Tuesday, March 3, 2009

HarperCollins Inks Deal With No. 1 Bestselling Rock Band Bon Jovi

NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- HarperCollins Publishers today announced a deal to publish the first ever official Bon Jovi book, Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful. Celebrating the band's 25th anniversary, the book contains never-before-seen photographs and exclusive text from the band and will be published next October by the Collins Design imprint. Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful will also serve as a companion to a major documentary about the band being released at the same time.

The story of Bon Jovi's career -- spanning three decades, countless hits, sold-out stadiums -- reads like a timeline of popular culture and has earned them legendary status. But for all their acclaim, fans have been offered very few up-close-and-personal glimpses of the band members. To commemorate their 25th anniversary, the band gave filmmaker and photographer Phil Griffin unprecedented access to their lives, onstage and off, during 2008. The Lost Highway tour became the #1 tour in the world last year, according to Billboard Magazine. This insider portrait of one of the world's best-loved rock bands is the subject of a major documentary and this extraordinary book is a must-have for all Bon Jovi fans.

The public face of Bon Jovi -- band of brothers, hitmakers, rock stars -- is well known, but in Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful, gorgeous, exclusive photographs and revealing text from Jon, Richie, David and Tico themselves tell the behind-the-scenes story. From intimate moments to basking in the limelight, the book offers fans an honest, unposed and unscripted portrait of this legendary band at work and at home.

"We are honored to be collaborating with one of the most successful bands in Rock history," said Marta Schooler, Publisher of Collins Design. "Bon Jovi's continuing success has been no less than remarkable and we are thrilled to be publishing the must-have book for all their fans."

The book offers unprecedented insights into the members' lives on stage, on the road, and at home, as well as intimate reflections on the highs and lows of their 25 years together. Bon Jovi is responsible for some of popular music's biggest anthems over the last twenty-five years. Since Bon Jovi's eponymous album release in 1984, their songs have propelled their albums and tours to stratospheric success with precision consistency. From rock songs ("You Give Love A Bad Name," "Living On A Prayer," "It's My Life," "Who Says You Can't Go Home,") to ballads ("Bed of Roses," "I'll Be There For You," "Always,"), to outlaw-themed anthems ("Wanted Dead or Alive," "Blaze of Glory"), their arsenal of All-American songs have repeatedly found a reception on a global stage. Bon Jovi has sold over 120 million records worldwide and charted seven #1 singles and countless Top Ten hits.

About HarperCollins Publishers

HarperCollins, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world, is a subsidiary of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing groups around the world including the HarperCollins General Books Group, HarperCollins Children's Books Group, Zondervan, HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins Canada, HarperCollins Australia/New Zealand and HarperCollins India. HarperCollins is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, business books, children's books, cookbooks, mystery, romance, reference, religious and spiritual books. With nearly 200 years of history HarperCollins has published some of the world's foremost authors and has won numerous awards including the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, the Newbery Medal and the Caldecott. Consistently at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement HarperCollins is the first publisher to digitize its content and create a global digital warehouse to protect the rights of its authors, meet consumer demand and generate additional business opportunities. You can visit HarperCollins Publishers on the Internet at http://www.harpercollins.com.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

New Kids' CD Encourages Kids to Get Active and Stay Healthy

Minnesota Dance and Exercise Entrepreneur Releases 15 Original Songs Focused on Fitness and Fun

MINNETONKA, Minn., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Dancercise Kids(R), a provider of unique fitness and dance activities for young children, today announced that its founder, Tessa Pfeifer, has released her first compact disc, entitled "Dance It!," focused on bringing Dancercise(R) concepts into every home.

Packed with original songs that encourage kids to exercise and that advocate healthy habits, manners and other parent-approved topics, this CD release comes at a time when, according to the National Poll on Children's Health, childhood obesity is the number one concern of parents. "It's so important for kids to take every opportunity to exercise. I routinely see children with all sorts of conditions resulting from poor posture, poor diet and sedentary lifestyles," said Howard Fidler, DC, FICPA, FICC, of Minneapolis, founder of the American Chiropractic Association's Council on Pediatrics. "My own kids listen to Dancercise music all the time, and it's reassuring to find kids' music that really encourages them to get and stay active."

"I'm excited to get this music out to my fans, and to kids everywhere," says Tessa. "The songs will get any kid up and moving, and the CD includes lots of healthy themes and upbeat styles that keep it fun and interesting for kids and parents alike."

Tessa's music goes far beyond the rehashed nursery rhymes or often over-simplified genre of children's music and combines contemporary styles with thoughtful lyrics, presented in a way that is accessible to kids at a very young age. "As a kindergarten teacher, I welcome the educational elements of Tessa's music," said Julie Dahl, whose daughter, age four, has taken Dancercise classes for the last year. "And as a parent, I really love that this music is fun for grown-ups too!"

Dance It! is available now at http://www.cdbaby.com, at the Dancercise website http://www.dancercise.com and through online retailers including Apple's iTunes(R) store and Amazon.com. Tessa is performing live concerts throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area during the next few months, including the Mall Of America and Minnesota Children's Museum, and promoting her unique program that helps children build strong minds and happy hearts.

Tessa Pfeifer has been dancing, singing and performing since her early childhood. Having created Dancercise Kids as a successful dance and fitness program across multiple states, she is now concentrating on making the music, activities and lessons accessible to a wider audience through CDs, DVDs, Activity Books and select media partners, for consumption in every home. Find out more at http://www.dancercise.com/pressroom.

    Contacts:

    Kelly Plummer
    651-207-6242
    kellyp@newsworthycommunications.com

    Katie Welch-Peterson
    952-294-9814
    katiep@newsworthycommunications.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Sony Music Entertainment Announces the Release of Elvis Presley 'I Believe - The Gospel Masters' - Available March 10, 2009

DELUXE 4 CD SET CELEBRATES ELVIS' GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING COLLECTION OF GOSPEL AND INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC

Elvis Presley's 'Ultimate Gospel' collection was just certified GOLD by the RIAA.

NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- As with all of his types of music, Elvis Presley made his own version of gospel music, drawing from every element of his vast musical knowledge -- without any musical prejudice or racial barriers. For the first time ever, all of Elvis' gospel and inspirational master recordings will be offered together in one magnificent 4 disc collection -- "I Believe - The Gospel Masters."

"I Believe - The Gospel Masters" offers the most comprehensive overview of Elvis' non-secular performances and provides testament to his musical excellence and contribution to the popularization of religious music.

Discs 1 through 3 feature Elvis' entire non-secular studio master recordings in chronological order from his multi-Platinum selling albums "Peace In The Valley," "His Hand In Mine," "How Great Thou Art," and "He Touched Me." Bonus CD, Disc 4, includes additional gospel and inspirational recordings from Elvis' movies, the 68' Comeback TV special and other live performances. It also includes rare home recordings of 'Hide Thou Me,' 'Show Me Thy Ways, O Lord,' and 'Oh, How I Love Jesus.'

All of the discs have been re-mastered from the original tapes using the latest DSD technology for optimum sound quality.

Of the collection, Gordon Stoker, original member of The Jordinaires (Elvis' band) says, "I think I Believe is the perfect title for a collection of Elvis' religious music because, working with him almost 15 years, I know he believed every word in these songs. It was indeed an honour to know and work with him. We shall always treasure our memories."

Testament to the popularity and continued relevance of his gospel recordings, Elvis Presley's "Ultimate Gospel" collection, which was released in 2004, was just certified GOLD by the RIAA.

    TRACK LISTING:
    DISC 1
    1. I Believe
    2. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)
    3. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
    4. It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)
    5. Milky White Way
    6. His Hand In Mine
    7. I Believe In The Man In The Sky
    8. He Knows Just What I Need
    9. Mansion Over The Hilltop
    10. In My Father's House
    11. Joshua Fit The Battle
    12. Swing Down, Sweet Chariot
    13. I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs
    14. If We Never Meet Again
    15. Known Only To Him
    16. Crying In The Chapel
    17. Working On The Building

    DISC 2
    1. Run On
    2. How Great Thou Art
    3. Stand By Me
    4. Where No One Stands Alone
    5. So High
    6. Farther Along
    7. By And By
    8. In The Garden
    9. Somebody Bigger Than You And I
    10. Without Him
    11. If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side
    12. Where Could I Go But To The Lord
    13. You'll Never Walk Alone
    14. We Call On Him
    15. Who Am I?

    DISC 3
    1. I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago
    2. Life
    3. Only Believe
    4. Amazing Grace
    5. Lead Me, Guide Me
    6. He Touched Me
    7. I've Got Confidence
    8. An Evening Prayer
    9. Seeing Is Believing
    10. A Thing Called Love
    11. Put Your Hand In The Hand
    12. Reach Out To Jesus
    13. He Is My Everything
    14. There Is No God But God
    15. Bosom Of Abraham
    16. I, John
    17. I Got A Feelin' In My Body
    18. Help Me
    19. If That Isn't Love

    DISC 4
    1. Down By The Riverside/When The Saints Go Marchin' In (from Frankie And
       Johnny)
    2. Sing You Children (from Easy Come, Easy Go)
    3. Swing Down, Sweet Chariot (from The Trouble With Girls (and how to get
       in it))
    4. Let Us Pray (from Change of Habit)
    5. Gospel Medley: Where Could I Go But To The Lord/Up Above My Head/Saved
       (from the '68 Comeback Special)
    6. If I Can Dream (from the '68 Comeback Special)
    7. Why Me Lord (live)
    8. How Great Thou Art (live)
    9. Help Me (live)

    BONUS:

    10. I, John (from Elvis On Tour)
    11. Bosom Of Abraham (from Elvis On Tour)
    12. You Better Run (from Elvis On Tour)
    13. Lead Me, Guide Me (from Elvis On Tour)
    14. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus/Nearer My God To Thee (from Elvis On Tour)
    15. Oh, How I Love Jesus (home recording)
    16. Show Me Thy Ways, O Lord (home recording)
    17. Hide Thou Me (home recording)

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Monday, March 2, 2009

PickTheBand.com National Band Contest

Winning band will perform at the ASCAP "I Create Music" Expo in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- PickTheBand.com, the world's first fan-run record label has partnered with ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, to pick the best unsigned artist/band in America.

Beginning March 2nd fans will vote online on picktheband.com to decide the winner. The contest will run through March 31st with a featured performance at the ASCAP "I Create Music" Expo in April in Los Angeles as the top prize. Fans are encouraged to vote everyday and can win a variety of great prizes the more they vote.

The video-based contest has been designed to showcase bands in a variety of ways, to get the fans to know as much as possible about them.

The bands were asked to submit the following:

  • An original music video
  • 2 original songs
  • A live performance video
  • Photos and bio

The submissions were reviewed by our panel of judges that included Producers Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne) and Bennett Kaufman (President/CEO of The BK Entertainment Group). The top 15 bands have been selected and represent a cross-section of rock music from across the country.

"Of the new models for finding talent we believe Pick The Band has a great formula and we are excited to have them involved with the ASCAP Expo," said Randy Grimmett, ASCAP Sr. VP, Domestic Membership. "The EXPO is the first and only national conference 100% dedicated to songwriting and composing. With a focus on connecting aspiring music creators, it's the perfect opportunity to showcase Pick The Band's winner."

"This is truly an exciting event and we are very pleased to that our winner will have the chance to perform at the ASCAP 'I Create Music' EXPO," said Roie Avin, President of PickTheBand.com.

"Previous winners of Pick The Band contests have recorded with Don Gilmore and Mudrock (Avenged Sevenfold and Godsmack). The winners and even some of the runners-up have also received interest and offers from national labels as well as airplay and increased publicity."

For more information go to: www.PickTheBand.com.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Hollywood Honors Late Actor Roy Scheider With 'Smiles From the Stars: A Celebration of the Work and Life of Roy Scheider'

Two-Time Academy-Award Nominee is Honored with a Star-Studded Event to Benefit The Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

LOS ANGELES, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 81st Annual Academy Awards(R) last Sunday, the late Roy Scheider was memorialized as one of Hollywood's great actors. As an extension to his tribute in the 2009 Oscar "In Memorium" video, Roy Scheider's late wife Brenda Siemer Scheider, along with Joshua Newton, British writer-director of Iron Cross, Mr. Scheider's last film, are honoring the internationally acclaimed actor with an exclusive star-studded event at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Hollywood will toast the late actor on Saturday, April 4 in an evening produced by family friend and director Gordon Hunt, father of Oscar-winning actress Helen Hunt, which will feature appearances and speeches from friends and industry colleagues along with a special surprise performance. The evening will benefit The Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

"What would best honor Roy's talent and determination would be our success in raising money for stem cell research and finding a cure for multiple myeloma," said Brenda Siemer Scheider.

In February 2008 renowned actor Roy Scheider lost his battle to myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. Coincidentally, Joshua Newton's father passed from the same disease just several months earlier. Both died during the filming of Iron Cross, a $30m revenge thriller, in which Roy plays the lead, a character inspired by the director's father, Bruno Newton. Roy passed just one day short of completing his filming, challenging Joshua Newton to finish the scene Roy had left by using groundbreaking CGI technology. The film is slated to be completed in Summer 2009. Guests will be treated to a special sneak preview of the trailer for Iron Cross at the event.

"I didn't know Roy had myeloma when I thought of him to play a role which was essentially my father," states Joshua Newton. "There were many strange coincidences like that which surrounded the production of Iron Cross, in which Roy has delivered one of the most powerful performances of his career. Myeloma has robbed Brenda and I of two people whom we adored and admired and we're pleased to honor them both at a fantastic event that will raise much needed funds for myeloma research."

Mr. Scheider has been nominated twice for Academy Awards for "The French Connection" (Best Supporting Actor) and "All That Jazz" (Best Actor). His many films include "Klute," "The Seven Ups," "Marathon Man," "Blue Thunder," "52 Pick-Up," "Sorcerer," "The Russia House," "The Rainmaker" and most famously "Jaws." His television work included three seasons of "SeaQuest DSV" and two award winning HBO projects "Somebody Has to Shoot the Picture" and "RKO 281." Mr. Scheider also received an "Obie" for his role in the Off Broadway production of "Stephen D," and was awarded The Drama League Award for Best Performance in the Broadway production of Harold Pinter's "Betrayal."

For more information or to request media credentials to cover this event please contact Stephanie Samson or Alicia Mohr from PMK/HBH at (310) 289-6200.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Jackson Browne to Bring His 'Time The Conqueror World Tour' Home to North America for a Summer 2009 Leg Running July 7 - August 31

LOS ANGELES, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne will bring his Time The Conqueror World Tour to North America for a two-month summer 2009 leg kicking off July 7-8 with shows in Orillia, Ontario. Canadian dates also include concerts in Ottawa and Montreal before the tour begins a coast-to-coast sweep of the United States on July 13 in Danbury, CT. The just-announced itinerary concludes on August 31 in St. Paul, MN, with U.S. highlights throughout the summer including shows at: the Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn, NY (7/21); Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta, GA (8/6); the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA (8/12); and Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UT (8/25). The Gilford, NH (7/16) and Boston, MA (7/19) shows will include an opening set from Shawn Colvin and Canadaigua, NY (8/1) and Camden, NJ (8/2) -- will feature Steve Earle as a solo opener

With shows billed as "An Evening with Jackson Browne," the summer 2009 dates -- following legs in Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and Europe -- bring the world tour full circle. It launched with an initial U.S. leg last September coinciding with the Browne's 60th birthday and the release of Time The Conqueror, his first studio set since 2002. The new album is out on the artist's own independent label Inside Recordings, and was produced by Browne and Paul Dieter. Upon its release, MOJO wrote, "Browne delivers elegantly considered weight and truth...His grand yet unpretentious imagery shows why he's admired by such diverse peers as Springsteen and Randy Newman...Throughout, his band plays with subdued beauty and Browne sings with resonant grace."

The Time The Conqueror World Tour -- which spotlights material from the new album as well as career-spanning favorites -- had its opening night with a Washington, DC concert in fall '08, when the Washington Post said, "The new material demonstrated that Browne, just a few weeks shy of 60, still has a terrific touch...Browne thanked the audience for having indulged him. He needn't have: The pleasure was ours." Of another '08 show, the Boston Herald wrote, "Hail the 'Conqueror,' Jackson Browne triumphs at Orpheum."

Accompanying Browne on the road is his band of fifteen years: Kevin McCormick (bass), Mark Goldenberg (guitars), Mauricio Lewak (drums) and Jeff Young (keyboards, backing vocals). They have been with Browne since 1993's I'm Alive, playing on Looking East ('96) and The Naked Ride Home ('02) as well. For Time The Conqueror, they're joined by new members Chavonne Morris and Alethea Mills, vocalists Browne met in 2001 when they were attending Washington Preparatory High School in South Los Angeles and singing with Fred Martin & The Levite Camp.

Prior to Time The Conqueror, Browne's most recent releases were two live albums recorded on solo acoustic tours in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. The GRAMMY(R)-nominated Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 ('05) and Vol. 2 ('08) -- both available on Inside -- feature Browne alternately on piano and guitar, performing songs from his entire career, ranging from hits to rarities. In his four-star review of Vol. 2 for Rolling Stone, Anthony DeCurtis wrote, "This is Browne at his best, engaging his audience, his own experiences and the world around him, all in songs that will not lose their resonance any time soon."

Since his acclaimed 1972 self-titled debut album, Jackson Browne has defined a genre of songwriting and performing that is charged with honesty, emotion and personal politics. Two of his albums, Late For the Sky and The Pretender, are on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." He's been recognized with inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2004) and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame (2007), with recent humanitarian honors including the John Steinbeck Award and the Chapin-World Hunger Year Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award. In January of this year, Browne was part of the celebrations surrounding the inauguration of President Barack Obama, performing at the Health for All Blue Diamond Ball at the Smithsonian Institution's Natural History Museum.

For tour dates and more information, log on to www.jacksonbrowne.com

North American Tour Dates 2009

    - July 7-8    Orilia, ON               Casino Rama
    - July 10     Ottawa, ON               LeBreton Flats
    - July 11     Montreal, QC             Salle Wilfrid Pelletier--Place
                                            des Arts
    - July 13     Danbury, CT              Ives Concert Park
    - July 14     Shelburne, VT            The Green at Shelburne Museum
    - July 16     Gilford, NH              Meadowbrook
    - July 17     Mashantucket, CT         MGM Grand Theater at Foxwood
    - July 19     Boston, MA               Bank of America Pavilion
    - July 21     Brooklyn, NY             Prospect Park Bandshell
    - July 22     Vienna, VA               Filene Center at Wolf Trap
    - July 24     Saratoga Springs, NY     Saratoga Performing Arts Center
    - July 25     Atlantic City, NJ        Borgata
    - July 27     Rochester Hills, MI      Meadow Brook
    - July 28     Cincinnati, OH           PNC Pavillion at Riverbend Music
                                            Center
    - July 30     Highland Park, IL        Ravinia Festival
    - August 1    Canandaigua, NY          Constellation Performing Arts
                                            Center
    - August 2    Camden, NJ               Susquehanna Bank Center
    - August 4    Charlottesville, VA      Charlottesville Pavilion
    - August 6    Atlanta, GA              Chastain Park Amphitheatre
    - August 7    St. Augustine, FL        St. Augustine Amphitheatre
    - August 12   Los Angeles, CA          Greek Theatre
    - August 13   San Diego, CA            Humphrey's
    - August 15   Las Vegas, NV            Red Rock Resort, Spa & Casino
    - August 16   Santa Barbara, CA        Santa Barbara Bowl
    - August 18   Avila Beach, CA          Avila Beach Resort
    - August 19   Oakland, CA              Paramount Theatre
    - August 21   Woodlinville, WA         Chateau Ste. Michelle
    - August 22   Goldendale, WA           Maryhill Winery
    - August 25   Park City, UT            Deer Valley Resort
    - August 26   Morrison, CO             Red Rocks Amphitheatre
    - August 28   Oklahoma City, OK        Zoo Amphitheatre
    - August 29   Omaha, NE                Orpheum Theatre
    - August 31   St. Paul, MN             Minnesota State Fair

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Denon Classics' Andre Rieu #1 Top Selling Classical Artist & #8 Pollstar Touring Act in 2008!

Andre Rieu's New 'Greatest Hits' on CD and DVD set for release March 3rd

Longest North American Tour Ever Beginning in April '09

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Denon Classics, once again the U.S.'s #1 independent Classical label is celebrating the announcement of Andre Rieu as the #1 selling Classical artist for 2008 according to Billboard Magazine as well as attaining the #8 spot in Pollstar Magazine among all the touring acts of 2008 in the U.S.! Rieu landed atop this year's sales tally as the nation's top selling classical artist according to Billboard Magazine. He returns to the United States in the Spring of 2009 for an unprecedented "Greatest Hits Tour" celebrating his 30th anniversary as a performer with more consecutive U.S. dates than he has ever scheduled before, spanning April, May and June. To commemorate his artistic achievement and to honor his upcoming 30-year milestone, Denon Classics will release "Andre Rieu's Greatest Hits" as chosen by his fans and collected from all of his Denon releases on CD, DVD and a deluxe CD/DVD set on March 3rd.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081217/LA52981LOGO)

Andre Rieu has already earned the distinction as the #1 pledge drive artist for PBS and now the #1 Classical artist according to Billboard Magazine. Firmly established as one of the top performing artists according to Pollstar Magazine who ranked him as the #8 top touring draw of the year on ticket sales approaching $77 million (placing him in good company amongst the likes of Madonna, The Eagles, Bon Jovi and Coldplay), Rieu has won legions of fans worldwide and his success continues to grow with each new release and tour. Combining unparalleled showmanship with shrewd marketing, Rieu has built a world class musical career with sold out tours and increasing sales of his specials and recordings despite the ever changing dynamics of the industry.

Born in 1949 in the Dutch Province of Maasticht, Andre Rieu began his classical music training at the age of five encouraged by his father, a professional conductor. Focusing on the violin throughout, Rieu immersed himself in his musical studies attending the conservatoire in Liege, Maastrich and finally in Brussels where he concluded his musical training with distinction (Premier Prix). It did not take long before Rieu founded his first ensemble, the Maastrich Salon Orchestra performing throughout the world even as he is engaged as a violinist in the Limburg Symphony Orchestra. In 1987, Rieu recruited the 12 member Johann Strauss Orchestra. It was from this foundation that he soon catapulted to success performing concerts throughout Europe in support of his first album, "From Holland With Love," which included the piece "Second Waltz" -- a beautiful version of a Dmitri Shostakovich composition that captured the imagination of ever-larger audiences triggering a wave of affection for the waltz and earning him the fond nickname, Waltz King! With each subsequent project, Rieu gradually built a juggernaut musical enterprise of world tours (with an expanded 50 member orchestra), recording studios and TV specials -- all of which were produced, designed and marketed in house. It's an incredible endeavor matched only by the likes of similar enterprises such as Cirque du Soleil.

2009 is certain to be another banner year for Rieu with the 30-city arena tour, select repeat airings of his specials on PBS beginning in March and the release of his hand-picked greatest hits collections. Denon Classics' "Greatest Hits" collections include songs and performances taken from all of his hit releases on the label such as "Live in Dublin," "At Radio City," "Live in Vienna," "At The Movies," "Wonderland," "New Years in Vienna," "Tuscany," "Homecoming" and more. "Andre Rieu's Greatest Hits" will be released as a 15-track CD, a 20-performance DVD and a two-disc limited edition CD with bonus tracks which will also include a bonus DVD with five exclusive performances.

A platinum selling artist around the world, Rieu's worldwide appeal is as strong as ever having recently earned his 4th Platinum certification from Canada's CRIA for the DVD "CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD" bringing his total awards to 15 to date (including 11 Gold Sales certifications).

Rieu recently completed a record-breaking tour of Australia in 2008 selling out his eleven city World Stadium Tour (which included traveling with a full sized replica of Vienna's spectacular Schonnbrun Palace) which only added to his already multi-platinum sales. Rieu's specials dominated the music DVD charts in Australia capturing the top 6 spots on the charts (with 21 of his specials landing in the top 50 overall!).

Confirmed U.S. dates for Rieu's "Greatest Hits" tour are:

    4/23  New York             Hammerstein Ballroom
    4/24  Bridgeport           Arena @ Harbor Yard
    4/25  Nassau, NY           Nassau Coliseum
    4/26  New Jersey           Prudential Center
    4/27  Reading              Sovereign Center
    4/28  Philadelphia         Susquehanna Bank Center
    5/14  Baltimore            1st Mariner Arena
    5/15  Wilkes-Barre         Wachovia Centre
    5/16  Cleveland            Quicken Loans
    5/17  Pittsburgh           Mellon Arena
    5/18  Columbus             Nationwide Arena
    5/19  Detroit              Fox Theatre
    5/21  Chicago              Allstate Arena
    5/22  Milwaukee            Milwaukee Theatre
    5/23  Minneapolis          Target Center
    5/24  Des Moines           Iowa Events Center
    5/25  Omaha                Qwest Center
    5/26  Denver               Pepsi Center
    6/12  Vancouver            GM Place
    6/13  Seattle/Tacoma       Tacoma Dome
    6/14  Portland             Rose Garden Arena
    6/16  Oakland              Oracle Arena
    6/17  Sacramento           Arco Arena
    6/18  Fresno               SaveMart Arena
    6/19  Los Angeles          Nokia Theatre
    6/20  San Bernardino       Citizens Business Bank Arena
    6/22  San Diego            Cricket Wireless Pavilion
    6/23  Phoenix              Jobing.com Arena
    6/24  Las Vegas            Orleans Arena
    6/25  Salt Lake City       Usana Amphitheatre

The Savoy Label Group (SLG) features not only the historic Savoy Jazz label but also the Denon, Denon Classics, SLG and 429 Records labels. Savoy Label Group is the North American unit of Columbia Music Entertainment (formerly Nippon Columbia), the oldest music company in Japan. SLG is lead by Steve Vining and CME is headed by Chairman Strauss Zelnick, founder of Zelnick Media which owns interests in and manages an array of media companies.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]