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Peter Nero and the Philly Pops Announce 3-CD Recording Contract with DRG Records
09/24/03

PETER NERO AND THE PHILLY POPS
ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE RECORDING
CONTRACT WITH DRG RECORDS

DEBUT CD HOLIDAY POPS!
FEATURES ACCLAIMED VOCALIST
ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY
NATIONWIDE RELEASE � OCTOBER 7

PETER NERO AND THE PHILLY POPS celebrates its 25th Anniversary season with the announcement of a major recording contract. The exclusive agreement will put their debut CD Holiday POPS! under an exclusive licensing and distribution deal with DRG Records, a leading producer of pop, jazz and Broadway recordings, and additionally record two new CDs. Peter Nero, music director of the Philly Pops and Steven Haines, President and CEO of The Philly Pops, serve as co-executive producers for the disc.

Holiday POPS! includes a variety of holiday season favorites performed with Peter Nero�s lyrical and inventive piano style and the extraordinary musicianship of The Philly Pops. Mr. Nero has written original arrangements for many of the songs. The CD also features the acclaimed singer Ann Hampton Callaway and will be released in stores nationwide on October 7.

Peter Nero, commenting about the recording of Holiday POPS! said �this is one of the most rewarding projects I�ve worked on. This is the first full length CD of The Philly Pops and it truly captures the dynamic versatility of these great players. The final product even made me say �wow� when I first heard the playbacks.� The POPS� new recording contract is an almost unprecedented achievement for an orchestra. "The POPS continues to grow in reputation and accomplishments,� says Mr. Haines. �Our new relationship with DRG Records moves us forward towards reaching a larger, national audience." DRG Records President Hugh Fordin comments, �I am thrilled to be working with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. They are one of the best orchestras in the country and, joined by the accomplished career of Peter Nero as a solo artist, make an unbeatable combination. I very much look forward to our future projects together.� Henry Fogel, President and CEO of the American Symphony Orchestra League, added �Peter Nero and The Philly Pops has long been one of our country�s musical success stories � they�ve even been in the black in the past two years during a difficult economic climate. It is great news that they are now able to announce the signing of a three-disc recording contract with DRG. In this era of declining recording work for American orchestras it is encouraging to see new recording activity happen.�

PETER NERO AND THE PHILLY POPS celebrates 25 years of entertaining Philadelphia audiences and begins its third season as a resident company at Verizon Hall in The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Peter Nero is renowned for his impressive career as a Pops conductor, pianist, recording artist, arranger and composer. He has been awarded two Grammy Awards with a total of 10 nominations; Holiday POPS! marks his 67th recording and the first with The Philly Pops. Peter Nero and the Philly Pops is presented by Encore Series, Inc., a non-profit organization enriching the cultural life of Philadelphia through the performing arts. For more information about the organization and its 25th anniversary season, call (215) 546-6400 or visit online at www.phillypops.com.