July 29, 2008

Legendary Songstress Anne Murray to Mentor and Perform on Canadian Idol

-- The Top 5 to perform songs from the Anne Murray songbook August 18 on CTV --

She has sold more than 50 million albums and is one of Canada’s most enduring national treasures – and she’s coming to Canadian Idol. CTV announced tonight that multiple Grammy and JUNO Award winning singer Anne Murray will become the latest powerhouse mentor to share her considerable expertise and work with the Canadian Idol finalists as they perform selections from her legendary songbook on Monday, August 18 at 9 p.m. ET on CTV. Murray will then perform on the Canadian Idol results episode on Tuesday, August 19 at 8 p.m. ET when the remaining Top 4 are revealed (visit idol.CTV.ca to confirm local listings).

Murray joins an extensive list of accomplished musicians, including Bryan Adams, Tom Jones and Simple Plan, working with this season’s crop of Canadian Idol finalists. Tonight, former Bush front man Gavin Rossdale performed live on the program after mentoring the competitors for this weeks “Unplugged” episodes.

** Media Note ** – Photography and audio clips from Canadian Idol are available online at the Canadian Idol Media Centre at www.idolpix.ca.

Recognized worldwide, Anne Murray's signature voice has graced the airwaves for over 40 years. With a catalogue of hits, including, "A Little Good News", "You Needed Me", "Love Song", "Could I Have This Dance" and "Snowbird", Murray's career continues to be the benchmark for longevity and professionalism.

The EMI recording artist has garnered countless accolades, including four Grammy Awards, numerous Country Music Association Awards and a record number of JUNO Awards. Her latest CD, Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends, was certified Platinum in three weeks and double Platinum in six weeks. It was her highest album debut in over 20 years. Murray recently completed a highly successful "Coast to Coast - One Last Time" Canadian tour and plans are underway for the release of a special holiday album at the end of September.

“Anne Murray is an icon and one of television’s biggest draws,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “What a treat for both Canadian Idol’s audience and for the competitors who will have the opportunity to learn from a legend.”

“We have been trying to land Anne Murray for years and we are thrilled to finally have her join us,” said Executive Producer John Brunton. “She is a true Canadian superstar and it will be a tremendous honour to have her mentor this year’s finalists.”

Highlights from this week’s Canadian Idol are available now on demand on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca. As well, encore presentations of each week’s Performance and Results Episodes air back-to-back Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on MuchMoreMusic.

Canadian Idol is sponsored by Kraft, Pantene Pro-V, Gillette Venus Embrace, and Gillette Fusion Power.

Canadian Idol was created by Simon Fuller and is produced in association with CTV by Insight Productions. John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby are Executive Producers. Mark Lysakowski is Supervising Producer. Senior Producer is Sue Brophey. Jane Rimer is Executive Consultant for FremantleMedia. Ed Robinson is Executive Vice-President, Programming, CTV Inc. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.

FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FremantleMedia has production offices in over 20 countries worldwide, providing local sales and production support for its international TV brands such as Idols and the world’s longest running game show, The Price is Right.

The company’s licensing operation, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, exploits FremantleMedia’s many strong brands across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. Fremantle International Distribution, the company’s international distribution division licenses over 19,000 hours of programming to 150 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is the content arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. For further information please see FremantleMedia’s website www.fremantlemedia.com.

Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment is recognised as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful music based entertainment, or “entertainment brands”. The company has attracted a unique collection of expertise in people who work together to integrate and leverage activity across television, film, touring, merchandising, music publishing, recording, artist / writer and producer management, sponsorship and promotion. Simon Fuller is the most successful British music manager of all time having sold over 116 million CDs in North America alone, and is known as the creator of “American Idol”, the most valuable TV format in the world with an estimated value in excess of $2.5 billion.

CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast, CTV National News With Lloyd Robertson, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada's premier multi-media company which owns CTV Inc. and The Globe and Mail. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country, and leading national specialty channels. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

- CTV -

For more information:
Allie Page, CTV Inc., 416.332.4596 or apage@ctv.ca, or
Christy Sullivan, Canadian Idol, 416.526.3052 or chsullivan@ctv.ca

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