Historic Motown Label Celebrated on Muve Music

USA - English

• Latin America - español

SAN DIEGO, June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cricket Communications announced its celebration of the Motown sound by bringing the music of Motown's founding artists to Muve Music.  Legendary artists such as Duke Fakir of the Four Tops, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, and Otis Williams of the Temptations, as well as later Motown artists including JoJo of the Mary Jane Girls, will have their music specially featured on Muve Music along with offering special commentary that expresses their personal connection to the music label they helped to create as well as the impact of that music on today's music culture.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120202/LA46949LOGO)

Additionally, to generate excitement and educate new listeners about Motown's history during Black Music Month, Cricket will offer Motown trivia that highlights iconic artists and offers a snapshot of Motown history on its social media channels. Music fans who listen to Motown artists on Muve Music in June are entered to win a Motown box set featuring nearly 200 songs and a commemorative Motown award style wall plaque.

"It's invigorating to see a modern digital music service pay homage to Motown, one of the most important music labels in music history, and celebrate Black Music Month," said Otis Williams – founding member of The Temptations. "Much of the music that we hear today can be attributed to the paths blazed during the Motown era. Paying homage to that legacy should be recognized and celebrated."

"It is so interesting that one of the new, innovative music services is celebrating Black Music Month by featuring one of the most innovative music labels of all time, Motown, said JoJo -original member and lead singer of the Mary Jane Girls. "Pretty cool, I'd say."

An irresistible force of social and cultural change, Berry Gordy's legendary Motown Records made its mark not just on the music industry, but society at large, with a sound that became one of the most significant musical accomplishments and stunning success stories of the 20^th century. No other record company in history has exerted more of an influence on both the style and substance of popular music and culture. Motown, of course, stands for more than just the historic music. The label, and its remarkable legacy, is a reflection of the hard work of dedicated individuals overcoming incredible obstacles to achieve great success.

"Black Music Month is all about connecting the past to the present," said Mary Wilson – an original member of The Supremes. "It's about introducing the music of Motown to today's music generation.  Now people have the opportunity to discover some of the best music ever recorded - the music of Motown."

"Motown music was also very timely in civil rights," said Duke Fakir, original member of The Four Tops. "As Martin Luther King was marching and leading in his own way, Motown music was seeping into homes and giving people a chance to be introduced to Motown's artists by enjoying our music and seeing us on television. People started to look at us in a different way. We are very proud of being part of the cultural, social and civil rights change."

Here's how the features will be organized on the service and what artists and Motown trivia to look out for on @CricketNation in June:

Week of June 4^th:

• The Jackson 5, The Supremes, The Marvelettes

Week of June 11^th:

• Marvin Gaye, The Mary Jane Girls, Diana Ross

Week of June 18^th:

• Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Teena Marie, The Commodores

Week of June 25^th:

• Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Four Tops, Martha & The Vandellas, Rick James

For more information about Motown artists or Motown- The Musical, please visit http://classic.motown.com/ and www.motownthemusical.com.

Music fans can enter to win artwork and music from Motown. Download the latest album release, Motown - The Musical, and be automatically entered for a chance to win a Motown Prize Pack that includes:  

• Motown Award Style Wall Plaque
• Motown: The Complete No. 1's CD Box set featuring nearly 200 classic songs that were no. 1 around the world http://www.motownthemusical.com/

Here is how it works:

1. Go to the "MUVE MUSIC" icon on your home screen.
2. Press "GET MUSIC" and type "MOTOWN" in the search box.
3. Download and play the label's newest project, "Motown-The Musical".
4. Now you are officially entered into the sweepstakes.

The sweepstakes ends on Monday, June 17th! One winner will be notified via phone and/or text message. See Download to Win a Motown Prize Pack for complete sweepstakes rules & regulations.

Play Motown all month on Muve Music, and for the latest information about Cricket's Muve Music, mobile wireless news and featured artists, follow www.twitter.com/cricketnation and www.facebook.com/cricketwireless.

How to get Muve Music
Muve Music is included in Cricket's unlimited nationwide music, talk, text, and data rate plans[1] at no additional cost. Cricket offers Muve Music on a range of smartphones. Starting at $50 per month, Muve Music is included in Cricket's 3G or 4G LTE unlimited nationwide talk, text, and data plus music plans. Muve Monthly Artist Programs such as Muve Headliner, Muve First, Muve Spotlight and Muve Icon were designed to promote music discovery and new music from up-and-coming and established artists.

About Cricket
Cricket is the pioneer and leader in delivering innovative value-rich prepaid wireless services with no long-term contracts. Cricket offers nationwide wireless voice and mobile data services over high-quality, all-digital 4G LTE and 3G CDMA wireless networks. Cricket's innovative products and services, including the award-winning Muve Music^® - the first music service designed for a wireless phone, are available nationwide at Cricket branded retail stores, dealers, national retailers and at www.mycricket.com. For more information about Cricket, please visit www.mycricket.com.

[1] Muve Music^® is currently only available on select Cricket Android smartphones

SOURCE Cricket Communications, Inc.