The gala, which will support the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy’s arts advocacy programs, also plans to honor husband-and-wife songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson, Grammy Award- winning violinist Joshua Bell, Grammy Award- winning artist Melissa Etheridge, and R&B singer/songwriter Trey Songz. The evening will feature additional appearances and performances by Grammy Award winners Michael Bolton, Kristian Bush, and David Caddick; Grammy Award nominee Joan Osborne; American Idol Music Director Ray Chew; singer-songwriters Peter Cincotti and Frankie Moreno; Island Def Jam Music Group President Steve Bartels; IMG Founder Charles Hamlen; and entertainment and media entrepreneur Kevin Liles.