Music2Nite Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Aretha Franklin's Debut Album with a Giveaway!

Sony Music Entertainment is proud to celebrate the 50th ANNIVERSARY of Aretha Franklin's debut pop album release this week. Signed to Columbia Records by the legendary John Hammond in the spring of 1960 (soon after her 18th birthday), Aretha released her first pop LP, Aretha (With The Ray Bryant Combo), on February 27, 1961. Her coming of age at Columbia as a young artist in New York City is one of the great stories in the annals of popular music, and set the stage for her ascendance as the Queen of Soul.

In honor of this very special anniversary, Music2Nite will offer ONE copy of  the album "Aretha Franklin: The Great American Songbook" each day of this week!

ENTER MUSIC2NITE'S ARETHA FRANKLIN GIVEAWAY:

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You will be automatically entered to win a copy of "Aretha Franklin: The Great American Songbook", once you subscribe to, like or follow Music2Nite. It's that easy, and we've got 8 copies to give away! That's 1 copy each day!

This incredible giveaway will run from Sunday, February 27th through Sunday, March 6th 11:59pm EST!

WINNERS: will be contacted directly through e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter.

Columbia / Legacy also commemorate this momentous anniversary with TAKE A LOOK: ARETHA FRANKLIN COMPLETE ON COLUMBIA, available March 22, 2011 (www.arethafranklin.net).

Aretha Franklin - Works on New Album

Aretha Franklin, who recently cancelled all public appearances and shows, is on her road to recovery and is currently working on a new album. Last week, a tribute was given at the Grammys for the soul singer, it was a very special performance which Aretha Franklin appreciated greatly.

Not only did she make her first public appearance last week, but now she also confirmed that she is planning to release her new album "Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love" on May 3rd. Guest appearances on the album have been confirmed from R Kelly and Billy Dee Williams.

Aretha Franklin is set to perform next at the Seneca Niagara Casino in Buffalo, New York on May 28th. This will be her first show since she had to take some time off.

The Best of the 2011 Grammys

I've put together a list of videos of the performances I enjoyed the most during tonight's Grammy Awards. These include the tribute to Aretha Franklin, Esperanza Spalding, Barbra Streisand, Mick Jagger and Raphael Saadiq, Bruno Mars, B.o.B, Janelle Monae, Lady Antebellum, and Cee-Lo Green and the Muppets (without Gwyneth Paltrow, can't remember her actually).

The best surprise of the night was Esperanza Spalding's win in the Best New Artist category. I was rooting for her so much, couldn't be happier for her! What an artist!

Mick Jagger and Raphael Saadiq were a great duo on stage, they really worked it! Would be nice to see them again collaborating on something else.

I was also thrilled to see Lady Antebellum win so many awards, they play so well together. Great vocals, great songs, and great music.

The Pre-GRAMMY Telecast was also great, lots of very talented artists were rewarded. Among these include Mavis Staples and Herbie Hancock. Mavis Staples also performed with Cyndi Lauper, Maria Muldaur, and Betty Wright during the Pre-GRAMMY Telecast. Super funky Trombone Shorty was also phenomenal, make sure to check him out!

New Aretha Franklin Box-Set & Grammy Awards Honor

 

Sony Music commemorates the 50th Year Anniversary of Aretha Franklin's first Columbia Records album release, and ascent into the pop music scene, with TAKE A LOOK: ARETHA FRANKLIN COMPLETE ON COLUMBIA (Available March 22 – www.arethafranklin.net). 

The Undisputed Queen of Soul will be honored at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards® Ceremony this Sunday 2/13 with a star-studded musical celebration including performances by Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride, and Florence Welch!

TAKE A LOOK: ARETHA FRANKLIN COMPLETE ON COLUMBIA 

•11CD + 1DVD box set presents Aretha's entire Columbia output in one package for the first time in replica LP artwork: 7 original Columbia albums, 2 CDs of studio sessions, and 2 new CD compilations. 

•Includes master takes, unissued performances, rare mono mixes and studio conversations. 

•DVD presents a breath-taking Aretha singing 5 songs on the Steve Allen Show (1964).

•explores how Aretha Franklin’s musical and aesthetic development at Columbia Records set the path for her later hits at Atlantic – how the “Queen In Waiting” became the Queen of Soul.

Aretha Franklin - To be Honored with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams and Florence Welch will all participate in an homage for the one and only Aretha Franklin! The soul singer will be the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award this Sunday.

The special segment which will start the show is set to feature individual and collective performances of classic hits of the Queen of Soul. Esperanza Spalding will also perform with members of the Grammy Jazz Ensembles. Although Aretha Franklin would have like to be there, she needs to take some time off due to medical issues. However, she does say that she is fine and can't wait to get out there again! "I will be at home, I won't be there, but I will be in the middle of the telecast." "I'm feeling super, absolutely super," Franklin told CNN Tuesday. "I'm doing very well, and I can't wait to get back out there."

Aretha Franklin is up for an award with Ron Isley for best R&B performance by a duo/group for their collaboration on You've Got a Friend.

Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin – Apollo Legends

 

Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin are both set to be inducted into the Apollo Theatre's Hall of Fame in New York, on June 14th. Both singers will be named Apollo Legends during the gala. The Apollo was an important time in the launch of Michael Jackson’s career, as he appeared with the Jackson Five in the late 1960s for the Apollo’s Amateur Night.

Others to be honored for their humanitarian work include Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis. They will receive the Arts and Humanitarian Award.

Jamie Foxx will host the gala, which will start at 6:30 p.m. with a red carpet event, followed by the Benefit concert and awards ceremony.

Mandela Day Line Up

Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Queen Latifah have all signed up for the 'Mandela Day'.

According to organizers, each artist will participate in a July 18 concert to raise awareness and funds with the intention of creating an official Mandela Day to be held annually on his birthday, July 18.

Tickets for the event, taking place at Radio City Music Hall, are currently on sale through Ticketmaster, Live Nation and thegarden.com.

Other artists and actors lined up for this event include Will.I.Am, Wyclef Jean, Dave Stewart, Lil Kim, Jesse McCartney, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Gaynor, Emmanuael Jal, Suzanna Owiyo, Whoppi Goldberg, Forest Whitaker, and Morgan Freeman.

Read more about Mandela Day here.