Etheridge to give
commencement speech at Berklee

Lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge will be presented with an honorary doctor of music degree and give the commencement speech at Boston's Berklee College of Music during the school's May 13 graduation ceremony. As commencement speaker, Etheridge will address more than 800 graduates and invited guests at the 4,000-seat Matthew Arena.

Queen of soul Aretha Franklin, saxophonist Andy McGhee, and Grammy-winning producer and engineer Elliot Scheiner will also be given degrees. Past recipients include Patti LaBelle, Nancy Wilson, David Bowie, Chaka Khan, and Bonnie Raitt. (The Advocate)