NEW YORK,NY (VH1 Classic) - VH1 Classic is serving up its annual "A Very Classic Thanksgiving" special on multiple platforms this year including dishing out the "first course" on Vspot, VH1's broadband entertainment (https://vspot.vh1.com) seven days before the special bows on VH1 Classic.
"A Very Classic Thanksgiving" invites some of the most accomplished names in music to the VH1 Classic family table for a four-course, holiday dinner set to premiere on Thanksgiving Day, November 24 at 7:00 PM.* DEE SNIDER (Twisted Sister) hosts this year's gathering which includes CLARENCE CLEMONS (The E Street Band), PATTY SMYTH (Scandal), WONDER MIKE (Sugar Hill Gang) and CHRIS BARRON (Spin Doctors).
To complement VH1 Classic's multiplatform approach this holiday, classic music lovers will be able to download polyphonic ringtones from some memorable songs by the featured artists at https://www.VH1.com.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, these artists who represent different musical styles and eras join together and celebrate the one common passion that they are all thankful for - their love of music. They gather at the "grown ups' table" at New York's Hard Rock Cafe and answer questions submitted by VH1 Classic viewers. During the special we learn:
- The first time that Clarence Clemons saw a rock band live was Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - the first time that he performed with them.
- Patty Smyth opened for Andy Kaufman when she was only 14.
- Chris Barron would like to write a song with Willie Nelson.
- If Wonder Mike wasn't with the Sugar Hill Gang, he'd be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys because his throwing arm was that good.
VH1 Classic Invites Viewers to "Pay to Play" in Music Video-Thon for Hurricane Katrina Relief Up to Thanksgiving
VH1 Classic has partnered with renowned pop culture artist Peter Max to launch its "Pay to Play for Hurricane Katrina Relief" campaign on the VH1 Classic web site (https://www.vh1classic.com). Viewers can make financial donations to Mercy Corps and in return request their favorite classic rock, pop & R&B music videos to be played on the channel. Mercy Corps is an international humanitarian relief organization currently providing assistance to families in the Gulf Coast who have been impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
VH1 Classic and Peter Max have devised a "scale of support" based on the amount of money that viewers donate:
- For every $25 donation, a viewer can request one video to be played on VH1 Classic. Donors will be notified by email when their video request will be played.
- For a $200 donation, a viewer can request eight (8) separate videos and receive a Peter Max limited edition poster specific to hurricane relief autographed by the artist himself.
- For a $35,000 donation, Max will paint your very own portrait. You will also get to program VH1 Classic for a whole hour with your favorite music videos from the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s.
VH1 Classic on-air hosts Amy Scott, Eddie Trunk, Toni J and Lynn Hoffman are now introducing the requested videos - and who requested them. The video-thon, airing throughout the channel's music video blocks, will run through Thanksgiving.
Launched in 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that presents music videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best rock, soul and pop artists from the 60s, 70s and 80s including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police and many more. VH1 Classic is available on all digital cable satellite platforms, reaching 33 million households across the country.
* all times ET/PT
