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TOP MUSICIANS JOIN RONDI CHARLESTON TO RECORD OBAMA ANTHEM POWER BALLAD –‘SONG FOR THE AGES’

Written To Commemorate Barack Obama’s Historic Election, Song Includes Bassist James Genus of the “Saturday Night Live” band, Drummer Clarence Penn, Billboard-Charting Jazz Pianist Lynne Arriale & Others

Los Angeles, CA, Friday, January 9, 2009 –Several of the nation’s top musicians have joined singer Rondi Charleston to record “Song for the Ages,” an anthem power ballad written by Charleston to commemorate Barack Obama’s historic election to become the 44th President of the United States. In its January 8th show, “Entertainment Tonight” previewed the tune as part of its Inauguration coverage.

A supporter of Barack Obama’s since he launched his presidential campaign, Charleston penned the tune over the course of a few nights after being inspired by Obama’s election night acceptance speech in Grant Park, located near her former home town of Hyde Park, Chicago. With references to Abraham Lincoln and a celebration of ‘faith and hope for what’s to come,’ Charleston says, “I wanted to write an anthem that would both reflect our nation’s history and project our collective hope for the future. My wish is that “Song for the Ages” has a part in motivating others to continue the momentum of unity that Barack has inspired.” In its January 8th show, “Entertainment Tonight” previewed the tune as part of its Inauguration coverage. James Genus, the current bass player in the “Saturday Night Live” band whose birthday falls on Inauguration day says, “I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of this project and I think Rondi was really able to deliver a strong theme of unity with the recording of this song.” Other musicians who played on the track include Pete Levin/synthesizers, who’s worked with Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, Vanessa Williams; Dave Stryker/guitar, who’s worked with Stanley Turrentine, Kevin Mahogany and Clarence Penn/drums, who’s played with Wynton Marsalis, Roberta Flack and Dianne Reeves.

Suzi Reynolds, who has worked with Ella Fitzgerald, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and George Benson produced the track and over the course of one afternoon, brought together some of the most respected and experienced musicians in the world of pop, rock and jazz to complete the song. Reynolds, whose previous producing credits include projects by Teri Thornton and Rufus Reid also brought in jazz pianist Lynne Arriale, who arranged and co-wrote “Song for the Ages.”

“Song for the Ages” will be offered up for radio airplay leading up to the Inauguration festivities and beyond, but will also be made available for purchase on iTunes. Song lyrics, music, broadcast-quality recording session footage and hi-res JPEGs are available upon request.

Charleston, a Juilliard graduate who was also a former Emmy award-winning journalist who worked alongside Diane Sawyer at ABC’s “Primetime Live,” is set to release the full version of her In My Life CD/DVD set in April and will support the release with a full tour schedule in the U.S. For more information and performance updates, visit RondiCharleston. com



Media Contact: Jeanne O’Keefe The Lippin Group/L.A.
323-965-1990 ext.
344 JOKeefe@LippinGroup.com

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