::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Background:   The article below captures the history of Gospel Music Heritage Monthl.  It also cover the Grammys Salute to Gospel Music event.  It is a rare account of how the observation was formally announced durig the special event.  Prior to the event members of government and the gospel community came to gether to advocate for music right son Capitol Hill.  The article is being re-reun here for the historic record and to cap off Gospel Music Heritage Month 2021. By Mona Austin (Washington, DC) --A sudden downpour of rain washed out the red carpet plans for the 2008 Grammy Salute to Gospel Music, but could not dampen the spirit  at the East Coast tribute event. As a throng of impatient fans were kept waiting outdoors to be seated for over an hour--some reportedly requesting a refund--the President of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow played doorman. Press scrambled to the interior of Washington D.C.'s historic Lincoln Theater and his team to find “Pla...

Every year musicians and artists descend upon the U.S. Capitol to advocate for music rights.  White they are in Washington, DC they honor  lawmakers and their own for their advocacy. This year, gospel's Yolanda Adams and Broadway's Kristen Chenoweth were the honored artists  They both served as performers at the event which was held at the Hamilton Hotel.  Senators Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Chuck Grassley were also recognized for their support of the Music Modernization Act, a bi-partisan effort that passed last year. Grammy winners PJ Morton and lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, Linda Perry  also performed.  Morton opened the event with a soulful rendition of the National Anthem and Perry ended with lawmakers packing the stage to rock out to "What's Going On".  She also sang  sang “Beautiful,” which she wrote for Christina Aguilera. Yolanda Adams House Speaker Nancy Pelosi