Tenor Anthony Kearns to Perform at 137th Preakness during Special Military Tribute on May 19, 2012

BALTIMORE, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- World-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns will be the featured performer during a special military tribute at Pimlico Race Course that will be televised live on NBC Sports next Saturday. Kearns will sing "God Bless America" at approximately 2:45 p.m. E.T. During his performance, the Northrup Grumman B-2 Spirit (also known as a stealth bomber) will make a flyover. There will be a demonstration by the 82nd Airborne Division's All American Freefall Team (U.S. Army) a few minutes prior to the performance.

"I'm delighted to sing at this year's historic Preakness, the second jewel in the famed Triple Crown of racing in the United States," said Kearns. Kearns, the original founding member of The Irish Tenors, noted that Ireland shares a rich history with the American horse industry.

Mr. Kearns said his appearance at the Preakness Stakes combines two of his great passions: music and horses. "I have a great fondness for horses which goes back to my childhood. Adding to this, I am honored to perform during the special military tribute," he said. "This truly will be a special moment for me."

Kearns hails from County Wexford, Ireland – home of famed Irish horse trainer Aidan O'Brien – and many great horse breeders, trainers and jockeys. That's where he "gained an appreciation of horses and the horse industry," he said.

Kearns said he is pleased that five of the six top horses from the Kentucky Derby will be running on the Pimlico race track.

When he is not singing in some of the world's most prestigious venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Madison Square Garden, Mr. Kearns frequently performs at military and other charitable benefits, including the USO and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Most recently he sang at an awards ceremony hosted by ThanksUSA honoring Gov. Bob McDonnell (VA) and Gov. Martin O'Malley (MD) for their efforts on behalf of veterans and military families, and for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In July of last year, Kearns sang at a "A Night at the Pavilion: A Tribute to Kentucky's Horses" – a special benefit in Lexington, KY for the nonprofit Equine Health and Welfare Alliance (EHWA) with special guests, Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear. He also sang "Amazing Grace" at the 2010 Moment of Remembrance during the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. and headlined a special chorale tribute to military families at the John. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Mr. Kearns took the American television audience by storm in 1999 as the youngest member of the wildly popular musical group, The Irish Tenors – one of PBS' most successful acts to date. American critics hailed Kearns as perhaps the most likely of the three (Irish Tenors) to "achieve the level of tenor super stardom now enjoyed by Pavarotti and a handful of other singers." 

Acknowledged as Ireland's Finest Tenor at the Dublin National Concert Hall's Silver Jubilee in 2006, Kearns is a respected ambassador of Ireland to the world and has presented the music of his homeland across the globe. As a soloist, Kearns' performances draw from a wide variety of opera, folk music, and international favorites. Mr. Kearns frequently performs at charity concerts, on television, and with the finest symphony orchestras and opera houses in Europe and America. Kearns has 11 CDs to his credit and is a member of The Recording Academy ("The GRAMMYs"). www.anthonykearnsmusic.com

Mr. Kearns appearance at the 137th Preakness Stakes was arranged by Kirsten Fedewa & Associates, L.L.C. (CONTACT: 202.365.6936 or [email protected])

SOURCE Kirsten Fedewa & Associates LLC; Maryland Jockey Club