Paul Anka to Launch Paramount's Third Season

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

August 18, 2006

 Legendary vocalist and songwriter Paul Anka will launch The Paramount's 2006-07 season of performances when he performs for the theater's Opening Night, Wednesday, September 6, at 8 pm.   Special Media Sponsor for this event is WCAV CBS 19 Charlottesville.  

During his near five-decade career, Anka has transformed himself from '50s teen idol into superb vocal musician recognized around the world.  One of most successful pop songwriters in history, he has recorded 125 albums to date, and had 33 Top 40 Hits and three number one records.   Anka also has a staggering 900 songs -- such as "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," "My Way," "She’s a Lady," and "The Tonight Show Theme," -- to his credit, and is particularly well-known for penning signature songs for artists including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Jones, and Frank Sinatra.

Still, Anka's staunchest admirers may have been skeptical of his new album Rock Swings, featuring songs originally created and recorded by some of rock music's raunchiest bad boys.  However, he has long shown that when any musical concept appeals to him, he probes it to its limits -- even when that concept is big-band, crooner-style interpretations of songs by the likes of Nirvana, Van Halen, the Cure, Oasis, R.E.M., and Soundgarden.

"“This is not a novelty," Anka explains. "When people get past the smirk and the joke, they realize there's a great quality to this CD. They hear the quality of the musicianship, and the arrangements."  The project sprang from his idea to interpret music his five daughters -- Amelia, Anthea, Alicia, Amanda, and Alexandra -- grew up with.  "When you are a musician or a songwriter you dissect everything you hear," he says. "A good song is a good song."

Paul Anka's Opening Night performance at The Paramount will include plenty of good songs, with both classic Anka tunes and selections from Rock Swings.  Seats for the September 6 concert are $125, $75, $70, and $65.  In addition, a $500 patron ticket will grant the holder access to an exclusive post-show reception and the opportunity to meet Mr. Anka in person.  Tickets are available online or through The Paramount's Box Office at 434.979.1333.

 For more information about Paul Anka, please visit www.paulanka.com.