Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) - The Newport Folk Festival says gospel singer Mavis Staples will perform in this year's line-up.
Staples is the first act to be announced for the 2014 festival, which will be held from July 25 to July 27. The festival says special guests will honor her birthday and "75 Years of Mavis" throughout the weekend.
Founder George Wein (WEEN') says Monday it's a joy to honor Staples. He says her family's band, The Staple Singers, was one of the first gospel groups to play at Newport and that they have appeared at both the folk and jazz festivals over the years.
The festival was first held in 1959 and has featured influential musicians like Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash.
Other musical acts will be announced later.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
