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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jane Ayer Public Relations
www.janeayerpr.com
Sherman
Oaks, CA (January 24, 2008) -- Andy Williams, one of the most
beloved singers, has been named the recipient of the 17th Annual
ELLA Award by the Society of Singers (SOS). The announcement was
made by Jerry F. Sharell, the president and CEO of SOS, a non-profit
organization that offers comprehensive services to meet the
emergency financial needs of professional singers worldwide. Named
after its first recipient, Ella Fitzgerald, the ELLA Award is given
to singers whose significant musical accomplishments are equaled by
their dedication to charitable and humanitarian causes both local
and international.
“Andy Williams makes it look and sound easy, but behind that smooth
voice and easy charm is one of the most accomplished and skilled
singers in pop music,” says Sharell. “He’s also a man who has used
his influence to help others, including a long string of singers who
received invaluable exposure on his television shows.”
The honor will be presented to Williams at a special
ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 19, 2007. Previous
recipients of the ELLA Award, besides Ms. Fitzgerald herself,
include Frank Sinatra, Tony Martin, Peggy Lee, Steve Lawrence &
Eydie Gorme, Lena Horne, Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Tony
Bennett, Julie Andrews, Placido Domingo, Barry Manilow, Celine Dion,
Elton John, Johnny Mathis, and Gladys Knight.
With eighteen gold and three platinum albums and a top-rated
television show that ran for close to a decade, Andy Williams has
been nicknamed “The Emperor of Easy” in Great Britain, while Ronald
Reagan dubbed his voice “a national treasure.” His signature song
remains Henry Mancini’s “Moon River” and his top-selling worldwide
record is “Where Do I Begin” from the film Love Story, but he
has enjoyed more than two dozen Top 40 hits over the years,
beginning with the Number One song “Butterfly” in 1957. Almost 70
years after he began performing as a young boy, he is still singing
regularly at his own Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
Recently he opened up his new restaurant, Andy Williams Moon River
Grill in Branson.
Born in Wall Lake, Iowa, Williams formed a quartet with his
brothers, singing on the radio and then appearing on the Bing Crosby
hit “Swingin’ on a Star” in 1944. He launched his solo career in
1952, became a regular on “The Tonight Show” under host Steve Allen
in 1955, and had a string of hits beginning in the late ‘50s and
continuing through the ‘70s, including “Days of Wine and Roses,”
“Can’t Get Used to Losing You” and “Speak Softly Love (Love Theme
from The Godfather).” In 1962 he began hosting The Andy
Williams Show, an Emmy-winning variety show that showcased
Williams’ classy performances and easygoing appeal, but also helped
launch the careers of artists like the Osmonds and Ray Stevens (who
recorded for Williams’ own label, Barnaby Records, which also
released Jimmy Buffett’s first album). He performed on the Academy
Awards three times, sang at the Super Bowl, and hosted three
consecutive Grammy Awards shows. In the early 1990s, he opened his
theater in Branson, where he continues to perform, sometimes with
special guests like Glen Campbell and Ann-Margret.
Twice in recent years, songs of Andy’s have returned to the British
pop charts after being featured in television commercials; “Music to
Watch Girls By” reached the Top Ten in 1999, and “It’s the Most
Wonderful Time of the Year” became a hit again in 2007. Andy’s most
recent album, I Don’t Remember Ever Growing Up, contains his
interpretations of songs from across the years, including Neil
Sedaka’s “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” the Eagles’ “Desperado”, the
Police’s “Every Breath You Take” and Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You
Lately.”
Williams divides his time between Palm Springs, California, and
Branson. His charity work includes more than twenty years hosting
the Andy Williams San Diego Open golf tournament, with proceeds
going to the non-profit Century Club of San Diego. He has also
served as honorary chairperson of the International Charity Awards
Committee, alongside three presidents, four first ladies and a
handful of entertainers like Bob Hope and Pat Boone.
The Society of Singers was founded in 1984 by Chairman Emeritus
Ginny (Mrs. Henry) Mancini and Gilda Maiken Anderson when the two
friends, both of them former professional singers, realized that
many of their friends and colleagues were without pensions, unions,
medical insurance or places to turn for financial help during tough
times. With the help of donations from private and corporate
sponsors, SOS offers comprehensive services to meet the emergency
financial needs of applicants who have earned their primary living
as singers for five years or more. SOS aids professional singers of
all ages, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. SOS benefits the
health and welfare of professional singers worldwide and awards
scholarships to students pursuing their education in the vocal arts.
For more information about the Society of Singers, please call
818.995.7100.
Order Tickets for this event
THE SOCIETY OF SINGERS ESTABLISHES
KATRINA RELIEF FUND IN NEW ORLEANS
SOS-Donner Katrina Disaster Relief Fund Made Possible
In Part By A Generous Donation From
William H. Donner Foundation
Los Angeles, CA (May 17, 2007) – To assist with the pressing
financial needs of the Louisiana-based music community that continues
to be affected by the Hurricane Katrina disaster, the Society of
Singers (SOS) will establish a relief fund at a special presentation
in New Orleans on the afternoon of May 24, 2007. On behalf of the
William H. Donner Foundation, trustee Alex Donner will make a
presentation of a check for nearly $200,000 to SOS President Jerry F.
Sharell. The event will be held at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, a New
Orleans’ premier jazz club on the outskirts of the French Quarter.
Singers, musicians and entertainers from New Orleans will take part in
the presentation to SOS, an organization that benefits the health and
welfare of professional singers worldwide and awards scholarships to
students pursuing their education in the vocal arts.
In
addition to the generosity of the William H. Donner Foundation, this
donation also represents the net proceeds of a fundraising event held
in New York City on September 14th of last year: “A Night
In New Orleans.” This gala event was planned and executed by Alex
Donner Entertainment and Kate Edmonds Events in association with
Jazzmobile, Inc. and New Orleans’ Jimmy Maxwell.
“SOS
has been helping the members of New Orleans’ vibrant musical community
since Katrina hit almost two years ago, but this generous donation
will enable us to step up our efforts to aid a city that is still
struggling to regain its footing,” said Jerry F. Sharell, president
and CEO of the Society of Singers. “We are profoundly grateful to the
William H. Donner Foundation for recognizing and supporting our
efforts in this way, and we look forward to working with them on
behalf of the many singers and musicians who still badly need our
assistance,” added Wendy Garfinkel, Director of Human Services.
For
close to half a century, the William H. Donner Foundation has, in the
words of its trustees, supported “the judicious use of incentive
grants to advance thoughtful, creative projects.” The gift to SOS will
establish the SOS-Donner Katrina Disaster Relief Fund, which will
distribute grants to singers, and to musicians who sing, who meet
SOS’s eligibility guidelines and either reside in New Orleans or plan
to return home to the city. The event will take place from 2:00 to
4:00 pm on Thursday, May 24. Among those in attendance will be
vocalists who were assisted by SOS following Katrina and other key
people dedicated to helping the local music community.
The
Society of Singers was founded in 1984 by Chairman Emeritus Ginny
(Mrs. Henry) Mancini and Gilda Maiken Anderson when the two friends,
both of them former professional singers, realized that many of their
friends and colleagues were without pensions, unions, medical
insurance or places to turn for financial help during tough times.
With the help of donations from private and corporate sponsors, SOS
offers comprehensive services to meet the emergency financial needs of
applicants who have earned their primary living as singers for five
years or more. SOS aids professional singers of all ages, ethnic and
socio-economic backgrounds. It also works in the entertainment
community to offer scholarship programs designed to advance the vocal
arts.
Jazzmobile
is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1964 by Jazz
legend Dr. Billy Taylor to present, preserve and promote America’s
classical music, Jazz, through education and performance programs.
Jimmy Maxwell is a New Orleans Bandleader who plays events throughout
the United States. Kate Edmonds Events is a full service Event
Planning Company based in New York and active throughout the United
States and Europe. Alex Donner Entertainment is a New York based
Music Company providing the Alex Donner Orchestra and a number of
other Orchestras throughout the United States.
For
more information about the Society of Singers and the SOS-Donner
Katrina Disaster Relief Fund, please consult
www.singers.org
or call (818) 995-7100.
***
Great Voices, Great Songs
Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, k.d. lang, Nat King Cole, Celine
Dion
And More Create An Album Of Standards For All Generations
Jill Scott and George Benson Duet on “SUMMERTIME,”
available for the first time on CD
LOS ANGELES, CA -- In a fitting tribute, popular
music’s best and most
beloved vocalists have contributed their incomparable talents to raise money
for The Society Of Singers, resulting in an album of musical standards that
spans generations. From legendary icons Etta James and Mel Torme, to contemporary
stars Jane Monheit and Peter Cincotti (and everyone in between), The
Society Of Singers Presents: Great Voices, Great Songs covers a sweeping array of
musical styles and eras. Perhaps no other song on the album personifies
this concept
better than “Summertime,” the duet recorded by George Benson
and Jill Scott. Originally performed during the television special “Broadway’s
Best” on Bravo, this marks the first time the song will be available
in CD format.
Great Voices, Great Songs culls through the ‘Great American Songbook’ and
is filled with compositions that have long stood the test of time – but
with a twist. The collection pulls together the best singers of the past fifty
years, each providing their own personal interpretation of the classics. The
CD was produced by SOS president Jerry F. Sharell with Shawn Amos. Where else
can an artist like Rickie Lee Jones bring new life to “Someone To Watch
Over Me” alongside Nat King Cole’s unparalleled “Don’t
Get Around Much Anymore?” Tony Bennett and k.d. lang’s heartfelt “What
A Wonderful World” sits comfortably in between Ella Fitzgerald’s “Miss
Otis Regrets” and Peter Cincotti’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Aside
from being a tremendous collection for any music fan, Great Voices,
Great Songs stands as an elegant homage to the professional vocalists the album
will benefit.
Seven of the twenty tracks are from Society of Singers Ella Award Recipients.
A portion of all album sales will go directly to The Society Of Singers,
a nonprofit organization devoted to addressing the needs of professional
singers
worldwide for the past 20 years.
THE SOCIETY OF SINGERS PRESENTS: GREAT VOICES,
GREAT SONGS
Release Date: August 2004
1. “Someone To Watch Over Me” – Rickie Lee
Jones
2. “Sweet Lorraine” – Frank Sinatra
3. “Bewitched” – Celine Dion
4. “Miss Otis Regrets” – Ella Fitzgerald
5. “The Very Thought Of You” – Steve Tyrell
with Robbyn Kirmsse
6. “Big Spender” – Peggy Lee
7. “Ain’t Misbehavin’” – Peter Cincotti
8. “Blue Moon” – Mel Torme
9. “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You” – Diana
Krall
10. “Stormy Weather” – Etta James
11. “Body And Soul” – Carly Simon
12. “God Bless The Child” – Aretha Franklin
13. “When October Goes” – Barry Manilow
14. “Over The Rainbow” – Little Jimmy Scott
15. “Since I Fell For You” – Nina Simone
16. “What A Wonderful World” – Tony Bennett & k.d.
lang
17. “Thanks For The Memory” – Rosemary Clooney
18. “Summertime” – Jill Scott & George Benson
19. “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” – Nat “King” Cole
20. “If” – Jane Monheit
***
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