BET's 2002 Walk of Fame Features Night of Unforgettable Superstar Salutes to the Incomparable Stevie Wonder

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- In front of a standing-room only crowd
 filled with Washington, D.C.'s political and business elite, film, television
 and music stars, and the honoree himself, BET staged a superlative production
 to honor the legendary Stevie Wonder during its exclusive 8TH ANNUAL WALK OF
 FAME induction on Saturday, October 19.  Befitting his distinguished and
 accomplished career spanning over four decades, the event featured stirring
 tributes and performances by some of today's hottest and most talented artists
 from the worlds of pop, gospel, R&B, jazz and hip hop.  Joining in the
 celebration were Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey, Ja Rule, India.Arie, Jill Scott,
 Justin Timberlake, Gerald Levert, Fred Hammond, Kelly Price, Dru Hill, Gerald
 Albright, Musiq, Chante Moore, K-Ci and JoJo, Roy Hargrove and a special video
 tribute by Elton John.  Actor, producer and singer Jamie Foxx hosted the
 extraordinary event, which was also attended by film star Wesley Snipes, actor
 Leon, soap opera star Lamman Rucker and Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis
 Farrakhan.  For the eighth year, proceeds were donated to the United Negro
 College Fund (UNCF).  BET viewers will have a front row seat to catch each
 unforgettable moment when the gala event is televised on Tuesday, October 29
 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
     Musical performances from Stevie Wonder's hallmark collection, arranged by
 WALK OF FAME musical director Patrice Rushen, included renditions of "You and
 I," from Mariah Carey; "Living For The City," by Dru Hill; and the soul-
 stirring "Heaven Help Us All" featuring rocker Eric Clapton with gospel greats
 Fred Hammond and Kim Burrell.  The Philly musical community was well-
 represented by Musiq and Jill Scott, who visibly moved the audience with their
 performances of "Superstition," and "Ribbon In The Sky," respectively, while
 India.Arie gave a soulful rendition of "Overjoyed," and Gerald Levert belted
 out "All I Do."  Ja Rule, Chante Moore, Gerald Albright and Roy Hargrove
 provided a special high point during the evening's festivities with a spirited
 collaboration to the Stevie Wonder classic "Do I Do," while Stevie himself
 capped the evening with a surprise performance from his upcoming Motown
 release scheduled for next year.  BET again teamed with Cossette Productions,
 famed producers of the music world's Grammy Awards, to produce the telecast.
     The WALK OF FAME galas have generated over two million dollars since their
 inception in 1995, with this year's event alone generating in excess of
 $400,000.  Debra L. Lee, BET president and chief operating officer, emphasized
 the event's importance and why Stevie Wonder was chosen as this year's
 honoree.
     "Because of the top-notch star power of this event, BET has been able to
 make significant contributions to UNCF year after year," said Lee.  "Stevie
 Wonder was an excellent choice as our eighth WALK OF FAME recipient, not only
 for his recognition as a musical genius, but also for the inspiration that he
 has given so many people across generations.  BET is honored to recognize such
 an amazing living legend and humanitarian."
     Stevie Wonder has joined an illustrious group of past WALK OF FAME
 honorees, including Michael Jackson (1995), Whitney Houston (1996), Kenneth
 "Babyface" Edmonds (1997), Boyz II Men (1998), Diana Ross (1999), Luther
 Vandross (2000) and Patti LaBelle (2001).
     Stevie Wonder is a world-renowned artist, composer, producer and musician
 who has won an incredible 21 Grammy Awards; been awarded the Grammy Lifetime
 Achievement Award; and has received an amazing 62 Grammy nominations.  For
 over four incredible decades, Stevie has been enriching lives through his
 music, illustrating exceptional humanitarian leadership, philanthropic deeds
 and extraordinary human nature.  He is well respected for his superior talent,
 his compassion for humanity, and his ability to challenge inequality.
 
     ABOUT BET
     BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, is the nation's leading television network
 providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming
 for the African-American audience.  The BET Network reaches more than 74
 million households according to Nielsen media research.  BET is a dominant
 consumer brand in the urban marketplace with a diverse group of branded
 businesses:  BET.com, the Number 1 internet portal for African Americans; BET
 Digital Networks - BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip-Hop, a new alternative for
 cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Uptown, BET's urban satellite radio
 channel on the XM Satellite Radio service; BET Event Productions, specializing
 in a full range of event production services, including event management,
 venue selection, talent recruitment, sound, lighting and stage production; and
 BET Books, the nation's leading publisher of African American-themed romance
 novels under the Arabesque Books label.
 
     ABOUT COSSETTE PRODUCTIONS
     Cossette Productions is Hollywood's most unique and comprehensive
 production company, with more than 35 years of experience offering diverse and
 creative consultation, direction and execution of entertainment production.
 To its credit, Cossette Productions has produced 31 years of the Grammy Awards
 telecast; eight weekly television series totaling more than 500 episodes;
 numerous award-winning Broadway theatrical plays and musicals; 50 major
 performance specials, award shows and celebrity tributes; corporate events for
 the nation's largest companies; and countless made-for-television motion
 pictures and mini-series.
 
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SOURCE  BET (Black Entertainment Television)