Gospel Music Legends The Blind Boys Of Alabama Sign To Sony Masterworks Worldwide

NEW YORK, May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blind Boys Of Alabama have signed a worldwide deal with Sony Masterworks, and the label will release the band's next album this Fall. Produced by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, the release will feature an array of unexpected special guests to be announced soon.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130517/NY15166 )

The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. Celebrated by The National Endowment for the Arts and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of five Grammy® Awards, they have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 60 years.

The Blind Boys are known for crossing multiple musical boundaries with their remarkable interpretations of everything from traditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material by songwriters such as Ben Harper, Eric Clapton, Prince and Tom Waits. They have appeared on recordings with Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, k.d. lang, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Susan Tedeschi, Solomon Burke, Aaron Neville, Ben Harper and many others.

"We are honored to welcome The Blind Boys of Alabama to the Sony Masterworks roster and can't wait to start adding to one of the most impressive discographies in any genre of music. Even in such company, the project with Justin Vernon will stand out as something very special. Listeners will be blown away by this collaboration," says Bogdan Roscic, President of Sony Masterworks.

"We are thrilled to be on our new label, and we have a real surprise on the way with this new album. I think it's the coolest thing we've ever done," enthused octogenarian Jimmy Carter, the last original member still touring with The Blind Boys.

The Blind Boys of Alabama have made appearances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, The Grammy® Awards, 60 Minutes, and their own holiday special on PBS.

The Blind Boys of Alabama are currently on tour.  For more information go to www.blindboys.com.

Sony Masterworks comprises Masterworks Broadway, Masterworks, OKeh, Portrait, RCA Red Seal and Sony Classical imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.SonyMasterworks.com.

SOURCE Sony Masterworks