KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Hallmark announced today that multiple Grammy Award-winner Michael McDonald will be the featured artist on its 2005 Hallmark Music Holiday CD. Michael McDonald's "Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album" includes ten seasonal songs selected and recorded by Michael for this special album. The title track is a new holiday classic written by Michael and his wife, Amy Holland, for this CD. Produced by Michael McDonald, Shannon Forrest and Grady Walker, the album will be available throughout November and December 2005 exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. The announcement was made by Ann Herrick, Integrated Marketing Manager at Hallmark.
Michael McDonald's distinctive voice and unique singing style helped launch him into international fame soon after he joined the Doobie Brothers in the late 1970s. Among their many Grammy-Award winning, Platinum and Gold hits are McDonald's "What A Fool Believes," "Taking It To The Streets," and "Minute By Minute." During his decades-long career with the Doobie Brothers, as a solo artist, in live performances and recordings with other noted artists including James Ingram and Patti LaBelle, McDonald earned a stellar reputation for what is often called his "Blue-Eyed Soul" delivery of new and classic songs. His renditions of Motown hits recently earned him his first Platinum record as a solo artist and yet another Grammy nomination. His new endeavor, "Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album," includes a unique and diverse selection of songs, capturing the special ways in which people around the world celebrate the holiday season.
"Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album" is priced at $7.95 with each purchase of three Hallmark cards. Consumers can visit Hallmark.com or call 1-800-HALLMARK to find a Gold Crown store in their area.
McDonald's signing to record this new holiday CD reflects Hallmark's ongoing commitment to partnering with world-renowned artists in the music industry. Teri Brown, president of T.B.A. Network, Inc., was instrumental in crafting the partnership between Hallmark and McDonald. Hallmark has offered holiday music since the mid-1980s with such recording artists as Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Olivia Newton-John, Natalie Cole and Tony Bennett, among others. Last year's "James Taylor: A Christmas Album," was the only CD of the holiday season to be certified Platinum. Hallmark's first Valentine's Day CD featuring newly arranged songs by Martina McBride, went Gold one week following its release on Jan. 24, 2005. Hallmark is synonymous with quality entertainment, producing and sponsoring the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame television series for more than 50 years.
About Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Kansas City-based Hallmark is known throughout the world for its greeting cards, related personal expression products, and television's most honored and enduring dramatic series, the "Hallmark Hall of Fame." The company's Hallmark Entertainment, Inc. subsidiary is the world's leading producer and distributor of movies and miniseries made for television; its Binney & Smith subsidiary, maker of Crayola(R) crayons and markers, is the leading producer of art materials for children and students. Through licensing leadership and joint ventures, Hallmark continues to expand its product formats and distribution avenues. The company publishes products in more than 30 languages and distributes them in more than 100 countries through a multi-national strategy. In 2004, Hallmark reported consolidated net revenues of $4.4 billion.
About the Hallmark Gold Crown(R) Store Network:
The Hallmark Gold Crown(R) network of stores stands for excellence in specialty store retailing and is the premiere channel of distribution for Hallmark-branded products. More than 4,000 Hallmark Gold Crown stores can be found nationwide, most of them independently owned and operated. A Hallmark Gold Crown store is the specialty retail environment preferred by consumers who seek a comfortable shopping atmosphere, a higher level of customer service, and an extensive selection of greeting cards, gifts and other personal expression products. For the nearest Hallmark Gold Crown store, call 1-800-HALLMARK or use the store locator on Hallmark.com.
MEDIA NOTE: Because "Hallmark Gold Crown(R)" is a distinct specialty retail network, these stores should be referred to as "Hallmark Gold Crown stores" (not "Hallmark stores") in print and electronic coverage.
About Hallmark Music:
Hallmark has offered holiday music since the mid-1980s. Last year's holiday selection also featured a Grammy Award winner, James Taylor. In addition, 32 everyday titles are available in Hallmark stores, including artists such as Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong.