NEW YORK (Elektra Press Release) - Jason Mraz' rocket has arrived! Spurred by the groundswell of support for his phenomenal Elektra debut album, the appropriately titled Waiting For My Rocket to Come, Mraz has exploded as one of 2003's most acclaimed new singer/songwriters. Among the myriad of activities surrounding the effusive singer is the much-anticipated kick-off of his co-headlining tour with
Liz Phair on 7/30 in Denver, CO, which will also feature special guest Sondre Lerche. Jason will be closing the show throughout the tour, with Liz performing her full set each night in support of her new album.
"I'm amazed at the groundswell of support from fans and musicians that's happened so quickly this year," says Mraz. "Playing shows with artists like Liz Phair, someone who I've admired artistically for years, is such a treat. I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure it isn't all a dream. And, as great as Dave Matthews and John Popper and some of the other guys I've played with are, you've got to admit that Liz is much prettier."
It's truly been a phenomenal year for Jason so far, with his debut Elektra album, Waiting For My Rocket To Come, becoming the grassroots story of the year. The disk has been buoyed by the hit single "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," which was #1 at Radio's AAA Format, and is currently #6 at Hot AC, and #25 at Top 40 radio. His video for "The Remedy" has consistently been in VH1's top 20, and is a TRL Wannabe on MTV. The incredible fan response, which began in earnest via word of mouth from his concerts and an amazing online following, has culminated in Jason recently being chosen as the next musical artist to break wide open in the May 2003 Hot Spot Report which is compiled from feedback from Teen People's Trendspotters�, an exclusive nationwide network of 13-24 year olds created by Teen People to get the inside track on what's now, what's next, what matters. One of the Trendspotters'� predictions for last year's Hot Artist to be was Norah Jones.
Jason's numerous raved about TV appearances, combined with non-stop touring and burgeoning radio exposure has ignited a firestorm of support for the charismatic Mraz, with Jason's website becoming the most viewed page on Elektra.com. The internet music powerhouse Launch named Mraz Emerging Artist Of The Month for May, continuing the kind of momentum that has seen the singer go from supporting much-buzzed-about tours for superstar artists such as Jewel, and The Dave Matthews Band, to co-headlining status with singer/songwriter Phair.
Jason was also handpicked by Bon Jovi to open - along with Pete Yorn - the band's exclusive hometown Giants Stadium shows on August 7-8th.
The growing fuss over Mraz hasn't curbed his infamous sense of humor, however, or his charitable spirit. When Mraz recently discovered that some of his more entrepreneurial fans were auctioning off some of his everyday items on ebay (such as a beer bottle that he drank from), Mraz decided to raise the stakes a little. The singer has begun to auction off some of his personal effects, with all proceeds going to the Make A Wish Foundation charity.
Recent items that Jason has donated for online bidding include T-shirts he's worn on his David Letterman performance. His active fan street team also recently organized two extremely successful food drives at concerts, where fans brought canned foods that filled 10 barrels for local food banks. The outpouring of activism by his fans has inspired Mraz to make the food drives a staple at most of his upcoming tour dates this summer. "How cool is it that our fans want to help us do good for others?" asks Mraz.
Information on the food drives and on Mraz' personal effects at auction can be found at either www.jasonmraz.com or www.rightkindofphrase.com (his fan message board). Mraz is currently on tour in Australia, New Zealand (where his album entered the charts this week at #35) prior to returning to the U.S. for his summer tour. Jason will also be appearing on the new WB prime time summer music series, Pepsi Smash, 8/6 at 9:00 pm.
