Aaron Neville, Sunday's Concert of Colors headliner, may have a nearly five-decade career marked by the landmark hit "Tell It Like It Is" and a long association with his siblings in the Neville Brothers.

But don't think this guy, one of New Orleans' musical icons, is only old school.

"I'm Twittering now," says Neville, 68, who was introduced to the social network by his fiance. "I just started it, but it's kind of fun. It give's people a little insight into what I'm doing everyday and I can check on what other people are doing."

Neville, who splits his time between his native New Orleans and New York, has things to talk about, too. He contributed a version of Sam Cooke's civil rights anthem "A Change is Gonna Come" to the "Oh Happy Day" gospel collection earlier this year. And he's working on a new album with fellow New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, who recorded Neville's first solo album in 1960.

"We're hoping to have it out for 2010, my 50th anniversary year," says Neville, who expresses surprise at his longevity. "I never gave it a thought. I just take it a day at a time and pray. I'm still here, still going strong, so it feels good. I think about how many of my friends are by the wayside and I'm...grateful."



Aaron Neville performs at 6 p.m. Sunday (July 19)

at he 17th Annual Concert of Colors takes place at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Admission is free. (313) 576-5111 or visit www.concertofcolors.com for schedules and other information.