NEW YORK (Kenny G Official Website) - In the spirit of the times - and the season - Arista recording artist Kenny G, producer Walter Afanasieff and Arista Records have determined to donate their royalties and net proceeds from the sales of Kenny G's next single, "Auld Lang Syne (Freedom Mix)," to benefit two separate funds dedicated to the needs of police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technicians and family survivors of those who perished in the
September 11th terrorist attack, announced Antonio "L.A." Reid, President and CEO, Arista Records. The single is set to arrive in stores Nov. 5th.
The two designated funds involved in this project are the New York State Fraternal Order of Police Foundation and The International Association of Fire Fighters Counseling Foundation. These funds were established to deal with medical and counseling issues as a result of the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11th.
Starting Monday, October 14, AOL Music featured the worldwide exclusive premiere of the new Kenny G song, "Auld Lang Syne (Freedom Mix)" which resulted in over 600,000 streams in one day. Music fans can log on to AOL Keyword: First Listen to hear the single. The commercial single will also include snippets from WISHES, the long awaited third holiday album of Kenny G's career (in stores October 22nd).
Wishes builds on the success of 1994's Miracles - The Holiday Album - the biggest-selling seasonal album in history at 8-times platinum - and its follow-up, 1999's double-platinum Faith - A Holiday Album. Faith was the source of the original 8-minute "Auld Lang Syne (The Millennium Mix)," the emotionally stirring audio sound-bites-collage of the events that shaped the 20th century. In the wake of 9/11, the newly-edited 5-minute "Auld Lang Syne (Freedom Mix)" has been updated to include new and familiar historic sound-bites from September 11th news reports, President George W. Bush, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and others.
"Just over one year after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, we are standing at the crossroads of history," said Mr. Reid. "As we face an uncertain future, I am inspired and my soul is uplifted by the music and the lessons to be learned from the events that unfold in the course of listening to 'Auld Lang Syne (Freedom Mix).' Once again, Kenny G has touched our hearts at a time of the year when we do well to consider ways of helping our fellow man. Arista Records is proud to initiate this great benefit campaign whose effects will resound for years to come."
The New York State Fraternal Order of Police Foundation supports a variety of programs that benefit the law enforcement community, including providing direct financial assistance to families of fallen officers and other injured officers.
The New York September 11 Firefighters Counseling Support Foundation was established by the International Association of Fire Fighters, in conjunction with its two New York locals, in the aftermath of the September 11 tragedy. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide for the immediate and long-term counseling needs of career fire fighters and career emergency medical services personnel who require such services as a result of the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, as well as to the families of career fire fighters and career emergency medical services personnel who died in connection with this event. The Foundation is also set up to provide for the counseling needs of career fire fighters and career emergency medical services personnel, and their families, related to future incidents involving a line-of-duty death.
AOL Music's First Listen is a unique AOL program that allows music fans to hear new songs from their favorite artists even before they are available to radio stations. AOL members can conveniently access new music releases at AOL Keyword: First Listen.
Select First Listen offerings are also made available across AOL's Web Properties and are available to Web music fans around the world through AOL Music's network of music sites on Netscape, AOL Instant Messenger's AIM Today, ICQ and CompuServe, as well as through international affiliates in countries around the world.
