Mr. Gossett to host “Raising the Roof!” a MLK Tribute Concert
September 8th, 2008
Sewee Entertainment
Academy Award Winning Actor Louis Gossett, Jr. to host
“Raising the Roof!” - MLK Tribute Concert for Jan/Feb 2009
Sewee Entertainment announced today that Academy Award Winning Actor Louis Gossett, Jr. will host of “Raising the Roof!” - a one-hour televised Tribute Concert honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mr. Gossett, Jr., is perhaps best known for his performance in the ground breaking 1977 television series “Roots” for which he won an Emmy and his Oscar winning performance as the hard charging drill sergeant in the movie, “An Officer and a Gentleman.” An enduring presence for more than five decades, Mr Gossett ranks as one of the most respected and beloved actors of stage, screen, and television. In addition to his Oscar he is the recipient of multiple Golden Globes and People’s Choice Awards
His performances have connected him with fans on a global scale. In 2006 he founded the Eracism Foundation, which works towards developing and producing entertainment that brings awareness and education to issues such as racism, ignorance and societal apathy.
“Raising the Roof” is produced through a partnership involving The Boston Children’s Chorus and WCVB-TV, the highly respected Hearst-Argyle TV station in Boston. Past hosts of “Raising the Roof” have included “Good Morning America” Anchor Robin Roberts as well as ABC News Anchor/Correspondents Deborah Roberts and Ron Claiborne.
The event is fittingly filmed before a live audience at The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. It was on the steps of that building that a young woman named Coretta Scott met an aspiring Boston University doctoral candidate named Martin Luther King, Jr.
The uplifting and energized one-hour concert will be taped before a live audience and will feature the talented singers of the Boston Children’s Chorus along with the Young Peoples Chorus of New York City. The event also offers a series of multi-cultural reflections exploring the on-going impact of Dr. King.
WCVB-TV will handle production. Executive Producer Elizabeth Cheng and Producer Stella Gould created the National Primetime Emmy-nominated Boston Pops concert, “Pops Goes the Fourth,” which aired on the Arts and Entertainment Network for ten years. Cheng has also executive produced numerous specials for A&E and the History Channel.
Sewee Entertainment will handle Ad Sales & Syndication.
“Raising the Roof” is being offered to broadcast TV stations on barter terms 6/6. The special is available live on the MLK holiday, January 19th at 7-8 PM, or thereafter until Feb 28, 2009.
For interviews with Mr. Gossett contact: Colette Phillips @ Colette Phillips Communications, Inc 617.357-5777 ext 203
For information related to the Ad sales and Syndication Contact: Sewee Entertainment - Tim Voit - 843-224-3444
