International Music Press Release, Events & Tours » Artist Biographies

Electric Violinist Sarah Charness – Lady with the Pink Electric Violin

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:48:02 +0000

Electric Violinist Sarah Charness – Lady with the Pink Electric Violin

Sarah Charness, a versatile violinist since the age of four, captivates audiences with her vibrant sound and vivacious performances ranging from classical to contemporary and TOP 40.

In Spring 2010, Sarah became a member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and performed as a solo violinist for their spring national tour. Sarah has also played as a violinist for top recording artist Roger Daltrey of The Who, classical soprano Sarah Brightman and British pop singer Mika. She opened for Diana Ross at the dedication of the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas and has touredfrom Hawaii to New York and Canada to Texas as a member of String Angels.

In early 2011, Sarah was invited to play the National Anthem and Time Out Show for the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden featured as one of New York’s emerging artists. Her work with nationally acclaimed DJ’s has brought her around the world and includes being a staple at The Plaza Oak Room’s “Day and Night” Brunch. Other club performances include Tenjune, Tryst of Las Vegas, The Gates, and Greenhouse.

Sarah regularly solos for the fashion elite from prominent fashion shows in New York, including Betsy Johnson, Pronovias and Vera Wang to FIT alumni party with designer Calvin Klein and fashion consultant Tim Gunn in attendance. Currently, Sarah is working on her first solo album and has released three singles, “Pink Swan,” “Tango” and “Toss the Feathers” featuring her fluorescent pink six-string electric violin.

Charitable performances include Cipriani for Mann Foundation, Samsung for City Harvest, Chelsea Art Museum for STIMUA, and the Rubin Museum for Harboring Hearts.

Accomplishments:
As a graduate of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Sarah studied violin with Marylou Churchill, as well as voice, chamber music, and orchestral performance. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance (Violin) under the mentorship of Andrew Jennings at the University of Michigan. Sarah was awarded with a Surdna Foundation Scholarship to attend the Young Artist Orchestra and String Quartet programs at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Sarah also attended the Encore School for Strings, the Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp, and the Henry Mancini Institute. Sarah instituted a string program in 2008 at PS 9 in Brooklyn and at PS 70 in the Bronx. She is certified in the Mark O’Connor teaching method and has assisted at his Fiddle Camp. She is currently on the faculty at the Lucy Moses School in Lincoln Center.

A three-time finalist in the New England Conservatory concerto competition, Sarah was also semifinalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, afinalist in the University of Michigan concerto and a winner in the BrocktonSymphony Concerto Competition.

Sarah’s performances have been broadcasted on WCRB 99.5 FM in Boston and National Public Radio.

Musician, Artist Sheri Miller

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 07:19:57 +0000

Musician, Artist Sheri Miller

Once upon a time, in New York City, a young musician and artist named Sheri Miller, armed with her acoustic guitar, her electric sunburst 1969 Guild guitar, her Yamaha keyboard, and a pen and paper, began to write songs. Dozens of songs. She had a great love and a deep, soulful connection to music, as her mother was an opera singer and classical piano player, and her uncle a recording engineer.

During the evenings, Sheri was hard at work, paying her musical dues, working incessantly as a solo musician in the big city; fearlessly singing her heart out, banging on her guitar. Playing 4-hour covers gigs in bars and hotels, sometimes 5 nights a week. In the daytime, Sheri played keyboards and sang in a rock band for babies, as a music teacher.

In between these hours, when not tirelessly working to pay her rent as a musician, Sheri passionately wrote hundreds of pages of loose-leaf-strewn lyrics, dozens upon dozens of songs; channeling her anguish and heartbreak from a major love break-up, and dealing with tumultuous heart-breaking family issues. Sheri poured her struggles, inner demons and inner angels, and heart-drenched stories into creating a new, magnificent album; an album with integrity, soul, and artistry she’d be proud of.

Sheri had released her critically-acclaimed debut record in 2008, “Mantra,” which featured an underground hit, “Right Here, Right Now.” Upon releasing “Mantra,” Sheri was named one of Music Connection’s “Hot 100 Unsigned Artists,” played on KCRW, KEAO and WAXQ and asked to join a 4-part vocal harmony group in Nashville, The Delilahs, which soon signed to Sony Music. Sheri began co-writing with icon J.D. Souther (The Eagles), Jill Sobule, Shawn Mullins, Marcus Hummon (Dixie Chicks), Al Anderson (NRBQ) and many other incredible songwriters. But the group fell apart, and Sheri came back to New York with new inspiration.

But who would produce this authentic artist’s songs? Sheri reached out and contacted the amazing and legendary producer Kevin Killen (U2, Peter Gabriel). She played him a few songs from the inspired hurricane of titles she was writing, and shortly thereafter, with great joy, Sheri and Kevin began recording the new album “Winning Hand.”

Enlisting the all-star band of incredible, legendary musicians Will Lee (Fab Faux, CBS Orchestra), Charley Drayton (Paul Simon, Neil Young, Johnny Cash) and Gerry Leonard (David Bowie, Suzanne Vega), the artistic, poetic, and super-catchy songs of “Winning Hand” took shape. “Spoons,” the super-hooky, uptempo, beloved song dedicated to the art of “spooning” in bed. “Winning Hand,” the inspiring, “go for it, risk it all” anthem, with the uplifting, positive message “Bet we lay down a winning hand.” “Satellite,” a Led Zeppelin meets Joni Mitchell seductive love song, beckoning a lover in outer space; written in a rare, strange guitar tuning invented by Sheri. “Everybody Feels This Way Sometimes,” a highly melodic, deeply confessional, raw song, lifting with an anthemic chorus. “Hungry For The Truth,” a sassy, attitude-filled, poetic, rebellious declaration of owning one’s individuality.

Soon enough, the songs were recorded and “Winning Hand” was finished. Sheri had labored hard, faced struggles, but emerged proud of this CD, and couldn’t wait for the world to hear it. She excitedly released the stunning songs of “Winning Hand” out into the world, and watched these songbirds fly away. Higher and higher they went. Sheri smiled. She couldn’t wait to see what happens next.

For more info: http://www.sherimiller.com
Purchase “Winning Hand”: http://bit.ly/mwV3Mx

Remembering Singer, Composer, Lyricist & Actor Kishore Kumar on His Birthday

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:59:42 +0000

Remembering Singer, Composer, Lyricist & Actor Kishore Kumar on His Birthday

Kishore Kumar, born on August 4th, 1929 is one of India’s most loved and respected Playback Singer whose evergreen songs are popular even today in most Indian households. Kumar also achieved notable success as a lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter.

Technorati Tags: kishore kumar, singer

12 Year old Music Prodigy – Charlie Dane

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:54:54 +0000

12 Year old Music Prodigy – Charlie Dane

ABOUT CHARLIE DANE At only 12, Charlie Dane is already an accomplished singer and guitar player with 6 years of training. She first picked up the guitar at age five and practices daily.

Charlie Dane has performed live numerous times as a young amateur solo artist. She has appeared in front of large groups at venues such as the Town of Oyster Bay’s Cruise Night, local talent shows, beach resorts and restaurants. She was selected as a winner of the 2010 Town of Oyster Bay Arts Council Talent Competition and also won the Morgan Park 2010 Young Performers Talent Competition.

“Charlie’s talent and creativity comes through in everything that she does, although her true passion and strength has always been her music” said Pattie Lublin, Charlie’s mother – and this seems to be true; Charlie is not only already an exceptional and well schooled guitarist and vocalist (spending the last 6 years She studying under Patti Dunham of Sea Cliff for voice and under Larry Meyer of Huntington for guitar and her last 6 summers at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts) but she is also an accomplished artist and writer; winning the Nassau Region PTA Helen B. Vandermosten Arts-in-Education award for visual arts and the Phyllis Wilens award in the Kenneth F. Gambone Writing Contest, in addition to receiving first place accolades in visual arts for the PTA Reflections Contest in Oyster Bay for the past four years running – where her entries also went to the State finals the past two years in a row.

Charlie recently drew a huge crowd performing at LaMotta’s Shorefront Restaurant in Port Washington NY. From the recognition she received at this performance she was asked to join Premik Russell Tubbs for “A Night Of Originals” at Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre.

When Charlie performs, people are naturally drawn to her and moved by her confidence and style. She is currently recording in studio and is working on more original pieces.

For more information, visit: http://www.charliedane.net

Dave Alvin To Perform New Song “Harlan County Line” On FX Television Series Justified

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:11:45 +0000

Dave Alvin To Perform New Song “Harlan County Line” On FX Television Series Justified Wednesday, FEBRUARY 23, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “HARLAN COUNTY LINE” SINGLE NOW AVAILABLE ON ITUNES PREVIEW AND STREAM THE ENTIRE TRACK ONLINE – BAND CURRENTLY FINISHING NEW STUDIO ALBUM TO BE RELEASED THIS SUMMER ON YEP ROC RECORDS

U.S. TOUR DATES TO BE CONFIRMED
Los Angeles, CA – February 22, 2011 – The “King of California” Dave Alvin and his band will perform their new song “Harlan County Line” in the opening of the new episode of FX’s critically-acclaimed series Justified on Wednesday, February 23rd at 10:00pm EST/PST (episode 3 titled “The I of the Storm”). The “Harlan County Line” single is now available for purchase on iTunes and will be included on Dave Alvin’s new studio album to be released this summer on Yep Roc Records. Click here to preview the entire track online.

Alvin, appearing in the opening of the episode, wrote and recorded the new song “Harlan County Line” specifically for the show Justified, fictionally based in Harlan County, KY. In turn, the producers wrote Alvin and the band into the script.

“I have been listening to Dave Alvin since his days with The Blasters,” said Justified Executive Producer/Writer Graham Yost. “Our star, Tim Olyphant, is also a big fan, as are executive producers Sarah Timberman and Michael Dinner. Greg Sill, our music supervisor, and I discussed ways of working Dave and his music into the show. Dave wrote ‘Harlan County Line’ for fun, sent it along and we just flipped for it. We decided to create a scene in a roadhouse where we could have him play it. In editing we saw that it worked so well we had the song continue on into the next scene. Having Dave Alvin on our show has been one of the highlights of the season.”

A fourth generation Californian, Dave Alvin, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and self-described “barroom guitarist,” is widely considered to be one of the pivotal founders of the current Americana music scene. Since forming the highly influential roots rock/R+B band The Blasters, and throughout his long and critically acclaimed solo career, Dave Alvin has mixed his varied musical and literary influences into his own unique, updated version of traditional American music. Combining elements of blues, folk, R+B, rockabilly, Bakersfield country and garage rock and roll with lyrical inspiration from local writers and poets like Raymond Chandler, Gerald Locklin and Charles Bukowski, Alvin says that his songs are “just like California. A big, messy melting pot.”

Dave Alvin’s 30 years of recordings and live performances move through the loud, aggressive rock and roll of The Blasters to the contemplative acoustic storytelling of his solo albums, KING OF CALIFORNIA, BLACKJACK DAVID, DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN and from the traditional folk of his Grammy winning album, PUBLIC DOMAIN, to the electric blues of ASHGROVE. Dave Alvin’s songs have been recorded by a who’s who of contemporary roots
artists from Los Lobos, Little Milton and Joe Ely to Dwight Yoakam, James McMurtry and X. His songs have also been featured in many movies and television shows including Justified, The Sopranos, True Blood, The Wire, Six Feet Under, Crybaby, Miss Congeniality and From Dusk To Dawn.

Listen to the “Harlan County Line” single here: http://soundcloud.com/yep-roc-music-group/dave-alvin-harlan-county-line

Purchase “Harlan County Line” on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/harlan-county-line/id421399611?i=421399612&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

For up-to-date information, please visit the official Dave Alvin website: www.DaveAlvin.net
Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davealvinofficial
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Dave Alvin media contact:
Jean Sievers Paki Newell James Bailey
CO5 Media – Los Angeles CO5 Media – Los Angeles Yep Roc Records
jean@co5media.com

Young Talented Tabla Player : Riddhi Gulati

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 09:50:55 +0000

Young Talented Tabla Player : Riddhi Gulati

Music comes to her from with in – Meet Eight years old Riddhi Gulati who has a passion for Tabla. She started learning Tabla when she was 5 years old. Her efforts, regular practice & zest to learn are bearing fruits as she had already played Tabla at Sirifort Auditorium, Power Grid Audi, Gurgaon, Epicenter Audi- Gurgaon etc.

Ask her about her most memorable performance & pat comes her reply “All my performances are memorable but my performance at Sirifort is most memorable cause it was my first”

Following Banaras gharana she enjoys learning & playing different strokes. Making sure to practice every day & responding to her guru‘s direction with her little fingers she has a very positive attitude. She has won Best instrumentalist award in school along with securing first position for academics last two years.

Articles on Riddhi had been published in Times of India Child’s Play dated 3oth May 2009 & in Jagran City Gen X page on 21st August 2010. Riddhi says she loves these Indian Drums from bottom of her heart & dreams to excel in this field one day.

Singer Songwriter Cody Scott Releases his Debut CD

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:56:34 +0000

Singer Songwriter Cody Scott Releases his Debut CD

Tamaqua, PA – September 8, 2010 – From humble volunteer performances in a small town to releasing his debut CD – singer/songwriter Cody Scott – aims high, but keeps his roots close to heart. Cody’s first public performances were volunteer gigs for the American Cancer Society.

“Back then, music was a hobby for me – it was really the only thing I had to donate to this cause I believe in. It’s amazing to me how local people and fellow volunteers really got behind me and my music – catapulting my songwriting career.” Cody says, of his volunteer beginnings with the ACS.

Cody – who is currently pursuing a degree in education at Bloomsburg University – has been playing music from a young age. This CD contains original music Cody penned throughout the last few years.

The debut EP by Cody Scott, entitled “For Sale” is available for purchase at:
CDBaby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/CodyScott)
Digstation (http://www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?albumID=ALB000052819)
Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Sale-Cody-Scott/dp/B003VST7XY/)

You can also get a free download of Cody’s new single at http://www.CodyScottMusic.com/

“We’d like to congratulate Cody on the new CD. He’s an entertaining performer and a very professional musician, which is why I keep having him back.”
– Mark Rosenberger, Manager, Greystone Restaurant – Pottsville

“I’ve seen Cody’s passion for years – not only for music – but for ACS cause as well. It’s great to see him get the recognition he deserves. He’s a riot on the air!”
– Karen Kixx, Radio Host, Penn’s Peak Radio

“Cody really puts his heart and soul into his writing and performing. He was a bit of a goof in the studio, lightening up the mood and allowing us to help his music shine. It was a pleasure to work with him.”
– Jason Sander, Producer, “For Sale”

Conrad Flynn, Managing Director
Concur New Media, marketing – p/r – media production, www.concurnewmedia.com

Transcendence Music Performance in 4 West Coast Cities – Singer/Songwriter Ed Hale

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:39:16 +0000

Transcendence Music Performance in 4 West Coast Cities – Singer/Songwriter Ed Hale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Singer/Songwriter Ed Hale is taking his Transcendence music to four West Coast cities performing concerts that will long be remembered

New York, NY, August 4, 2010 – This welcome news was first announced by the International Pop Overthrow Festival who confirmed that Ed and his band will be performing in four cities on their west coast tour circuit taking place throughout August. The long-running IPO is well-known for showcasing the best artists of contemporary music and this event will be no exception!

Hale will kick off his first show in Los Angeles on August 7, with subsequent stops in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC. Dates, times and venues for all upcoming shows are available on www.myspace.com/edhale or the official IPO Festival website at www.internationalpopoverthrow.com. Ed will be performing with a four-piece group comprised of some of the best players from Brooklyn’s thriving music scene, and will be using the same guitar, bass, piano and cello set-up that he’s used in all his live concerts to support his latest album.

Known for his constant genre-jumping musical explorations, fans will love this minimalist, stripped down, all acoustic sound that is primarily composed of acoustic guitars and other string instruments – a style that Ed named ‘whisper pop’ after the album’s release. Ed’s instantly recognizable Bowiesque baritone will be soaring in and out of the hypnotic music of the band – creating an indelible sound that has fittingly been described by the press as ‘haunting,’ ‘irresistibly catchy,’ and ‘…instantly recognizable melodies that stick in your head for days.’

This has been a momentous year for this man of many talents; in his role as a U.S. civilian diplomat he met with Iranian dignitaries, made a stop at the UN to meet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, followed that by meeting with tribal village chiefs in West Africa – all this while running his NY-based Dying Van Gogh Records label. However, presumably most significant of all to Ed was his marriage to Persian beauty and best friend, Nahal Mishel-Ghashgai, in a lavish, multi-cultural public wedding in Manhattan.

Fans of the singer hope that these west coast shows are a hint at a full-blown U.S. tour, giving them ample opportunity to see the Mercurial Renaissance Man in action, doing what he does best – music!

Connect with the singer at his websites: www.myspace.com/edhale, and http://www.facebook.com/edhale#!/edhalemusic?ref=ts.

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“Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration” TO HIT Big Screens Nationwide

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:00:34 +0000

“Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration” TO HIT Big Screens Nationwide for Exclusive One-Night Event WITH NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN FOOTAGE this july

NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Bring Golden Globe®- Winning Concert Documentary to Select Movie Theaters on July 29th featuring Exclusive Segments with Priscilla Presley

Centennial, Colo. – June 30, 2010 – Commemorating the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birth, Warner Home Video, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and NCM Fathom are teaming up to present Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration special in-theater event that celebrates the timeless music of the rock ‘n’ roll icon. The event, featuring remastered film footage shot with The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll ™ on tour and in concert, will be broadcast to more than 460 select movie theaters on Thursday, July 29th at 7:00 p.m. local time. In addition, this exclusive event will feature performances and interviews from the 1972 Golden Globe® Best Documentary winner, “Elvis on Tour,” and a specially-produced, exclusive retrospective from Priscilla Presley. Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration includes never-before-seen Elvis tour footage as well as montage sequences produced by Academy Award®-winning director Martin Scorsese that showcase The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s early career and movies.

Tickets for Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration are available at participating box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the website (theaters and participants may be subject to change).

Since Elvis’s passing, Priscilla Presley has helped keep his legacy alive as an advocate for his music and as the founder of Elvis Presley Enterprises. As someone who knew the king better than almost anyone, her introduction at the beginning of the event promises to express the depth to which Elvis touched the lives of not just those who knew him, but the whole world.

“I was thrilled when I heard fans will be gathering in theaters across America on July 29 for this Elvis experience, and again in August during Elvis Week in Memphis,” said Priscilla Presley. “Those of us who witnessed Elvis in concert know how incredible it was to see him performing live. Now, through this in-theater event and DVD, millions more will get to experience that magic.”

“Elvis on Tour,” Elvis’ last film before his death in 1977, follows The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll as he embarked on a 15-city U.S. tour in April 1972. More than 25 performances spotlight Elvis’ talent, range and showmanship in captivating on-stage performances and intimate backstage rehearsals with his band. Shot with multi-cameras and presented in a split-screen format similar to “Woodstock” the movie, “Elvis on Tour” combines concert, rehearsal and backstage footage to provide all the excitement of having a front-row seat at the show. Concert performances include “Burning Love,” “Don’t be Cruel,” “Teddy Bear,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Are you Lonesome Tonight” and many more favorites.

Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration also features Elvis’ infamous appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and his first performance of “Burning Love,” which was so new, he referred to the lyric sheet during the song.

“Elvis is an American pop culture icon and lives on in the hearts of millions and will return to the silver screen for a command performance at this historic event,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “Elvis fans of all ages can experience The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll again in this restored and stunning presentation of the award-winning music documentary.”

Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration will appear in 467 select U.S. movie theaters, including AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Georgia Theatre Company, Goodrich Quality Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements, Rave Motion Pictures and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as Bainbridge 5 (Seattle, WA), The Carolina (Asheville, NC), The Grand Theatre (Bismarck, ND), the Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT), Penn Cinema (Lititz, PA) and El Raton Theatre (Raton, NM)through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network – North America’s largest cinema broadcast network.

During Elvis Week events in August of 2010, a special screening will also take place at The Orpheum Theater in Memphis, the same movie house Elvis frequented as a teenager. Tickets to the Elvis Week showing in Memphis are available by going to www.ElvisWeek.com.

“Elvis 75th Anniversary DVD Collection,” available from Warner Home Video on August 3, features 17 of The King of Rock ‘n Roll’s films, including the new “Elvis on Tour” and fan favorites “Jailhouse Rock” and “Viva Las Vegas.” Visit the Warner Home Video official website www.elvisthemovies.com for more information on events and products.

About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater network covers 171 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 17,100 screens (15,500 digital). During 2009, approximately 680 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM’s network (excluding Consolidated Theatres). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing approximately 40 entertainment-related web sites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 38.3% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.fathomevents.com.

About Warner Home Video
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, a division of the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com . EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.ckx.com), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market® under the ticker symbol CKXE.
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For artwork/photos related to this NCM Fathom Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration event, click here.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michelle Portillo                                                           Heath Fradkoff/ Bennett Kleinberg
NCM Fathom                                                              Goodman Media for NCM Fathom
michelle.portillo@ncm.com                                        hfradkoff@goodmanmedia.com /
bkleinberg@goodmanmedia.com
Ronnee Sass /Janet Keller                                            Kevin Kern
Warner Home Video                                                    Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
ronnee.sass@warnerbros.com /                                   kkern@elvis.com
janet.keller@warnerbros.com

Emma K. Mittelstadt Assistant Account Executive Goodman Media International, Inc.
750 Seventh Avenue (between 49th & 50th) 28th Floor New York, NY 10019-6834 www.goodmanmedia.com

Technorati Tags: elvis presley

Hal David Starlight Award Goes to Taylor Swift

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:35:43 +0000

Hal David Starlight Award Goes to Taylor Swift

TAYLOR SWIFT TO RECEIVE HAL DAVID STARLIGHT AWARD AT SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME GALA

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED INDUCTEES INCLUDE Leonard cohen, JACKIE DESHANNON, DAVID FOSTER, JOHNNY MANDEL and earth, wind & fire’s maurice White, philip bailey, verdine white, larry dunn and al mckay

New York, NY- May X, 2010- Hal David, Chairman/CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, today announced that Taylor Swift will be the recipient of the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award, to be presented at the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards dinner on Thursday June 17, 2010 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel.

At the young age of 14, Swift signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music and in 2006 she released her self-titled debut CD on Big Machine Records. At the age of 17, she became the youngest person to ever single-handedly write and sing a number-one country single entirely on her own (“Our Song” spent six consecutive weeks at #1 atop Billboard’s Country Singles Chart). She is also the first female solo artist in country music history to write or co-write every song on a platinum-selling debut CD- Taylor Swift. In addition, Swift wrote or co-wrote every song on her blockbuster Fearless album, released in 2008. Fearless has sold more than 5 million copies, fueled by the multi-genre domestic and international success of chart-topping singles including “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.”

Swift has sold more than 13 million albums and has numerous awards and accolades to add to her long list of accomplishments, including being the top-selling digital artist in music history, receiving the Artist of the Year Award at the American Music Awards, having the #1 best-selling album in any genre of music in both 2009 and 2008, and to be the first female solo country artist to ever win the all-genre GRAMMY award for Album of the Year. This year alone she took home four GRAMMY awards. In addition to Album of the Year, she was honored for Country Album of the Year, Best Country Song and Best Country Female Vocal Performance.

“Taylor Swift is one of the brightest musical talents to emerge in recent years, and represents the true epitome of the Starlight Award,” Commented Chairman/CEO Hal David. “She possesses an undeniable talent as a songwriter, expressive singer and performer, and we are proud to present her with this well-deserved honor.”

The Hal David Starlight Award, created in 2004, was renamed in honor of the SHOF Chairman for his longtime support of young songwriters. Award recipients are gifted songwriters who are at an apex in their careers and are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs. Swift joins the prestigious company of Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, John Legend, John Rzeznik, and Jason Mraz – the past recipients of the Hal David Starlight Award.

Inductees at this year’s event include Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, David Foster, Johnny Mandel and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Larry Dunn and Al McKay. The prestigious Johnny Mercer Award will be presented to Phil Collins and the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award will be presented to Phil Ramone.

About The Songwriters Hall of Fame:
The Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates songwriters, educates the public with regard to their achievements, and produces a spectrum of professional programs devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. Over the course of the past 41 years, some key Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees have included Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Albert Hammond, Desmond Child, Loretta Lynn, John Fogerty, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Isaac Hayes and David Porter, Steve Cropper, Dolly Parton, Richard and Robert Sherman, Bill Withers, Carole King, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, Jim Croce, Phil Collins, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams, Van Morrison, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Cy Coleman and many, many others. The Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond.

Full biographies and a complete list of inductees are available at the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Virtual Museum at http://songwritershalloffame.org/.

The mission of the Songwriters Hall of Fame is to remember and honor our great songwriters while building our musical future through workshops, showcases and scholarships, along with giving members the opportunity to vote for the next slate of inductees. Joining online is quick and easy: http://songhall.org/join

Ticket Information: Tickets for the Songwriters Hall of Fame event begin at $1000 each, and are available through Buckley Hall Events, (212) 573-6933. Net proceeds from the event will go towards the Songwriters Hall of Fame programs.

CONTACT: Fran Curtis
Rogers & Cowan
fcurtis@rogersandcowan.com

Caitlin McNamara
Rogers & Cowan
cmcnamamara@rogersandcowan.com

Lauren Wilsman
Rogers & Cowan
lwilsman@rogersandcowan.com

Technorati Tags: taylor swift, songwriters hall of fame, hal david starlight award