Seth MacFarlane is Better Than Words on EPIX

NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- EPIX, the premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service will take subscribers back in time with the Seth MacFarlane (concert) musical experience this fall. Premiering September 24th on EPIX and EpixHD.com, the sold-out live performance of his upcoming album Music is Better than Words was shot with special guest Sara Bareilles at the ultra-hip Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

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The Emmy Award-winning, multitalented MacFarlane, known for creating "Family Guy," pulls out all the stops to duplicate the atmosphere in which Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, flourished. His new album is a crisp sounding orchestral/big band record that features MacFarlane singing some of the hidden musical gems of the '40s and '50s.  Introducing this rich sound and classic integrity to a new audience, the album features duets with beloved artists Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles, and was arranged, conducted, and produced by accomplished film and television composer Joel McNeely, who conducted the orchestra at the event. In the live performance, MacFarlane utilizes multi-track audio for HDTV and transports himself and viewers to the era with the help of Grammy nominated singer, Sara Bareilles.

MacFarlane has been a fan of music from this era for as long as he can remember, and has even trained with vocal coaches Lee, Sally, and Steve Sweetland. Lee and Sally coached many great singers throughout their careers, including Frank Sinatra.  MacFarlane has featured countless musical numbers on his television shows, and has garnered multiple Emmy nominations as well as a win for Outstanding Music and Lyrics on "Family Guy."

In a performance the Los Angeles Times calls "suave, punching, a pleasure to hear," MacFarlane and his 39-piece all-star orchestra give new life to a selection of hand-picked pieces from the Great American Songbook from the 1940s through 60s. Revisiting the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, MacFarlane also treats audiences to some overlooked songs.

Recorded at the legendary Capitol Records, the album was made with MacFarlane singing live in the same room as the orchestra, just as they did in 50's.  Additionally, Frank Sinatra's original microphone, nicknamed "The Frank," was used to record the album. All songs were recorded to analog tape, to match the warm sound of the historic records of that era.

While some fans may not know this side of MacFarlane, the producer, writer, director and voiceover actor is no stranger to the singing stage. MacFarlane's voice has been celebrated for its perfect phrasing, richness, and consistency.  He is an experienced live performer, having played to sold out audiences at London's Royal Albert Hall and New York's Carnegie Hall.

"Seth MacFarlane's talent is far reaching," said EPIX President and CEO Mark Greenberg. "The Family Guy Facebook page has over 35 million fans on Facebook and he has almost a million Twitter followers. He knows how to connect with people through writing, acting, comedy and now singing."

EPIX has developed a respected platform for award-winning performers with past musical events including, Usher: OMG, Madonna: Sticky & Sweet, Kings of Leon: Live at the O2, Bon Jovi: The Circle Tour: Live from New Jersey and The Black Eyed Peas: The E.N.D. World Tour 2010.

About EPIX

EPIX, a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), is a next-generation premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand and online service launched on October 30, 2009. With access to more than 15,000 motion pictures spanning the vast libraries of its partners and other studios, EPIX provides a powerful entertainment experience with more feature films on demand and online and more HD movies than any other service.  It is the only premium service providing its entire monthly line-up of new Hollywood titles, classic feature films, original series, music and comedy specials through the linear channel, video-on-demand and online at EpixHD.com, the leading online destination for movies. EPIX has made the commitment to deliver the industry's most expansive online collection of movies, making more than 3,000 titles available on EpixHD.com.  The service is available to over 30 million homes nationwide through distribution partners including Charter Communications, Cox Communications, DISH Network, Mediacom Communications, NCTC, Suddenlink Communications and Verizon FiOS.  

For more information about EPIX, go to www.EpixHD.com.

About Seth MacFarlane:

Seth MacFarlane is the creative force behind “Family Guy,” “American Dad!,” “The Cleveland Show” and the upcoming “The Flintstones” and “Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey.”  “Family Guy” has garnered four Emmys and seven Emmy nominations, including one in the Outstanding Comedy Series category.  MacFarlane is in post-production on his directorial feature film debut, TED, which stars Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and MacFarlane as the voice of Ted.  His debut orchestral/big band album, Music is Better than Words, will be released on September 27th, 2011.

SOURCE EPIX