December 16, 2001, New York, NY- MuchMusic USA, the nations only viewer-driven all-music network, today surprised the throngs of holiday shoppers and commuters with a live concert in Grand Central Terminal featuring two-time Grammy Award winner Melissa Etheridge. This special event was filmed as an exclusive concert for MuchMusic USA and will air nationally on December 25, 2001 at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on the cable network.
In the New York area, MuchMusic USA can be found on Cablevision channel 73 and on TimeWarner cable systems on digital channel 132.
“I am honored to be here in New York City, performing live in Grand Central for one of the most vibrant audiences in the world,” said Melissa Etheridge. “MuchMusic USA has done a wonderful thing here today by bringing music to the people of New York City and giving me the opportunity to play in this magnificent city and during such a wonderful time of year.”
Etheridge performed at the New York landmark at 1:30 p.m. today – one of the heaviest holiday shopping days of the year – with a rocking 60-minute set in the East Balcony of Grand Central Terminal. Playing guitar and piano, she performed songs that included some of her best known hits such as “Come To My Window,” “Bring Me Some Water,” “Chrome Plated Heart,” “I Want To Be In Love” and her new hit single “Lover Please” from her recently released album, SKIN.
“Melissa is the true definition of a rock star, but to fully appreciate her work you need to see her live,” said Norman Schoenfeld, vice president of programming for MuchMusic USA. “New Yorkers deserve a little fun this holiday season and MuchMusic has always been about connecting music fans with the artists they love. We were happy that we could make that happen today and look forward to more concerts in the coming months.”
The “Melissa Etheridge Live at Grand Central” show is one of several new exclusive concert events MuchMusic USA is debuting this December. Other concert events premiering this month include: “Shoutback with Luis Fonsi,” premiering on December 23 at 7:00 PM ET; “Class Dismissed 2001 with Alanis Morissette,” premiering on December 27 at 9:00 PM ET; and recently aired “Busta’s Hip Hop Lounge International Down In New York Dressed to Impress” with rap artist Busta Rhymes.
Starting December 25th through mid-January, Melissa Etheridge fans can visit www.mmusa.tv for more information about the artist and register to win a free autographed copy of her new album, SKIN.
About MuchMusic USA
MuchMusic USA is the only independent music network, featuring music videos and live concerts in an all-music-all-the-time format. The channel features viewer influenced and generated music programming. On MuchMusic USA, viewers voice their opinions, influence what’s on the air, participate in discovering new music and even create music video programming to air on the network. For more information about MuchMusic USA, please visit our Web site at www.mmusa.tv.
About Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.
A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) and NBC, Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. manages Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, American Movie Classics, We: Women’s Entertainment, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports, News 12 Networks and MetroChannels as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. In addition, Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in Fox Sports Net. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20 percent stake in four of Rainbow’s national networks – AMC, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel and WE: Women’s Entertainment.
A new series of Cablevision common stock – Rainbow Media Group tracking stock (NYSE:RMG) — began trading on the NYSE on March 30 2001. The assets that comprise Rainbow Media Group tracking stock include: American Movie Classics, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, WE: Women’s Entertainment, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow’s interest in the national service FOX Sports Net, Rainbow’s five regional sports channels outside of the New York market, and Rainbow Network Communications.
About Melissa Etheridge
Blues-rock musician and activist Melissa Etheridge released her self-titled debut album in 1988, which featured the hits songs “Like The Way I Do” and “Bring Me Some Water.” Her 1992 album, NEVER ENOUGH, won the rocker a Grammy Award for the track “Ain’t It Heavy.” The next year, Etheridge released YES I AM, featuring “Come To My Window,” which earned her a second Grammy, and “I’m The Only One.” YOUR LITTLE SECRET AND BREAKDOWN followed in 1995 and 1999, respectively. Etheridge’s newest album, SKIN was released this summer, as well as her autobiography THE TRUTH IS … Recently Etheridge toured the United States and Canada with her sold out show “live and alone.” The formidable star uses fame to her advantage by tirelessly fighting for various causes. She headlined the first all-women Rock for Choice show, has worked with The Human Rights Campaign and is an outspoken advocate for various gay and lesbian organizations. Last year, in addition to helping to produce the event, Etheridge performed at Equality Rocks, a concert to embrace diversity and equality. Along with her two Grammy wins, Etheridge was honored with the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award in 1996 and more recently, she won the 2001 Orville H. Gibson Guitar Award for best female rock guitarist.
Contact:
Matthew Frankel
Rainbow Media
516-695-3541
mdfrankel@rainbow-media.com
Jocelyn Johnson
Sloane & Company
212-446-1867
jjohnson@sloanepr.com