The singer of the cult classic “It’s Raining Men” will headline this year’s PrideFest entertainment on Saturday June 2 at Centennial Park.
Martha Wash, who began her musical career in the late 70's as one half of the disco group Two Tons of Fun, became part of the Weather Girls in the early 80s and scored a Grammy nomination for “It’s Raining Men.” In 1993, Wash came out with her first solo, self-titled project. The CD, "Martha Wash", produced three number one dance singles - “Carry On", "Give It To You", and "Runaround". In 1997 Wash teamed up with Jocelyn Brown and had more hit singles including "Keep On Jumping" and "Something's Going On". In 2004 Wash began her own record company, Purple Rose Records, and watched her first single released, "You Lift Me Up" move into the top five on Billboard Magazine's Club Play Chart.
The announcement comes today after weeks of negotiations, explained Nashville Pride Inc., President Todd Grantham.
“We actually have been working on signing her to headline Pride for several weeks,” Grantham said. “We were not sure it was even going to happen due to her busy tour schedule and it has come down to the wire, but we are thrilled that she is going to be performing for us.”
Wash will also be present at the annual pre-pride party (P3) held in Centennial Park on Friday June 1. Tickets to that event are $25, which includes food and drink, along with the special meet and greet for Wash. Tickets can be purchased at the Nashville Pride Website at www.nashvillepride.org.
“So if you want the opportunity to get up close and personal with her, you need to get your tickets to P3 today,” Grantham said.
Grantham said Wash’s appearance at the 19th annual PrideFest event was in part due to the efforts of John Reynolds, the general manager at the Radisson Hotel Nashville Airport.
“The Nashville Pride board would especially like to thank John Reynolds of the Radisson Hotel Nashville Airport who was instrumental in making this happen,” he adds. “I hope that everyone who attends PrideFest will also give him a personal thank-you.”
Reynolds said that he was excited to help bring Wash to Nashville, and was proud that his company could participate as a corporate sponsor.
“I became aware of Nashville Pride after moving to Nashville several years ago,” Reynolds said. “It has been exciting to watch it grow into the stellar event that it is today. I am pleased that my company can be a part of this spectacular annual event and I was happy to do what I could to bring Ms.Wash to PrideFest.”
