PRESS RELEASE

 
Entertainment/Red Carpet Awards Event + Live Concert Announcing the 2011 Annual Malibu Music Awards & Festival, September 24th Honoring Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy and SAG Award Nominated Actress/Singer Lainie Kazan, Frank Stallone, Robert Davi, and Many Celebrities

The 2011 Malibu Music Awards together with Honorary Chair Linda Thompson, invite you to join them and the Malibu Community VIP’s & Celebrities on Saturday September 24, 2011 at 7:30 PM for the 2011Annual Malibu Music Awards & Festival in celebration of the success, achievements and accomplishments of those who have made a significant contribution to the music industry and the discovery of emerging new talent and upcoming stars. The Malibu Music Awards & Festival benefits the Malibu Symphony Association 501c3 and children’s music programs and community music efforts, with a portion of the proceeds donated to The UCLA Simms/Mann Center for Integrative Oncology in recognition of the upcoming October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Some of the past Malibu Music Award recipients include, Dick Van Dyke, Albert Lee, Kenny G, Colbie Caillat, Tom Petty, Pink, Grace Slick, Tanya Tucker, Joel Diamond, Johnny Mandel, Lee Ritenour, and Mort Lindsey. In his acceptance speech last year, Mr. Dick Van Dyke, recognized the importance of Malibu Community events like the Malibu Music Awards.

The 2011 Malibu Music Awards & Festival participants and recipients include, Lainie Kazan “Lifetime Achievement Award”, Frank Stallone “American Songbook Award”, The BackBeats from NBC’s The Sing Off “Best Vocal Group”, Cimorelli “The Jackson 5 Family Music Award”, Shwayze and Cisco Adler “Urban Music Award”, Robert Davi “Best New Male Vocalist Award”, Linda Thompson “Honorary Chair”, Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe “World Music Award”, Mike Pinera “Legendary Rocker Award:”, Abraham McDonald “Inspirational R&B”, Trevor McShane “Folk Pop Award”, 11 year old Benjamin Krasner “Classical Music Award”, Camryn Kohn “Emily Shane Music & Dance Award, Julia Holland “Music Educator of the Year Award”, Peter Torsiello “Worship Music Award”, Chris Amodeo “Best Upcoming Artist Award” along with Celebrity Presenters, such as award winning actors  Vincent Spano, Renee Taylor & Joe Bologna, American Idol’s Vocal Coach Peggi Blu, Music Producer/Songwriter Ted Perlman, American Idol finalists & Malibu Residents, Hannah Mulholland & Carson Higgins, & other VIP’s including singer and TV star Rebecca Holden (Knightrider), Japanese Recording artist/actress Genevieve Mariko Wilson and others. The “Community Service Award” will be presented to Koss Real Estate in appreciation for their hosting of the event annually. The memory of Jeff Conaway will be honored at the 2011 Malibu Music Awards, with a special tribute to his music career, which began on Broadway, with the original Production of the Musical “Grease”.

Every year, the Malibu Music Awards hosts an Original Songwriting Competition by Sonic Bids. The winner receives a one year recording contract and distribution deal with Arrival Records that could lead to a longer term if both parties mutually agree, and a recording session at Great Music Studio. Sarah McMullen is the 2011 Malibu Music Awards Sonic Bids Original Song Competition Winner. 12 other winners were announced in various categories, including Best Country Song won by local Malibu resident Eileen Renee. The competition was judged by Music Producer Joel Diamond, Music Producer and Malibu Music Awards Founder Terence J. Davis, Rick Rand, CEO Arrival Records, Marie Foti Malibu Music Awards Producer, Meg Hanson Universal A&R, Chris Henry- (Nashville), Heath Caan (Live Nation), Jenna Voorhees Universal, Vince Quintero former Sony AR, Kevin Carson EMI, and more.
The Malibu Music Festival will begin Monday September 19 through Friday September 23 at local restaurants in Malibu introducing new talent to the community, in addition to known guest appearances. A map will be available at local businesses which includes a complete list of all participating restaurants, such as Geoffrey’s, Charlie’s, Dukes, Malibu Inn, Sunset Restaurant & Beach Bar, Kristy’s, Moonshadows, Spruzzo’s, Savory, Guido’s, Beau Rivage, Grom, Café Habana, Paradise Cove, Chocolate Box Cafe, Tra di Noi, and Malibu Country Mart, indicating the dates, times and locations of festival activities.

The Malibu Music Festival will also include a Classical Music Concert on Wednesday Sept 21 at 7:30pm at the Malibu Stage Company 29243 PCH, Hosted by American Idol’s Vocal Coach, Peggi Blu and Producer/Musician/Songwriter Ted Perlman, featuring piano players Robert Estrin, and 11 year old prodigy Benjamin Krasner. Opening the concert will be Cimorelli, who will perform a short set as a prelude to their “Jackson 5 Family Music Award” acceptance performance at the Malibu Music Awards Saturday Night.

The Malibu Music Festival ends with Celebrity Judge Joel Diamond announcing the festival winner at the Malibu Music Awards event Saturday evening September 24, 2011 at the Malibu Country Mart 3835 Cross Creek Road Malibu 90265 "http://www.malibucountrymart.com/" http://www.malibucountrymart.com/ . 

Sponsors for the 2011 Malibu Music Awards include FLORA, Jaguar of Thousand Oaks, Verizon, Sonic Bids, MBSC, BW Baker Insurance Services, Malibu Country Inn, Autohaus West.
The producers thank all of the generous Sponsors, Festival Hosts, Talented Award Recipients and Presenters, and all of the VIP’s, Celebrities, Special Guests, and Malibu Residents for their ongoing support of this important community event.

Media and Press Contact: Edward Lozzi & Associates PR"mailto:epl@lozzipr.com
epl@lozzipr.com
Malibu Music Awards & Festival Final Awards Event
Saturday September 24, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Malibu Country Mart

3835 Cross Creek Road Malibu 90265  http://www.malibucountrymart.com" http://www.malibucountrymart.com
Tickets for public to the 2011 Malibu Music Awards can be purchased at: www.malibumusicawards.com
For further information call 310-871-4199

Ticket Prices for publication are: $25. General admission: $45 VIP seating
Available tickets will also be sold at the Door.

Some brief descriptions of 2011 Malibu Music Award Recipients and VIP’s include:
Honorary Chair Linda Thompson together with David Foster became lyricist for some of his music, most notably "No Explanation" for the 1990 film, Pretty Woman and "I Have Nothing” sung by Whitney Houston in the 1992 motion picture, The Bodyguard, for which they were nominated both the Academy Award for Best Song in 1993 and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television in 1994. Thompson and Foster shared the 2003 Emmy for Outstanding Music and Lyrics for "Aren't They All Our Children" for the "The Concert for World Children's Day (2002 television). In addition to her Emmy win, Thompson has also won a BMI Film & TV Award in 1994 for Most Performed Song from a Film ("I Have Nothing"), composed by Thompson and David Foster, from the soundtrack for The Bodyguard and shared Special Recognition Awards in 1997 and 2004 with several others for work related to the Olympics. In 2002 she was awarded Women in Film Crystal's Humanitarian Awards and in 2007 she shared TV Land's Entertainer's Award with the rest of the cast of Hee Haw for their work on that show.

“Lifetime Achievement Award” winner actress, singer, Lainie Kazan is honored for her ongoing contributions to the music industry with her illustrious, invincible voice and her incredible grace and charm. Lainie made her Broadway debut in 1961 and served as an understudy to Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl”, appearing on stage after 18 months, and after her mother alerted the press and she received rave reviews, she set out to establish her singing career and accomplished that and more. She has performed in numerous plays, television shows, and films and continues to sing on concert stages in Las Vegas and Atlantic City showrooms. Audiences cannot get enough of her beautiful voice. She has won Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, and SAG Award nominations.

Joel Diamond, 40 year Music Producer, Manager, Songwriter, who has recorded with every artist from Gloria Gaynor to Engelbert Humperdinck, dominated social network campaigns and won internet competitions to replace Simon Cowell as the next American Idol Judge last year. He won the “StarMaker Visionary Award” at the 2010 Malibu Music Awards and will join Terence J. Davis and his team as Celebrity Judge for the Malibu Music Award Original Song Competition sponsored by SonicBids.
Considered one of the most versatile singers of our time, Frank Stallone will be honored with the “American Songbook Award” at the 2011 Malibu Music Awards.  His numerous accolades include, nominations for a Grammy and a Golden Globe, 7 Billboard top 100 songs, and he was considered for an Academy Award for both an original song & performance in the same year.  He has original songs in 11 films, including the number one hit "Far From Over" from “Staying Alive” and "Take it Back" from "Rocky".  He has performed on dozens of Television Shows such as David Letterman and Regis, and major venues throughout the world.  Considered one of the most versatile singers of our time, Frank's music presents an unmatched talent range, of Pop, Classic American Songbook, Acoustic Original Ballads, Rock, and even Country.  Tony Bennett said, "Frank Stallone's 'In Love In Vain' is a knockout. It's the kind of singing that I love to hear and be around".  And Sammy Cahn remarked, "...matching great singing with great songs...resulted in an amazingly marvelous album...I just think it's one of the best."  And Billy May said, "Recording 'Frankie & Billy' with Frank Stallone, I felt the same excitement that I got in 1958 from another Frank (Sinatra), or in 1953 from Nat King Cole...it was a great honor to have worked with him".  Frank continues to tour regularly, performing to ‘Standing Room Only” crowds.  He loves to write songs and perform, and fortunately, for his abundance of loyal fans, who travel to see him over and over again, he claims he will never stop.  

The "Jackson 5 Family Music Award” will be presented to Cimorelli, winners of Best of Sacramento Editors Pick Award of 2009 whom Sacramento Magazine called "the best family performing group since The Jackson 5.” Cimorelli, a group of six harmonizing sisters ranging in age from 11 to 21, posted an acappella YouTube video in 2009, and now have over 70,000,000 YouTube upload views, with more than 275,000 subscribers. They performed last year at KIIS–FM’s Wango Tango and recently earned a spot on Billboard's Social 50 Music Chart.  Fans cannot get enough of Cimorelli and Cimorelli can’t get enough of performing for them.  Although they are recording their first album of original music and are still in school, Cimorelli frequently finds the time to participate in community efforts.  They have performed for the Boys and Girls Club Malibu Teen Center fundraisers, sing in a local choir, and recently participated in the Malibu Navy Days BBQ, entertaining the men and women who serve our country with a performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”  They made their red carpet debut at the Malibu Music Awards last year when Cimorelli was asked to present the "Star Maker Visionary Award" to Joel Diamond, and after harmonizing congratulations to him, left everyone wishing for more.  Malibu Music Award guests will finally have their wishes granted as Cimorelli, once again, walks the Red Carpet and performs at the 2011 Malibu Music Awards, receiving an award of their own this time.

“Best New Male Vocalist Award” honor will be presented to Robert Davi, an American actor and singer who has played such roles as Vietnam veteran and Special Agent Johnson in "Die Hard", the villainous Jake Fratelli in  "The Goonies", and Al Torres in  "Showgirls". However, Davi is perhaps best known for playing drug lord "Franz Sanchez" in the 1989  "James Bond" film  "Licence to Kill" as well as Agent Baily Malone in the NBC television series "Profiler (TV series)". Classically trained as a singer, Davi launched his singing career in 2011 performing "Frank Sinatra" classics. His new CD, "Davi Sings Sinatra on the Road to Romance" is scheduled to be released in October 24, 2011.

“Legendary Rocker Award” winner Mike Pinera and the groups he was with have collectively sold over one hundred million copies. Famously known for his hit “Ride Captain Ride”, he has been recording, producing and touring non-stop since 1969. He performs for millions of people each year at festivals, fairs, arenas, corporate events and stadiums. Mike Pinera is an American guitarist who started professionally in the late 1960s with the group Blues Image, which had a #4 hit in 1970 with their song “Ride Captain Ride”. After the breakup of that group, he joined Iron Butterfly, and later formed the group Ramatam. Pinera was then the founding member of the band New Cactus, a later incarnation of the band Cactus. He was the guitarist for Alice Cooper from 1980-1983. He is currently performing with the Classic Rock All Stars. Pinera and the band Renegade appear together in the television special "Renegade Live @ The House of Blues", which was filmed before a sold out audience at the Hollywood House of Blues.

Winning the “Best Vocal Group Award” are eight “20-something’s” from competing collegiate ensembles from around the country, who formed the “Backbeats” A Capella Group and Placed 3rd on NBC’s “The Sing Off”. The Backbeats are one of the newest groups to hit the a cappella scene. Assembled from members of competing collegiate ensembles, these twenty-something’s from around the country are quickly developing a new sound. With diverse experience in songwriting, musical theater, business, and film, each performer brings their own talent and fresh perspective to this super group. Their unique voices blend together to create a stirring, rich, and soulful sound that is undeniably their own. The Backbeats deliver commanding lead vocals, luscious harmonies, and electrifying vocal percussion, but their true strength lies in their commitment to sincere and passionate performance. It is this commitment that has led each member to join together for a group that is far greater than the sum of its parts.

Receiving the “World Music Award”, Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe desire to wake, shake and create a vibration-raising revolution with their edgy blend of mantra-infused rock.  Fronted by LA Music Award’s “Singer/Songwriter of the Year” Larisa Stow, their music is an East meets West fusion of English and Sanskrit. Blending and bending the boundaries of “East meets West” with a fusion of English, Sanskrit, world rhythms, rap & rock, Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe are here to wake, shake & create a vibration-raising revolution. Hitting the road in two SUVs packed with people, gear and merch for 80-100 shows a year, these road warriors are committed to creating community wherever they go and venues vary from festivals, amphitheaters, retreat centers, churches, yoga studios to bars. Larisa and her band Shakti Tribe are not just a musical act, they are at the forefront of the next wave in our culture—much the same way hip-hop with Russell Simmons or heavy metal with Led Zeppelin became their own cultural movements.  Their recent release “Rock On Sat Nam!” which translated means “Live a Truthful Life,” has been declared an exquisitely crafted masterpiece and a breakthrough in combining genres by radio, reviewers and industry pros alike.

“Urban Music Award” winners Shwayze and Cisco Adler released their 3rd CD together this month. The duo have had multiple songs on the Billboard Hot 100, and were the focus of a reality television series on HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV" MTV titled "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzzin%27_%28TV_series%29" Buzzin', which debuted on July 23, 2008. The self-titled Shwayze, ushered the unlikely duo to unlikely heights. A string of multiple hits (“Buzzin”, “Corona and Lime”) fueled by millions of Internet plays carried them to top ten album sales, landed them a coveted slot on the Vans Warped Tour, and turned them into reality television stars on MTV. In a wound-up world, Shwayze was a life-lesson in laid back lassitude, a coast-to-coast call to make every day a lazy day.

“Inspirational R&B Award” winner Abraham ‘A.B.' McDonald, whose debut single "Miracle" jumped to #17-bullet on the Urban AC chart, was named the Artist to watch for by Essence Magazine. The Article was titled, 10 reasons to Love Abraham McDonald. Abraham McDonald has been on Oprah 5 times and has been touring the world on his Love Music is Back Tour. Last stop was Israel Tel Aviv. His personality and stage presence makes him a crowd favorite. He is currently recording another album as well as a Christmas Project.

11 Year old, Benjamin Krasner will be honored with the 2011 “Classical Music Award” and will perform at the Malibu Symphony Association, Classical Music concert during the Malibu Music Festival Wednesday September 21, 2011 at the Malibu Stage Company. His honors include Passion of Music 2008 youngest laureate in international Young Musician Competition, Lincoln Center, NY, Long Beach Mozart Festival youngest Laureate 37 Annual Piano Competition, and 1st place National PTA reflection program, USA, Festival of contemporary Music Winner, Los Angeles, and Helen Brown Music Competition Winner LA.

The “Folk Pop Award”, will be received by Trevor McShane, a talented, intelligent group that debuted in 2000. The group has consistently recorded original songs on a multitude of CD’s, film creative, artistic videos, and perform to crowds who come back to see them over and over. Successful Entertainment Attorney Neville Johnson, who first began playing guitar at 18, when a friend taught him a few chords, debuted Trevor McShane in 2000, with the release of the first album, First Love, Last Love. Twenty recordings later, the group provides great tunes in a variety of styles, including pop, rock, folkie and even jazz.

Honored with the “Worship Music Award” is Peter Torsiello, Music Director at Our Lady of Malibu for over 19 years, and contemporary music director for St Paul the Apostle church. Peter enjoys writing original songs which he directs his choirs to perform. Oregon Catholic Press has published his original Catholic compositions. His original song, “Make Straight the Path”, is the official theme song for “Catholics in Media Associates (CIMA)”. His creative, contemporary musical arrangements attract parishioners of all denominations, with ‘standing room only crowds’ at Our Lady of Malibu and St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood’s 5pm Sunday Mass, keeping the weekend worship alive and thriving.

Malibu Music Awards Presenter, Vincent Spano began his career at age 14 on Broadway, then first wowed fans in his younger days in films like Baby, It’s You, Francis Coppola's Rumblefish, and Creator with Peter O'Toole. As his career progressed, Vincent alternated between quality studio, independent and foreign films, including City of Hope, Alive, Oscar, Indian Summer, Good Morning, Babylon and Blood Ties (for which he was nominated for cable's ACE Award. In recent years, he has directed award winning short films, continued to develop feature film projects he will direct/produce, has launched his Voice Over career (currently doing GMC) and has made memorable appearances on Law and Order: SVU as FBI Special Agent, Dean Porter. He has also been enjoying working over in Italy on a couple of award winning, beautifully produced mini-series' that consistently and overwhelmingly win their time slot on Italian TV, including the role of mafia monster Rodolfo di Venanzio in Honor & Respect.

Husband & Wife Team Presenters, Renee Taylor & Joseph Bologna, co-wrote the Broadway hit comedy Lovers and Other Strangers, and received Oscar nominations for having written the 1970 film adaptation. In 1971, the couple co-wrote and starred in the film Made for Each Other. Their screenplay received a nomination for the Writers Guild of American Award for Best Comedy.Taylor is most often recognized for her standout role in The Nanny, in which she played Sylvia, the overbearing mother of thirty-something Fran Fine (Fran Drescher), who is determined to live to see her daughter get married. Her character is intent on finding Fran a husband and has a passionate love for food. Joseph Bologna, made a guest appearance on The Nanny as an egocentric actor named Allan Beck, who tormented Maxwell Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy); and, in the final season, Bologna again guest-starred on the series, playing an admirer of Sylvia in the episode "Maternal Affairs".

Husband & Wife team Peggi Blu and Ted Perlman.  Award winning singer, songwriter, producer Peggi Blu, will Host the Malibu Music Festival Classical Music Concert Wednesday Sept 21.  She recently appeared on FOX Television working as a vocal coach on TV’s #1 show “American Idol”. Her appearance was so sensational that press from around the world were calling her the ‘new Simon Cowell’, as well as the name Nigel Lythgoe, American Idol Producer, gave her - “The Vocal Coach from Hell” and the followed up with "I love her, she SAVED MY SHOW". Fans from around the world commented that ‘Peggi should get her own show’, ‘she should be the new judge’, and that ‘she was the most exciting thing to happen to IDOL this year’.   Ted Perlman, Grammy Award winner for Best Pop Instrumental Album co-produced and performed all of the music for Burt Bacharach, and won Bests Album and Song of the Year with ValLimar. Producer/Songwriter/Musician, Ted Perlman is working with many artists including, Alessandra Rosaldo and Roberto Enrique, produced and co-wrote his wife's last CD "Livin On Love, and together they arranged all of the music for her 1986 Grand Champion Female Vocalist win on Star Search, and produced CD's for Bobby Vinton, Dave Mason, The Manhattans.  He is currently in production with Gloria Loring and working on his own CD.