made as the soundtrack to independence Day Fireworks celebrations across the nation. The documentary mixes fresh interviews and recording and performance footage with relevant historical video from the last century.

Kenny Gamble views �I Am An American� as a recording meant to inspire, uplift and encourage a sense of pride in the nation: �In recent times, Americans have been depressed about many things and not always happy about the country. The words of this song and the performance by Patti LaBelle and the Temple choirs and orchestra can lift the spirits for America that has always been destined to be a country standing for freedom, justice and equality. It is the first time in the history of humanity that we have people of all creeds, colors and races in one place at one time. This recording is about being proud to be an American because, we are doing a lot of great things right now. I�m hopeful that �I Am An American� will be a new song for our country, that it will raise our morale and raise the consciousness of the people at a time when destiny has put us at a turning point in our history as a nation.�

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