Starbuck & XM Expand Partnership To CD’s

CelebrityAccess MediaWire – XM Satellite Radio and Starbucks Hear Music will further expand their relationship with the launch of a new proprietary series of multi-artist music compilation CDs. Co-produced by XM and Hear Music, the debut CD in the series, Hear Music XM Radio Sessions, Vol. 1, features newly recorded, never-before-heard tracks from both established and emerging artists. The CD will be available exclusively at Starbucks Company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada and online at http://www.starbucks.com/hearmusic beginning August 3.

The CD features new, alternate recordings of two original songs apiece from Tracy Chapman, Jewel and Jason Mraz. In addition, all three singer-songwriters contribute a cover song to the album with Chapman interpreting the Ben E. King classic "Stand By Me," Jewel updating Nina Simone’s "The Other Woman" and Mraz taking on Bjork’s "Unravel." The disc also offers two songs apiece from up-and-coming WEA artists James Blunt and the John Butler Trio.

Each compilation in the series will feature exclusive tracks culled from special sessions with a revolving roster of established and emerging artists across a wide range of genres. The project is reflective of XM and Starbucks Hear Music’s commitment to supporting emerging artists and more deeply exploring the work of established acts.

"The debut of our first CD, co-produced with our partner Starbucks and their Hear Music group, is a significant milestone for the XM-Starbucks relationship," said XM Satellite Radio President and CEO Hugh Panero. "The Hear Music XM Radio Sessions CD series offers consumers another way to experience XM’s great music content, further extends the XM brand and provides additional revenue opportunities."

"With this new CD series, we are realizing the potential of our alliance with XM Satellite Radio to create compelling, exclusive content for Starbucks customers," said Ken Lombard, president, Starbucks Entertainment. "We look forward to continuing to collaborate with XM, the leading satellite radio provider, to help transform the way music fans discover and acquire music."

The debut CD in the series, Hear Music XM Radio Sessions Vol. 1, is being offered for $14.95 in the U.S. and $18.95 in Canada.

The Hear Music XM Radio Sessions CD series is the latest project in a comprehensive content and marketing alliance between XM Satellite Radio and Starbucks. In October 2004, XM launched Hear Music (XM Channel 75), one of 67 commercial-free XM music channels. The Hear Music channel exposes XM subscribers to a wide range of new and established artists across a variety of music genres, including artists from the diverse Hear Music catalog. XM programming from the Hear Music channel can be heard in more than 4,600 Starbucks Company-operated locations in the U.S.

Hear Music XM Radio Sessions, Vol. 1 Track Listing:

1. Give Me One Reason — Tracy Chapman
2. Baby Can I Hold You — Tracy Chapman
3. Stand By Me — Tracy Chapman
4. Intuition — Jewel
5. Louisa and Her Blue Guitar — Jewel
6. The Other Woman — Jewel
7. Unravel — Jason Mraz
8. The Boy’s Gone — Jason Mraz
9. Plain Jane — Jason Mraz
10. Peaches & Cream — John Butler Trio
11. Zebra — John Butler Trio
12. High — James Blunt
13. Wisemen — James Blunt

by Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen