Dionne Warwick: Ready To Have A Ball During Inauguration

Dionne Warwick is ready to go ball dancing.

Well, at least she will try to – after helping organize what may be one of the biggest events of its type during the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 20.

In an interview with BlackVoices.com this week, the five-time Grammy Award winning music legends quipped that she was "silently going crazy." But not in the literal sense – excitement is building because for the first time in her near 50-year career, she has taken on a brand new role; as the chair and host of 'The American Music Inaugural Ball,' taking place at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. on the night America swears in its very first black President.

"Watching [Obama], once he won the election and giving his speech to those wonderful faces that I looked at in Chicago and noticing the amount of youth, first of all, and the eclectic collection of races, colors, creeds and religions I'm sure, it dawned on me that these people should have access to this inauguration," Warwick explained about her inspiration to take on the new tasks. "I mean they're the ones that put him into office."

With upwards to 6,000 guests expected to be in attendance, the event is anticipated to be the biggest and most diverse ball of all balls in the nation's capitol.

"And little did I know the amount of work – oh my heavens, I can not tell you – I applaud the team that [event producer Guy Draper] put together down there in Washington," she noted. "They are doing a Trojan's job. I swear. But it is and has been well worth it. I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the way things are going along. And we certainly just hope that with all of the security and everything else that's going on, people are able to get to these balls."

Warwick's ball, in particular, is titled "Legends Ball" and will feature performances by Rodney Atkins, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Marvin Sapp, The Temptations with Dennis Edwards, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Kirk Franklin, the H.B. Barnum Orchestra, The Caravans and Smokie Norful. Gospel powerhouse Yolanda Adams has been tapped to co-host the event.

So outside of the amazing line-up of some of the biggest names in black music, what else makes this ball special from all the many others going on that night?

"Well, I think first of all, it's affordable," Warwick replied. "That's the first thing. And we're doing two balls; we're doing one that the youth will certainly enjoy hosted by Ludacris and Big Boi," she continued.

"We have such a variety of music that will be going on. We have gospel, we have R&B, we have pop, we have rap, we have hip hop. You name it, we've got it. And it's going to be the place to be."

Considered one of the world's greatest divas, the 'Walk On By' chanteuse is no stranger to the political arena. As former Ambassador of Health for United States during the Ronald Reagan Administration, she served as a roving reporter for 'Entertainment Tonight' during President Clinton's inauguration. She said she has also performed at The White House on quite a few occasions.

For the "Legends Ball," she promises "it's going to be chock full of those wonderful, wonderful performers.

"Were going to have a lot of fun,' she added. "It's going to be something for everybody."

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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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