Yolanda Adams to Co-Host the “American Music Inaugural Ball”

She adds: “Barack’s campaign proved it can be done in America and worldwide. So why not a ball that represents this, or rather two balls that collectively show how American Music can unify us? Let’s ‘rock with Barack’ in the Nation’s Capital!”

“I was extremely honored to learn that President-Elect Obama was a fan of mine,” says Ludacris. “I am certainly a big fan of his. That’s why it is such a great privilege to chair the ‘Urban Ball’. We have done our part to elect a great leader; now we are coming together to celebrate his accomplishment and to ring in the new era and share the hope he has inspired in us. It is a beautiful thing to be a part of a history. Look at what happens when people come together and focus on our possibilities rather than our differences.”

Co-hosted by gospel star Yolanda Adams the “Legends Ball” will feature performances by Rodney Atkins, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Marvin Sapp, The Temptations (Dennis Edwards), Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Kirk Franklin, the H.B. Barnum Orchestra, The Caravans and Smokie Norful. The dress code is formal: tuxedos, ball gowns and “all of your finery.”

AMIB presenters for the evening include such celebs and sports figures as: Isaiah Washington, former NBA stars Jalen Rose, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Reggie Miller, Tracey and Alonzo Mourning and current Washington Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor who recently appeared on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Other special events will include an invitation-only Black Tie Dinner honoring American Heroes on Monday, January 19. On January 20, there will be a Continental Breakfast from 7:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m., a widescreen television viewing of President Elect Obama’s Swearing In Ceremony from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST, a brunch from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and widescreen television viewing of the Inaugural Parade. Both the Legends Ball and the Urban Ball have receptions scheduled in their respective foyers at 6:00 p.m.