SPECIAL OLYMPICS JOINS CLEAR CHANNEL MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT & IHEARTRADIO TO LAUNCH ITS 2012 HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN

IHEARTRADIO INTRODUCES NEW DIGITAL CHRISTMAS STATION, “A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS RADIO,” CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE ICONIC ALBUM SERIES

The SPECIAL OLYMPICS, an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport for people with intellectual disabilities, and CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNITIES™, the community engagement brand of CLEAR CHANNEL MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT and iHeartRadio, announced the launch of a multi-platform campaign commemorating 25 years of the “A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS” ALBUM SERIES, the single most successful benefit recording series in musical history, which has generated more than $109 million in royalties to support Special Olympics.

Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio digital radio platform has launched an exclusive digital radio station that features the entire collection of “A Very Special Christmas” supporting Special Olympics. (PRNewsFoto/Special Olympics)

It was also announced today that Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio digital radio platform is launching an exclusive digital radio station that features the entire collection of “A Very Special Christmas,” with songs by U2, MADONNA, STING, BON JOVI, REBA MCENTIRE, ALAN JACKSON, WYCLEF JEAN, SHERYL CROW, MARY J. BLIGE, NO DOUBT, ERIC CLAPTON, TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS, VANESSA WILLIAMS, BRYAN ADAMS and more, all of whom have contributed to previous albums. The station will also include all-new songs from this year’s two-album releases, A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS “25^TH ANNIVERSARY “JOY TO THE WORLD” on Big Machine Records & A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS “BRINGING PEACE ON EARTH” on Word Records.

THE RECORDING ACADEMY® ANNOUNCES 2013 GRAMMY HALL OF FAME® INDUCTEES

2013 MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE GRAMMY HALL OF FAME; 27 RECORDINGS ADDED TO COLLECTION RESIDING AT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM®

Continuing the tradition of preserving and celebrating great recordings, THE RECORDING ACADEMY® has announced the newest additions to its legendary GRAMMY HALL OF FAME® COLLECTION. This latest round of inducted recordings helps celebrate 40 years of highlighting diversity and recording excellence, and acknowledges both singles and album recordings of all genres at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance. Recordings are reviewed annually by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by THE RECORDING ACADEMY‘s NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES. With 27 new titles, the list currently totals 933 and is on display at the GRAMMY Museum® at L.A. LIVE.

The Recording Academy Logo. (PRNewsFoto/The Recording Academy)

“With the GRAMMY HALL OF FAME celebrating 40 years, it’s especially important to note that these entries continue the tradition of inducting a wide variety of recordings that have inspired and influenced both fans and music makers for generations,” said NEIL PORTNOW, PRESIDENT/CEO OF THE RECORDING ACADEMY. “Memorable for being both culturally and historically significant, we are proud to add them to our growing catalog of outstanding recordings that have become part of our musical, social, and cultural history.”