Aretha Franklin

“There are singers,” said Ray Charles, “then there is Aretha. She towers above the rest. Others are good, but Aretha is great. She’s my only sure-enough sister.”

Ten years later, when Rolling Stone magazine named the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time, Aretha placed first. Mary J. Blige explained the victory by writing, “You know a force from heaven. You know something that God made. And Aretha is a gift from God. When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her. She is the reason why women want to sing.”

Since the moment Aretha stepped to the pulpit at her father’s famed New Bethel Baptist Church as a young girl singing in the great gospel tradition, the world has recognized her as a musical miracle. Her childhood friend Smokey Robinson said, “Our neighborhood was filled with kids who had musical talent. We could pick out melodies on the piano and sing along. But Aretha, at age six or seven, played whole chords on the piano. Complex gospel chords. At six or seven, she didn’t sing. She soared. She was the prodigy of prodigies.”

It wouldn’t be The Swan Ball unless Pat Patrick was “in the house”. Much beloved, and oft heard, on the Nashville Party Circuit, Pat will be charming The Swan Ball 2012 guests during the cocktail hour. An accomplished pianist, vocalist and bandleader, no soiree is a success without Pat Patrick.

Craig Duncan String Quintet

Craig Duncan, of Nashville, has been the featured instrumentalist on over sixty record albums. He is a member of the North American Fiddler’s Hall of Fame and is recognized internationally. His musical groups have performed for a wide array of clients…The Swan Ball 2012 is honored to have Craig’s quintet perform during our dinner hour.

Accomplished Nashville songwriter Will Robinson has turned his talents to Cheekwood and written music and lyrics for two original songs for The Swan Ball 2012. His first,  “The Single Greatest Party” was debuted at The Swan Ball 2012 Launch in September 2011. Will follows up tonight with “There’s No Better Ball”, performed live by Perry Danos.

Nashville resident Perry Danos’ voice blends the smoothness of Tony Bennett with a bit of the heart-on-sleeve grit of Rod Stewart. With the first note, he’s captured his audience, dazzling them with his enchanting style, charming smile, and natural wit. Perry’s old-school artistry and musicianship make older audiences swoon, while his sophisticated energy engages the sensibility of younger listeners.

Right On Band is the “World’s Greatest 70’s Show Band”

Right On Band is an authentic ten-piece show band that has performed all over the world including Ethiopia, Italy, Canada, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. Right On Band has had the honor of performing for two United States Presidents and the US Congress at the White House as well as other dignitaries and heads of state around the world.  Dancing til 3 a.m. will be Right On this year!