PHILADELPHIA, PA. (Top40 Charts/ Penn's Landing Corporation) - Fam Jams! the "I Can't Believe It's FREE, Can't Miss Concert Weekend for All Ages" returns to Penn's Landing for a second season with yet another rising star studded line up.
Last year we brought you The Jonas Brothers, and this year Penn's Landing proudly presents DEMI LOVATO, star of hit Disney movie "
Camp Rock" in her only FREE concert performance this summer! Presented by Independence Blue Cross, this jam-packed weekend features some of the hottest rising stars in FREE concerts sure to entertain all ages. It's two great days of great family fun, Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, located on Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street featuring FREE concerts. Fam Jams! will feature fun activities for kids in an all around family-friendly experience. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to see some of the best young artists in the business for FREE!
Pop-sensation DEMI LOVATO, will close this fantastic FREE concert weekend on Sunday, July 27. After entering the acting world at age six as Angela on "Barney & Friends," Lovato went on to guest star roles in "Prison Break," "Split Ends," and "Just Jordan." Lovato became a household name as she expanded her acting talent on the Disney Channel in "As the Bell Rings," "Sketchpad," and "Camp Rock." While Lovato has proven herself an on-screen talent, she also dominates on the concert stage. This singer/songwriter will tour with last year's Fam Jam favorite, The Jonas Brothers, in their 2008 summer "Burning Up" Tour.
EATURED TALENT ON SATURDAY, JULY 26
BIANCA RYAN
Local rock superstar Bianca Ryan will headline Saturday, July 26. Thirteen-year-old Ryan has excelled in the entertainment world for most of her life. Surprisingly, however, she began competing not as the powerhouse singer she has become, but as an award-winning tap dancer. Confident in her dance abilities, her father encouraged her to audition for "Star Search." To his surprise, Bianca took the stage without tap shoes and belted out Aretha Franklin's "Think" instead. Ryan's newfound talent earned her a coveted spot on the show. Her next big break came three years later when she blew away another set of unsuspecting judges - this time at her "America's Got Talent" audition. Ryan went on to win the show in 2006, thus jump-starting her track to stardom.
Over the past few years, Ryan has worked with some of the most respected record labels and producers, most notably her five-album contract as the first American artist with SYCOmusic, run by Simon Cowell as part of Columbia Records. Cowell, known as one of the toughest critics in the business, claims "Bianca Ryan is potentially one of the best singers I have ever heard in my life."
KEKE PALMER
Stage and screen star Keke Palmer has distinguished herself in both the acting and singing arenas. At age nine, Palmer made her on-screen acting debut as Queen Latifah's niece in "BarberShop 2 - Back In Business." As she developed her craft, she dazzled in roles in television ("Medicine," "Cold Case," "ER," and "Law & Order SVU"), the Emmy-nominated made for TV movie titled, "The Wool Cap," her own Disney Channel series, "Keke & Jamal," and two LionsGate family movies - "Madea's Family Reunion" and "Akeelah and The Bee."
For her talent, Palmer has been recognized with an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Nomination in the Best Leading Actress category. Yet on the Penn's Landing stage, Palmer showcases her other impressive talent - her voice. This Atlantic Records recording artist personalizes her up-tempo R&B tracks and inspirational love songs with a youthful exuberance that makes her tunes unforgettable. Her debut album, "So Uncool," hit stores in September 2007.
THE CLIQUE GIRLZ
Fresh off their appearance on the Ben Franklin Parkway on July 4, the Clique Girls featuring sisters Paris and Destinee Monroe along with best friend Ariel Moore will head to stage at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing for the first day of Fam Jams, Saturday, July 26. The three met at school five years ago and became inseparable friends, driven by their love of music and dance.
The Clique Girlz have been making a name for themselves, since before going into the studio to record their debut, singing their incredible version of the "Star Spangled Banner" at a variety of sporting events, including NASCAR, NBA, MLB, and US Open tennis events. They've also opened for such groups as Backstreet Boys, The Click Five, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kirk Franklin and the Jonas Brothers. Their debut album, releasing on Interscope Records, is richly filled with three-part leads and harmonies delivered with a modern and contemporary sound that contradicts their ages. For more information, visit www.cliquegirlz.com
FEATURED TALENT ON SUNDAY, JULY 27
DEMI LOVATO
As Mitchie Torres in the Disney Channel's "Camp Rock," which was released on June 20, 2008, Demi Lovato is considered Disney's newest rising star. Billed as "the next Miley Cyrus," Lovato is set to star with her best friend, Selena Gomez, in "Princess Protection Program," which is due to premiere September 19, 2008. Disney Channel has also announced "Welcome to Mollywood," a live-action series starring Demi Lovato as a 15-year-old who is picked through a nationwide casting call to star in a teen series. "Welcome to Mollywood" will revolve around the actress-singer's home and work life, and also feature comedy sketches from the fictional show-within-a-show. Production starts in September to premiere sometime during the 2008-09 TV season.
TIMMY KELLY
Since 2001, when then 8-year-old Bustleton native Timmy Kelly sang a rousing "Star-Spangled Banner" at the first home game of the Camden Riversharks, he has become a local singing hero. Timmy has overcome serious physical limitations of blindness and cerebral palsy to sing his heart out for such audiences as the Philadelphia Eagles, President Bush, and Governor Rendell. Timmy was born 3 1/2 months premature, weighing just over 1 pound, blind with cerebral palsy and other problems that required medical intervention for most of his early life. His parents, Tim and Eileen, had one goal: To make him independent. He was the first blind student mainstreamed in the Philadelphia School District. He loved singing early on and has a strong voice, which, coming from such a slight body, amazes people everyday.
ASHLEE KEATING
Ashlee Keating is a 14-year-old singer/songwriter and a true triple threat with a natural ability to sing, dance, and act. Performing professionally since she was 3 years old, Ashlee was selected to audition for "Al Alberts TV Showcase" on ABC TV in Philadelphia, PA. They were so impressed with her voice and stage presence, she was cast on the show and performed for the next 5 years until the show went off the air.
Ashlee began her professional acting career at the age of 5, in the Broadway production of "The Sound of Music." At the age of 8, Ashlee performed the National Anthem in Atlantic City, NJ for the Miss America Pageant. In 2004, at the age of 11, she was selected to appear on CBS "Star Search." Now, at age 14, her stage presence, confidence, and charisma have landed her roles in television, film, and theatre. She was recently selected as a Radio Disney Incubator Artist (up and coming) and performs at live events as a soloist at several venues. Ashlee has also been in the studio with 4 times Number 1 hit Billboard Songwriter/Producer, Eddie Galan and his MACH 1 team recording her debut album including her Radio Disney hits, "Boyfriend" and "Make Me Laugh, Make Me Cry." Ashlee also is a co-writer of her new song, "Makin Noize."
BROCK STORM
Born and raised in the small agricultural town of Lake City, FL, Brock Storm is one of the freshest new pop acts to hit the scene. He will take the stage on Sunday, July 27 as part of Fam Jams! Free Concert weekend at Penn's Landing.
At the age of ten, Brock began traveling the nation, performing nearly every weekend at any gig he could snag. Brock's songs "Crazy for the Girl" and "She Leaves It, Like He Left It" ranked among the top ten requested songs at local radio stations for several weeks. With over ten years of hard work, this teen has over 400 shows under his belt. In the past year, Brock has teamed up with a variety of producers bring a brand new sound to the pop music scene. Now at the age of seventeen, and working with Monopoly Music, Brock continues to record new material with some of the biggest writers in pop music and is finding fans among radio stations and young fans around the country.
TIFFANY G
Thirteen-year-old singer, songwriter and actress Tiffany Giardina is a pint-sized singing sensation who scored her first hit with "Sure Don't Feel Like Christmas." Tiffany awed a worldwide audience with a live, power-packed performance on "Fox and Friends" that touched the hearts of servicemen and their families and catapulted her debut disc, "We've Got Christmas," into the realm of classic holiday recordings. Tiffany learned to sing well before her first acting role. Among the artists that continue to inspire her are Carole King, Madonna, Hilary Duff, and Patti LaBelle. Singing with Patti LaBelle at Ms. Labelle's 60th birthday bash is the highlight of her young life to date! Tiffany has also appeared in comedy sketches on "Saturday Night Live" and the "Late Show with David Letterman."
Buzzbee and the crew from B101 radio will be on hand to host the day's events on Saturday. WBEB 101.1 FM (B 101) is an adult contemporary radio station broadcasting in the Philadelphia market. Founded in 1963 by David L. Kurtz, B-101 is credited with many industry firsts. Owned and operated by Jerry Lee, it is the only independently owned station that has enjoyed consistent Top 10 ratings for decades.
Radio Disney personalities will host the day's events on Sunday, July 27 with coordinating themed games and prizes. "Radio Disney AM 640 is very excited about Penn's Landing's commitment to providing great quality family entertainment to Philadelphia area residents for Free. We are very proud to be supporting the FAM JAMS! concert weekend and look forward to being a partner for many years to come," comments Director of Marketing, Jenny Michele.
Radio Disney is the No. 1 destination for kids, tweens and families on the radio. It is available to 97% of the U.S. on over 50 terrestrial radio stations and through most of South America. In the U.S., it is also available on: RadioDisney.com, XM and Sirius satellite radio, iTunes Radio Tuner, digital cable television's Music Choice channel, XM/DIRECTV and mobile phones. Kids, tweens and families can also download Radio Disney programming via the iTunes Music Store. Radio Disney brand extensions include multiple Radio Disney Jams CDs from Walt Disney Records.
Fam Jams is proudly sponsored by CBS 3. CBS 3 (KYW-TV) is part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation. Admission is FREE for all FAM JAMS! concerts.
Public Programming at Penn's Landing would not be possible without our presenting sponsor Independence Blue Cross and the continued support of PECO, Bank of America, Pennsylvania Lottery, Live Nation and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom are committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia community.
Penn's Landing Corporation is the non-profit organization responsible for funding and producing public programming on the Great Plaza, Philadelphia's Delaware Waterfront Park. Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2008 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. All events produced by Penn's Landing Corporation are FREE to the public and on the Great Plaza, the heart of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's premier riverfront entertainment destination.
For more information and event details, please call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com. The Penn's Landing Corporation website is a virtual resource for the waterfront which can help visitors plan to easily park, play and stay all day at Penn's Landing.
