Urban League Honors Legendary Singer/Songwriter Teddy Pendergrass With the Prestigious 'Harmony Award' at the Song of Equality Gala on June 17th in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (Urban League of Philadelphia/ www.urbanleaguephila.org) - The Urban League of Philadelphia announces its 4th Annual Song of Equality Gala paying tribute to one of America's most prominent songwriters who has used music as a vehicle to heal social ills, to promote unity and to economically empower individuals within the African-American community. Join us on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 8:30pm at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 South Broad Street, as we honor this year's Harmony Award recipient: legendary singer/songwriter Teddy Pendergrass. Oscar and Grammy Award-winner Peabo Bryson will perform. Concert tickets are $36 each and will go on sale at the Kimmel Center's Box Office (215.893.1999 or https://www.kimmelcenter.org) on May 15th!

As the first African-American male solo singer in history to record five consecutive multi-platinum albums, Teddy Pendergrass is a living musical legend whose music spans over three decades. His stellar career began with Philadelphia International Records as a part of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, which brought us such hits as "Wake Up Everybody" and the Grammy- nominated song "If You Don't Know Me By Now." In 1976, Teddy embarked on his solo career producing a string of hit albums including "TP" and "Life Is A Song Worth Singing." In 1982, a car accident left Teddy paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. From 1983 - 1998, he recorded six albums; performed at Live Aid; published an autobiography entitled Truly Blessed; and participated in the legendary gospel musical Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With God. He has made numerous appearances on television and award shows.
Since 2001, Teddy has made selected concert appearances performing to sold-out arenas throughout the country. Teddy is an outspoken advocate for the disabled. In 1998, he founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance (TPA), a national (501c3) non-profit organization that helps individuals with spinal cord injuries rebuild their lives. TPA acts as a conduit, making the resources of government, universities and private industry more readily available to people with spinal cord injuries who seek education, training and employment. We are proud to honor Teddy Pendergrass as a Philadelphia native who has used music as a vehicle to promote unity and to economically empower individuals.

Oscar Award and Grammy Award-winning singer Peabo Bryson has earned unprecedented international success with almost twenty albums to his credit. He is widely known for recording many hit songs including duets "A Whole New World (Disney/Aladdin's Theme)" with Regina Bell, "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" with Roberta Flack, "By The Time This Night Is Over" with saxophonist Kenny G and "Beauty and the Beast (Disney)" with Celine Dion. As an actor, Peabo appeared in the lead role for the touring production of the Tony Award- winning play "Raisin" and in the Michigan Opera Theater's production of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." With over twenty-five years of music behind him, he continues to give electrifying performances throughout the world.
Independence Blue Cross presents the Song of Equality Gala. Visit the Urban League of Philadelphia at https://www.urbanleaguephila.org.