Nashville, TN. (PBS) - Soundstage, the ground-breaking primetime concert series on PBS, kicks off its 4th season on January 18th with rock star
Peter Frampton, for a special two-part episode (second part to air January 25th). The season, which will run through March 1st, also includes the punk rock legends The New York Dolls (February 1st), CMA Award winner
Lee Ann Womack (February 8th) folk/rock star
Jewel (February 15th), singer/songwriter
Rickie Lee Jones (February 22nd), and rock legends
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on March 1st from Gainesville .
'We are so fortunate to have attracted such a diverse group of artists for the fourth season of Soundstage,' says Joe Thomas, founder of HD Ready. 'I think more and more musicians are realizing that coming on our show gives them the rare opportunity to solely perform their best work in an intimate setting, for TV.'
After an impressive run from 1974-1985, Soundstage, the music performance program, whose hour-long format was unique to television, was recently reintroduced by Joe Thomas. HD Ready specializes in combining high-definition television and cutting-edge surround sound. Thomas' concept was to combine the singular musical performances of the original show with an ultra modern stage boasting innovative 5.1 audio and hi-def visual technologies.
The majority of the concerts are filmed before small studio audiences, at WTTW's Grainger Studio in Chicago . However, for the fourth season, Soundstage has veered away from its usual format, by filming outside of the Chicago soundstage for a few episodes, at remote locations such as Red Rocks, Gainesville , and Myerson Symphony Center.
Two time Grammy winner LEE ANN WOMACK (February 8, 2007) will be accompanied by special guest JULIE ROBERTS, while performing hits from her 1997 platinum selling albums. Performances include 'I Hope You Dance' to 'Never, Never Again.' Roberts will be performing country classics including 'When Will I Be Loved' as well as her hit 'Smile.'
Selling more than 25 million albums worldwide, JEWEL (February 15, 2007) is known for her compelling blend of folk, rock, pop, country, blues, jazz, and classical music. Filmed at Myerson Symphony Center in Dallas, performances include, 'Foolish Games' and 'Goodbye Alice in Wonderland.'
Classic American rockers and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS (March 1, 2007) accompanied by special guest, Stevie Nicks, perform such hits as 'American Girl,' 'Learning To Fly,' and 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around.' The performances were all filmed in Petty's hometown of Gainesville , making this an emotional and electrifying evening for him.
