Award winning gospel and worship artist Martha Munizzi will host the 2008 GRAMMY® Salute To Gospel Music in Washington, D.C. on June 18th. GRAMMY®-winning artists Edwin and Walter Hawkins, five-time GRAMMY® winner Sandi Patty, and five-time GRAMMY®-winning group, The Winans will be recipients of the President’s Merit Award at the 2008 GRAMMY® Salute To Gospel Music® event in Washington, D.C., it was announced this week by The Recording Academy®.

In continuing with its tradition of honoring artistic excellence, The Recording Academy will spotlight the genre by celebrating members of the gospel community during the event, which will be held on Wednesday, June 18th at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. The event will include performances from gospel, contemporary Christian and contemporary artists under the music direction of GRAMMY®-winning producer Donald Lawrence.

Munizzi, who is also getting ready to launch her 2008 “Change The World” tour, was a 2006 GRAMMY® nominee recipient for Best Traditional Gospel Album and has also served on the Florida GRAMMY® Board of Governors for the past two years. Martha says, “I am honoured to be a part of the 2008 GRAMMY Salute To Gospel Music® and excited that the GRAMMY® Academy is honouring these living legends of Gospel Music!”

The GRAMMY® Salute To Gospel Music event began in 2004 during GRAMMY® Week to honour those who have made significant contributions to gospel music, while supporting the history and cultural impact of the genre. The President’s Merit Award recognizes the contributions that key individuals have made in the music industry and the impact their efforts have had on music and the business of music. The award is an opportunity for The Recording Academy to acknowledge and honour the contributions of these outstanding individuals. Past honourees include Shirley Caesar, Andraé Crouch, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Bill Hearn, Billy Ray Hearn, Richard Smallwood, Albertina Walker, the Clark Sisters, Dr. Bobby Jones and Michael W. Smith.

For more information about The Recording Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

Munizzi’s latest CD/DVD release, Change Your World, was released to Canadian Christian retail on April 15th. For more information about Martha Munizzi, please visit her YMZ artist page.