Mavis Staples goes to bat for the Boston Red Sox

BOSTON, MA. (Alligator Records) - The Boston Red Sox and New England Sports Network (NESN) have adopted "I Still Believe In You," a standout track from gospel / soul singing legend Mavis Staples' new Alligator CD, HAVE A LITTLE FAITH, as the theme song in their televised promo spots for the team's 2004 playoff run. The spots feature an MTV-type description complete with the artist's name, album title and the song title with each promo.

According to Jonathan K. Markella, Director of Creative Services for NESN, "Many people send me unsolicited music, hoping for it to be used to promote the Red Sox or their broadcasts on NESN - but no other song has fit so well, or come from an artist of such stature, as "I Still Believe In You" by Mavis Staples.
"Faith" and "Belief" seem to be common themes in both Ms. Staples' music and in the plight of the perennial Red Sox fan. This season, and this song, has provided hope for this October and made for some fun TV spots."

Staples will appear on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" on October 20 and will perform three shows with Al Green: October 19 in Boston at the Orpheum Theatre and October 21 and 23 in New York at the Apollo and the Beacon Theatre respectively.