Legendary singer of soul, Gospel, R&B, and pop Gladys Knight was honored yesterday December 4th, as apart of the 45th Honorees of “The Kennedy Center Honors.”
Along with acclaimed actor and filmmaker George Clooney; contemporary Christian and pop singer/songwriter Amy Grant; Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator Tania León; and iconic Irish rock band U2, comprised of band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. The event will be televised Wednesday, December 28th on CBS.
Cineflix Productions, recently announced a partnership with the seven-time Grammy Award-winner, actress, producer, and humanitarian, and her Empress of Soul Productions to develop a returnable premium scripted mini-series based on the artist’s illustrious life and career.
Gladys starred in and produced the Great American Family film “I’m Glad it’s Christmas,” last month.
“At the age of 78, most people in my industry have retired, but I’m just getting started. All my life I’ve been able to sing my stories. I can now use this opportunity to show the meaning behind the words. Our partnership with Cineflix, sharing my life story, will allow me to leave a legacy of hard work and dedication. That alone is greater than any award I could ever receive. It’s important to leave large footprints that go in the right direction. That’s why Empress of Soul Productions was founded.”
Unmatched in her artistry, she has earned #1 hits in Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary, and she has also triumphed in film and television.
Georgia-born, Gladys Knight began singing gospel at the age of four and eventually formed the legendary group Gladys Knight & The Pips with her brother Bubba, sister Brenda, and two cousins. The group’s first album debuted in 1960 with Gladys, at just 16, singing lead.
With the Pips singing lush harmonies and providing graceful choreography, the group achieved musical icon status. Hits like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “If I Were Your Woman” along with Top 10 singles like “Neither One of Us (Wants to be the First to Say Goodbye),” “Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me,” and the #1 smash hit “Midnight Train to Georgia” established the group as the premiere Pop/R&B vocal ensemble in the world. Gladys Knight enjoyed another #1 hit in 1985 teaming with Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Dionne Warwick on “That’s What Friends are For.”
With more than 38 albums recorded in her storied career, she has earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame and the BET Awards along with a Legend Award from the Soul Train Awards.
Executive producers will include Gladys Knight, William McDowell, Joyce Miller Roy, William Bickley, Carl Buehl, Brian Bird, and Camille Tucker for Empress of Soul Productions as well as J.C. Mills, Sherri Rufh, and Jeff Vanderwal for Cineflix Productions.
