Alabama Shakes To Perform Free Concert On The U.S.S. INTREPID For Service Members And Their Supporters During Fleet Week New York

NEW YORK, April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum has partnered with the USO of Metropolitan New York to celebrate Fleet Week and our service members visiting New York. The festivities will begin on Wednesday, May 24, with the Sailor Jerry and USO Welcome Party featuring a special performance by the three-time Grammy-winning Alabama Shakes aboard the iconic U.S.S. INTREPID, a WWII-era aircraft carrier, which today serves as New York's Sea, Air & Space Museum. Complimentary tickets will be available to sailors and their supporters prior to the kick-off of Fleet Week. Ticketing information will be announced in early May. 

The main event of the Sailor Jerry and USO Welcome Party will feature the bluesy rock stylings of Alabama Shakes, the award-winning band known for their distinctive and soulful roots.  Hailing from Athens, Alabama, their cross-genre sound mixes rock, soul, punk and funk. Their unique musical sound is a true embodiment of how Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins lived life – full of passion and outside the lines.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum to perform for our military during the great American tradition of Fleet Week New York," shared Alabama Shakes lead singer and guitarist, Brittany Howard.

In addition to what is expected to be an amazing performance by Alabama Shakes, our service members will enjoy BBQ-style fare and an array of other activities to kick-off this great American tradition.

The USO of Metropolitan New York and Fleet Week New York partnership is a special passion point for Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, created to honor the late Norman Collins. Collins was born on January 14^th, 1911, and quickly found his aptitude for tattooing while traveling the country, hopping freight trains with a man named "Big Mike" who taught him the hand-pricking method. At 19, Collins joined the U.S. Navy where he was exposed to the art and culture of Southeast Asia. Following his naval service, Collins made WWII-era Honolulu his home and continued honing his skills as a tattoo artist. Sailors on Shore Leave in Honolulu would wait in line for hours outside Collins' Hotel Street tattoo shop to be inked by the master himself.  Not one to rest idly, Collins also became a licensed skipper of a large three-masted schooner, played the saxophone in his own band, and frequently hosted a radio show.  These personal passions are now celebrated through Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and shared with likeminded individuals.

"We are so proud to continue our support of and partnership with Fleet Week New York to celebrate the servicemen and women, and to honor the legacy of Norman 'Sailor Jerry' Collins, who spent his post-service life inking sailors out of his shop in Honolulu," shared Josh Hayes, Senior Brand Manager of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum. "We challenged ourselves to elevate last year's successful program. Together with Alabama Shakes, and our new partnership with the USO of Metropolitan New York, we are excited to welcome members of our sea services for an amazing Fleet Week New York 2017."

For over 75 years, the USO has been the nation's leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform. From the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO is always by their side.

"We are excited to welcome Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum as a partner to the USO of Metropolitan New York," said Cathy de Silva, Chief Development Officer. "Fleet Week New York is a time-honored celebration of Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen and a great way to kick-off this exciting partnership. We look forward to many more events and programs with Sailor Jerry to be able to express our gratitude and appreciation for the service and sacrifice made by our service men and women."

Fleet Week New York will be celebrating its29^th anniversary this year. This is an unparalleled opportunity for the residents and visitors of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet the military members who serve our country.

"With the Sailor Jerry Welcome Party, Alabama Shakes, and our involvement with USO of Metropolitan New York, Fleet Week New York 2017 is going to be a terrific week for visitors and locals alike," added Hayes.

To learn more about Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum's Fleet Week activities and for a calendar of events, log onto www.sailorjerry.com.

About William Grant & Sons
William Grant & Sons Holdings Ltd is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world's most awarded single malt Glenfiddich^®, The Balvenie^® range of handcrafted single malts and the world's third largest blended Scotch, Grant's^®, as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick's^® Gin, Sailor Jerry^® Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W.^® Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder^® Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Drambuie^® Scotch Liqueur.

William Grant & Sons has been honored as "Distiller of the Year" by the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition and International Spirits Challenge 11 times over the past 16 years.

Founded in 1964, William Grant & Sons USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, Ltd. and features one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios in the USA with brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick's Gin, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Drambuie, Milagro Tequila, Grant's, Hudson Whiskey, Gibson's Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Flor de Caña Rum, Art In The Age, The Knot and Raynal French Brandy. For more information on the company and its brands, please visit www.grantusa.com.

SOURCE Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

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