NEW YORK (June 4, 2007) ----- The Elevation Group, Maryland Public Television and American Public Television are
proud to announce a major arrival to the U.S. -- the truly unique musical group, Anúna.
Anúna will mark its U.S. television debut as a featured act in an emotional and
spectacular Public Television concert special – “Celtic Origins” – set to air as part of the August/September
National Pledge Drive effort. The TV concert features Anúna creator & founder Michael McGlynn and his twin brother
John McGlynn along with 14 Anúna singers. The Irish group was joined by 11 world-class
musicians during the concert taping at the beautiful, Gothic-styled Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland.
Bridging the gap between classical and popular music, Anúna has an extraordinary sound all its own. The music is pulsating,
hair-raising, emotive, mystical and unusual -- part classical, part folk, part world, part Celtic. The group’s performance
spans over 1,000 years of music history while showcasing a unique and beautiful vocal sound.
The “Celtic Origins” TV special includes music written and composed by Michael McGlynn as well as special arrangements
of traditional songs including: “Greensleeves,” “Scarborough Fair,” “Marble
Halls” and “Our Wedding Day.” Additionally,
the McGlynn brothers perform a very special duet of John Denver’s chart-topping hit, “Annie’s Song,” in
tribute to the late American folk singer/songwriter.
“We’re expecting that Anúna will take its place along side of Riverdance, Andrea Bocelli, Celtic Woman, the
Irish Tenors and many of the other stars that have
come to Public Television,” stated Kent Geist Senior Director of Community Development WVIZ/PBS -
Cleveland. “This will be a program that the entire system can be proud of. It will appeal to our core
audiences.”
The members of Anúna were first seen on Public Television as the original vocal group featured in
Riverdance. Since forming Anúna, the group has seen tremendous chart-topping European success and international acclaim.
The Liverpool Guardian writes “…[the group’s] haunting melodies, sung without any musical accompaniment, won
rapturous applause and proved beyond doubt that Anúna’s repertoire extends beyond Riverdance…”
Often credited with being the first and original creators of the entire Celtic Soprano genre, they have
performed and recorded with an illustrious list of international musical performers including: Sting, Barry Manilow, Elvis Costello,
Michael Crawford, The Chieftains, Ashley MacIsaac and Sinead
O’Connor.
“We are so excited about this extraordinary music television special. The three nights that we captured
in January were unlike any concerts I have experienced before,” commented Steven Schupak, Vice
President of Content Production at Maryland Public Television. “We feel strongly that this program will
become a real asset to Public Television and one that will have life and resonance way beyond its
original airing.”
“We are delighted to have been part of this wonderful TV program,” commented Michael McGlynn. “We
are very excited to share our music with the American audience both on television and in concert during our Fall Tour. Anúna
looks forward to working closely with Public Television stations across the USA to deliver a successful Pledge Drive special.”
As part of the Pledge Drive, a limited edition Anúna Deluxe Concert DVD will be available exclusively
through the nation’s Public Television stations. This special pledge item will be complimented by a
companion CD as well as concert tickets in select cities as part of Anúna’s North American tour.
The concert tour, kicking off on October 4, will bring Anúna to more than 35 cities in the U.S. and Canada including
New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Cleveland,
Minneapolis, Charlotte, Nashville, Knoxville, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Toronto,
Atlanta, Phoenix and others. A full list of concert markets, dates and venues will be announced shortly.
“Celtic Origins” Marketing Plan Includes Borders Group, XM Radio, Live Nation And Columbia Artists Management
“When we made the decision to work with Anúna and to create “Celtic Origins,” we made a very
conscious effort to surround the group, the TV program and the U.S. launch with the best marketing plan possible,” stated
Elevation Group President, Denny Young. “We are thrilled that Borders Group, LiveNation, XM Radio, Columbia Artists Management
and so many others have joined American Public
Television in their interest in introducing America to what I believe is some of the best music available
today.”
Borders Group is the exclusive retailer of Anúna’s new “Celtic Origins” CD, available in stores July
17.
The concert DVD will be available October 16. During a nationwide, in-store marketing campaign,
Borders will promote the TV special along with local air dates and times.
“Borders is excited to partner with Anúna and offer our customers the exclusive retail opportunity to
obtain Anúna’s CD and DVD,” said Michael Tam, chief marketing officer for Borders Group. “Through
distinctive partnerships, such as this one with Anúna, we are striving to be the headquarters for
knowledge and entertainment to our customers.”
XM will be the official satellite radio home of Anúna, broadcasting the concert this Fall on two channels:
XM’s folk music channel, The Village (XM 15) and XM’s eclectic, free-form music channel, Fine Tuning
(XM 76). Additionally, XM will provide promotional support across several channels for the XM
broadcasts, TV special and concert tour dates.
The Anúna tour kicks off October 4. The tour is being booked and co-produced by New York-based
CAMI Ventures, a subsidiary of Columbia Artists Management. CAMI Ventures has confirmed tour dates for Anúna in more than
35 cities in the United States and Canada including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Cleveland,
Minneapolis, Charlotte, Nashville, Knoxville, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Toronto, Atlanta, Phoenix and
others. A full list of concert markets, dates and venues will be announced shortly.
“We have a great group of promoters and presenters that believe in Anúna and this music,” stated Mark Maluso,
President of CAMI Ventures. “Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, has the largest number of dates on
the tour. Their commitment speaks volumes to what we are creating on the live front. Additionally, we have a great group of independent
promoters and performing arts center presenters that will help us establish Anúna as a very viable touring entity.”
Live Nation, the nation’s largest concert promoter, will be promoting dates in markets including
Cleveland, Denver, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Louisville.
“As a promoter and marketer of live entertainment for more than 25 years, I've had the privilege and
opportunity to witness a number ground-breaking performances and attractions. Anúna was one of
those magical evenings,” commented Live Nation Senior Vice President, Barry Gabel. “Anúna is truly an unforgettable
live experience, a vocal tour de force that is ready to win over American audiences. We are pleased to be presenting them in
several U.S. cities.”
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