Hard Rock's 2008 'Ambassadors of Rock Tour' Heads to Times Square With Special Performance by STAIND

Hard Rock's 2008 'Ambassadors of Rock Tour' Heads to Times Square With Special Performance by STAIND

STAIND To Launch Highly Anticipated New Album The Illusion of Progress August 19

ORLANDO, Fla., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 19th, Hard Rock International will bring its global Ambassadors of Rock Tour to the "crossroads of the world" with a special performance by multi-platinum rock band STAIND. The Times Square event will celebrate the worldwide release of STAIND's highly anticipated new album, The Illusion of Progress, which arrives in stores that same day. Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock concert will see STAIND playing an electrifying mix of chart-topping hits and fan favorites, including brand-new single "Believe." Dedicated to its "Love All, Serve All" motto, Hard Rock is also partnering with VH1 Save The Music to raise awareness and funds for this non-profit organization dedicated to serving elementary school children of all backgrounds and diversities.

"Some of the biggest names in music have become part of our Ambassadors of Rock program over the last three years -- from The Who, The Police and Eric Clapton, to Bon Jovi, Fergie and John Mayer. We are thrilled that STAIND joins the exclusive list of Hard Rock 'Ambassadors,'" said Sean Dee, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Hard Rock International. "We are also proud to partner with VH1 Save The Music and continue to show support for music education."

Over the course of the past decade, STAIND (vocalist/guitarist Aaron Lewis, guitarist Mike Mushok, drummer Jon Wysocki and bassist Johnny April) has sold more than 12 million records worldwide. Their last three studio albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Album Chart, making Staind one of the most successful rock bands of the new millennium. They've had four #1 singles that span three different radio formats, including two massive crossover singles, "It's Been Awhile" and "Right Here." "It's Been Awhile" spent 16 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart, making it the #1 most played rock record of 2002.

STAIND'S major label debut Dysfunction went double-platinum in 1999, and in the new millennium the band's Break The Cycle was certified 5x platinum, followed by the platinum succession of 14 Shades Of Grey in 2003, and Chapter V in 2005. In 2002, Elektra Records released a gold-certified MTV Unplugged; and in 2006 released The Singles: 1996-2006, the band's first-ever hits collection with a separate companion DVD Staind: The Videos.

New album The Illusion Of Progress includes the singles "Believe," "All I Want," "Lost Along The Way," "Tangled Up In You" and the politically charged anti-anthem "Rainy Day Parade." Staind is currently previewing select songs from the album during summer-long tours with 3 Doors Down and Nickelback. For more information, visit www.staind.com.

Making Rock History!

In addition to an unforgettable performance, Staind will also donate pieces of memorabilia, which will be permanently added to Hard Rock's world-famous collection.

Save The Planet!

Committed to its "Save the Planet" motto, Hard Rock will create an environmentally-friendly event -- no easy task for a location in Times Square. Hard Rock's August 19th event will make every effort to be eco-friendly, and "do the right thing," including offsetting power usage for the event by purchasing 94 TONS of CO2 offsets (purchased through NativeEnergy) in the Cascade Sierra Solutions (CSS) Truck Efficiency Project. CSS is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving fuel and reducing emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. Hard Rock is also working with Bette Midler's New York Park Restoration Project to plant 25 native trees in New York City, further offsetting carbon dioxide emissions, while also producing oxygen, helping to decrease noise pollution and improve water quality for the urban area.

Rockin' Around the Globe!

For the third consecutive year, Ambassadors of Rock will bring together Hard Rock Cafes, Live venues, Hotels and Casinos around the globe to help spread the universal language of rock. Staind joins an eclectic group of artists on Hard Rock's 2008 Ambassadors of Rock Tour, including Bon Jovi in Abu Dhabi, Muse in Buenos Aires, Godsmack and Alter Bridge in Orlando, Fergie in Hollywood, Fla. and Joe Satriani in Caracas, as well as an all-star lineup at Hard Rock Calling in London with Eric Clapton, The Police, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, KT Tunstall and Starsailor.

Pack Your Bags and Get A Passport!

Once again, as part of the global celebration, consumers will have the chance to live the life of a rock star, traveling the world to Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock concerts. Consumers will be able to enter the global sweepstakes via www.HardRock.com. For updated concert details and additional events, visit www.HardRock.com.

About VH1 Save The Music

Since 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has successfully restored and sustained instrumental music programs in 1,500 public schools in more than 100 cities across the country, including Memphis, Houston, Chicago, New York, Denver, Baltimore and Milwaukee. Over the past ten years, various artists and celebrities have shown their devotion to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation by partnering with the organization as they've reached out to struggling school districts across the country. Celebrities including Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Sting, Billy Joel, Kiefer Sutherland, John Legend, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, Jewel and many more have donated their time and efforts to the organization in attempts to raise awareness about the importance of music in a child's education.

To date, The Foundation has provided more than $40 million in new musical instruments, affecting the lives of more than 1 million children. For more information on the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, please visit http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/

About Hard Rock International

With 125 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and nine Hotels/Casinos in 48 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya and Bali. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau and Penang, both scheduled to open in 2009; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2010; and Dubai, scheduled to open in 2011. Hard Rock Park, located in Myrtle Beach, is the world's first rock 'n' roll theme park. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Hard Rock International

CONTACT: Brian Siemienas of Hard Rock International, +1-407-445-7625; or
Michael Moses of B|W|R Public Relations, +1-310-248-6171, mmoses@bwr-la.com,
for STAIND; or John Gogarty, or Meredith Miesieski, both of Coyne PR,
+1-973-316-1665; or Ashley White of Atlantic Records, +1-212-707-2050,
Ashley.White@atlanticrecords.com

Web Site: http://www.hardrock.com/
http://www.staind.com/
http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/

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