NBA All-Star Dwight Howard Launches Debut Album 'Shoot For The Stars'

NEW YORK and ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- He shoots! He scores...a record contract!  NBA All-Star, Orlando Magic center, Olympic Gold Medalist and humanitarian, Dwight Howard, can add one more credit to his growing list of accomplishments — recording artist.  On October 26th, Dwight Howard will release his debut album, Shoot For The Stars from Razor & Tie / KIDZ BOP. The full-length CD lineup includes MVP worthy recordings of popular arena anthems and classic hits, plus the original song, "Shoot For The Stars," which encourages his young fans to pursue their dreams.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100929/NY73069 )

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On Shoot For The Stars, Dwight is backed by his All-Star Band, featuring some of the industry's most talented musicians and session players, including Grammy winner Luis Conte (Eric Clapton, Santana), Abraham Laboriel (Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles), Leland Sklar (James Taylor, Phil Collins) and Tim Pierce (Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson).  Also accompanying Dwight on the album is a group of talented young kids who sing backup vocals on each song. Special guests, the KIDZ BOP Kids, join Dwight on Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There." A portion of the proceeds from sales of Dwight's album will go to benefit the BETA Center (www.betacenter.org), the Orlando, FL based organization whose mission is to provide children and parents with the knowledge and support needed for strong and healthy families.

Shoot For The Stars was produced by Latin Grammy nominated producer, Loren Harriet, who also helmed former New York Yankee star Bernie Williams' two critically acclaimed albums.

"This record is a dream come true for me in so many ways," says Howard.  "Recording this album for me ranks with being the first pick in the NBA draft, my first NBA All-Star game and winning a gold medal at the Olympics.  Razor & Tie and KIDZ BOP have been incredible and I hope everyone enjoys the album as much as I did recording it."

Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam, Co-Founders of Razor & Tie and KIDZ BOP, added, "Dwight Howard is one of the best players in the NBA, but it's his positive attitude, exuberance and sportsmanship both on and off the court that make him a real All-Star. Razor & Tie is proud to be releasing his debut album that we believe perfectly captures his humor and heart.  We think that Shoot For The Stars will be a slam dunk hit with kids and fans."

Hoop there it is! From Bob Marley to the Black Eyed Peas and MC (Hammer) to MJ, basketball's Superman brings his larger-than-life personality and voice to some of the NBA's most popular stadium staples. Dwight works his "magic" to add his own take on fan favorites such as "Whoomp (Hoop) There It Is" and "U Can't Touch This (Howard Time)" where he does pitch-perfect impersonations of his friends Charles Barkley, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Orlando Magic coach, Stan Van Gundy. Each of the record's 11 songs features background vocals from several of the music industry's top kid performers.  

Shoot For The Stars track listing:

1. Let's Get It Started
2. All Star
3. ABC
4. Will You Be There
5. U Can't Touch This (Howard Time)
6. Shout
7. Day-O
8. Get The Party Started
9. Jammin'
10. Whoomp (Hoop) There It Is
11. Shoot For The Stars

About Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is the Orlando Magic and NBA's franchise giant who is best known as Superman.  Although only a ripe age of 24, the 6'11 Atlanta, Georgian has managed to fit a career's worth of basketball achievement into six professional seasons. He has amazingly and consistently averaged a double double of points and rebounds since his rookie season, accumulating 23 20-and-20 outings and once a pinnacle 32 points 25 rebounds and 10 blocks (largest stat line in 20 years). He's reigned as the Defensive Player of The Year over the previous two seasons (youngest ever to lead the NBA in rebounding and blocks). Despite his age, Dwight even stands as an international ambassador for today's Association –– off court, he constantly tours the globe in efforts to lengthen the League's benevolent reach while on court he helped return USA to Olympic glory in Beijing as a prestigious member of 2008's Gold Medal earning "Redeem Team."  For more information visit Dwight at www.dwighthoward.com.

About Razor & Tie

New York-based Razor & Tie is one of the fastest growing independent music companies in the United States. In its 20 years, the label has garnered both Platinum sales and Grammy awards, and continues to expand a diverse and acclaimed roster that includes such artists as Dave Barnes, Angelique Kidjo, The Summer Set, Andy McKee, All That Remains, Dead Confederate, Norma Jean, and the newly-signed Nicole Atkins. For more information visit www.razorandtie.com.

ABOUT KIDZ BOP LLC

KIDZ BOP is the most popular and recognized music product in the U.S. for kids aged 5-12, featuring today's most popular songs, sung by kids for kids.  KIDZ BOP celebrates the unique, authentic voice of kids across the entire brand — through music, videos, live appearances, licensed merchandise and its popular social networking and content sharing website, KIDZBOP.com. KIDZ BOP CD titles have earned one Platinum® and nine Gold® certifications since their debut in 2001. This fall, KIDZ BOP has partnered with Macy's for a national back-to-school promotion where the KIDZ BOP Kids star in the retailer's national TV ad campaign. Macy's promotional details can be found at www.macys.com/kidzbop. The company is also home to the national KIDZ Star USA Talent Search, where talented kids can upload videos of themselves singing to KidzStarUSA.com to compete for a chance to win a recording contract. KIDZ BOP LLC is a division of New York-based independent entertainment company Razor & Tie Entertainment.

About the BETA Center

With more than 32 years of experience, BETA Center focuses on parenting, teen moms and at-risk families.  The agency offers a wide range of services to support children and families, increase healthy family functioning and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Additional information and artwork can be found at: http://www.razorandtiepublicity.com/artistpage.php?artist=227

SOURCE Razor & Tie