JIM BRICKMAN TOASTS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH ‘HOMECOMING’ SEPTEMBER 25th, ON SLG

First single ‘Coming Home for Christmas’ Features Collaboration
With Lonestar Vocalist Richie McDonald

The magnetism of the year-end holidays goes hand in hand with the tinsel-textured musical output that has long defined composer and producer Jim Brickman. Among the platinum-selling pianist’s greatest gifts are his seasonal albums: “The Gift” in 1997, Grammy-nominated “Peace” in 2003, and hymn-laden “Grace” in 2005, in addition to his 2006 Target-exclusive “Christmas Romance.”

On September 25, 2007, Brickman will release his most diverse holiday collection yet, “Homecoming” on SLG Records, an inspired triptych of original compositions and instrumental covers that promises to toast the seasonal embers.

Since 1994 debut album, “No Words,” Brickman’s signature romantic style has made him a marquis among contemporary instrumental hit makers, selling six Gold and Platinum albums, and delivering three No. 1 and 12 Top 10 adult contemporary radio hits. Among his numerous accolades are a Grammy nod for “Peace”, SESAC Songwriter of the Year award, and gospel Dove Award for “The Gift.” He has had consistent No. 1 debuts on Billboard Magazine’s New Age Albums chart and two No. 1s on Top Kid Audio.

Brickman has also collaborated on numerous vocal events with the likes of Martina McBride, Olivia Newton-John, Michael W. Smith, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Dave Koz and Sara Evans, fostering crossover success on the country, Christian, contemporary jazz and smooth jazz singles charts.

“Homecoming,” his 16th CD overall, differs from previous seasonal albums in that it is quieter and more organic, he says. “The tone is spiritual. Songwriters reflect on what’s going on in the world and I think this album is cognizant of that.”

Two new compositions with vocals are showcased: First single “Coming Home for Christmas” features the warm, familiar vocals of Lonestar lead Richie McDonald (“Amazed,” “I’m Already There”) in an emotional ballad the pair wrote with Victoria Shaw, which offers the lyrical sentiment, “When I think of you, I think of home/If I could make this plane go any faster, I’d be standing right outside your door.”

“We were talking about how so often we’re on the road at Christmas-time and the wonderful feeling of knowing that people are expecting you at home, whether your grandmother, your parents or your spouse, and all of the things they do to get ready for you: ‘hang the mistletoe by the fire’s glow, put the angel on the tree, light a candle in the window’,” Brickman notes.

The second vocal collaboration, title track “My Angel,” a duet with the late Gerald Levert, who went to Shaker Heights High School in suburban Cleveland, OH as did Brickman. The two previously worked together on “My Angel,” a track from 2006 album “My Escape.”

“I had always wanted to work with Gerald because we are such an unexpected duo; we come from the same neighborhood, the same school and background and yet his audiences, because our musical paths, fell into different categories,” Brickman says.

Unfortunately, Levert died in November 2006 at age 40, leaving “My Angel” his final vocal recording. Brickman says, “Gerald was so much fun to work with, such a feeling man, always happy and laughing. Everything he did seemed to exude the joy of living and communicating through the music he dedicated his life to.”

The album also contains three original instrumental tracks, “Thanksgiving” and “Gathering” feature simply piano and strings, which conjures a fall family get togethers; and “Bethlehem,” a gentle, reflective hymnal.

Instrumental covers include “I Heard the Bells,” featuring Anne Cochran on vocals and Peter White on jazz guitar, “Joy” with David Klinkenberg on solo violin, and piano renditions of British carols “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “I Saw Three Ships,” “Silent Night,” album finale “Ole Lang Syne” and “Good King Wenceslas," an instrumental take on the age-old Christmas carol.

Overall, the crafting of instrumental Christmas classics comes by ear, he says, “just the way I hear them. I don’t use sheet music or create an arrangement. Whatever comes to mind turns out to be the arrangement. As your career develops, especially as a songwriter, you develop a style that hopefully sounds like you. My wish is that when people hear my ‘Brickmanized’ versions of these songs, they know it’s me because it has my soul in it.”

As usual, Brickman will unwrap his latest melodic gifts with a robust holiday season tour, beginning Nov. 23 through the new year, with nearly three dozen dates confirmed.

Jim Brickman, Home for the Holidays

website: www.jimbrickman.com.