Michael McDonald's Hallmark Gold Crown(R) Stores' Holiday CD 'Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album' Reaches Gold Within Two Weeks of Release

Michael McDonald's Hallmark Gold Crown(R) Stores' Holiday CD 'Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album' Reaches Gold Within Two Weeks of Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Hallmark announced today that Michael McDonald's "Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album," has gone Gold. The ten-track album reached Gold status (500,000 copies sold) two weeks after its release and a full week before Thanksgiving, a holiday that is acknowledged to kick off Christmas shopping. The announcement was made by Ann Herrick, integrated marketing manager at Hallmark.

Hallmark is the only specialty retailer to have achieved Platinum and Gold certification of their CDs, sold only at their retail outlets. Hallmark CDs are sold exclusively by more than 4,000 Hallmark Gold Crown(R) stores and are available for a limited time. Each CD has a focused, seasonal or event theme.

Hallmark has offered holiday music since the mid 1980s with such recording artists as Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Olivia Newton-John, Natalie Cole and Tony Bennett, among others. Last year's "James Taylor: A Christmas Album," was certified Platinum just 44 days after its release. It was followed by Martina McBride's 2005 Hallmark Valentine's Day CD, certified Gold in nine days.

"Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album" includes songs selected and recorded by Michael for this special album. The title track is a new holiday classic co-written by Michael and his wife, Amy Holland. The album features a unique and diverse selection of songs, capturing the special ways in which people around the world celebrate the holiday season.

"Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album" is priced at $7.95 with each purchase of three Hallmark cards. Customers can visit hallmark.com or call 1-800-HALLMARK to find a Gold Crown store in their area.

About Michael McDonald:

Michael McDonald's distinctive voice and unique singing style helped launch him into international fame soon after he joined the Doobie Brothers in the late 1970s. Among their many Grammy-Award winning, Platinum and Gold hits are McDonald's "What A Fool Believes," "Taking It To The Streets," and "Minute By Minute." During his decades-long career with the Doobie Brothers, as a solo artist, in live performances and recordings with other noted artists including James Ingram and Patti LaBelle, McDonald earned a stellar reputation for what is often called his "Blue-Eyed Soul" delivery of new and classic songs. His renditions of Motown hits recently earned him his first Platinum record as a solo artist and two additional Grammy nominations.

About Hallmark Cards, Inc.:

Kansas City-based Hallmark is known throughout the world for its greeting cards, related personal expression products, and television's most honored and enduring dramatic series, the Hallmark Hall of Fame. The company's Hallmark Entertainment, Inc. subsidiary is the world's leading producer and distributor of movies and miniseries made for television; its Binney & Smith subsidiary, maker of Crayola(R) crayons and markers, is the leading producer of art materials for children and students. Through licensing leadership and joint ventures, Hallmark continues to expand its product formats and distribution avenues. The company publishes products in more than 30 languages and distributes them in more than 100 countries through a multi-national strategy. In 2004, Hallmark reported consolidated net revenues of $4.4 billion.

About the Hallmark Gold Crown(R) Store Network:

The Hallmark Gold Crown(R) network of stores stands for excellence in specialty store retailing and is the premiere channel of distribution for Hallmark-branded products. More than 4,000 Hallmark Gold Crown stores can be found nationwide, most of them independently owned and operated. A Hallmark Gold Crown store is the specialty retail environment preferred by consumers who seek a comfortable shopping atmosphere, a higher level of customer service, and an extensive selection of greeting cards, gifts and other personal expression products. For the nearest Hallmark Gold Crown store, call 1-800-HALLMARK or use the store locator on Hallmark.com.

About Hallmark Music:

Hallmark has offered holiday music since the mid-1980s. In addition, 32 everyday titles are available in Hallmark stores, including artists such as Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong.

Source: Hallmark

CONTACT: Ronnie Lippin, Ronnie@lippingroup.com , or Jeanne O'Keefe,
JOKeefe@lippingroup.com , both of The Lippin Group, +1-323-965-1990, or Eileen
Gaffen of Hallmark Cards, Inc., +1-816-274-4673, egaffe2@hallmark.com

Web site: http://www.hallmark.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Because "Hallmark Gold Crown(R)" is a distinct specialty retail network, these stores should be referred to as "Hallmark Gold Crown stores" (not "Hallmark stores") in print and electronic coverage. Hallmark Press Room - http://pressroom.hallmark.com

-------
Profile: intent