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Smokestack Lightnin' Home Page -- The Blues Profile Page
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She has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 7 American Video Awards and 18 MTV Awards. At the center of Cyndi’s life is music. On June 22nd, she releases her 11th studio album entitled Memphis Blues. With this collection of blues cover songs, she is once again reinventing herself by putting her unique twist on one of music’s most beloved genres. The feel of Memphis Blues is gritty and full of life. Recorded this March at Electraphonic Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, the album features appearances by such great artists as B.B. King, Jonny Lang, Allen Toussaint, Ann Peebles and Charlie Musselwhite. “This is the album I’ve wanted to make for years,” says Lauper. “All of these beautiful songs, and all of the great players on the album, were carefully chosen because I’ve admired them my entire life. And I knew from the moment Alan Toussaint hit the keys in ‘Shattered Dreams’ that we were creating something really special.” An Emmy Award winner for her guest starring role as Marianne Lugasso on “Mad About You”, Cyndi continues to show her range as an actress and personality on television, in film and on stage. Currently, she is appearing in the recurring role of bewitching psychic Avalon Harmonia on the FOX hit “Bones” and just finished competing on the recent edition of the NBC hit “Celebrity Apprentice.”
The B-52s, the Indigo Girls, Deborah Harry and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts for shows that successfully merge great music and public awareness about the issues facing the LGBT community. To further her role as an activist, Cyndi founded the True Colors Fund in 2008. The non-profit seeks to inspire and engage everyone, particularly the straight community, to become involved in the advancement of LGBT equality. The Fund recently launched the Give a Damn Campaign, an extensive and innovative online public education and awareness initiative. In addition, Cyndi is the Honorary Chairperson of the True Colors Residence, the first project of its kind to provide a permanent, supportive and secure home to formerly homeless LGBT youth in New York City. In appreciation for her work, Cyndi has been honored by many organizations including the Human Rights Campaign, GLSEN and PFLAG. “It’s an honor to always have the genuine affection of the gay community,” Cyndi says. “They have never turned their back on me. I will never turn my back on them. We’ve had a long and enduring love affair.” Cyndi is also a tireless participant in the struggle to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Most recently, Cyndi has joined with Lady Gaga to be the spokespeople for the 2010 MAC Viva Glam Campaign and to educate woman about HIV/AIDS around the world. She also continues to participate in efforts and events for organizations like AMFAR, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in order to speak out about the need for education and greater resources to fight this disease.
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