New Animal Planet Special, Trail MIX, to Feature Rob Thomas, Leann Rimes and Joe Perry

New Animal Planet Special, Trail MIX, to Feature Rob Thomas, Leann Rimes and Joe Perry

- Two-Hour Special Highlights Top Singers and Their Bond with Horses -

SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Animal Planet today announced the initial singer line-up for its new special, Trail MIX, which premieres Sunday, January 29, 2006; 8 - 10 PM (ET/PT). The eclectic mix of top performing musical artists featured include former Matchbox Twenty front-man and now solo recording artist Rob Thomas; two-time Grammy winner and cross- over country music sweetheart LeAnn Rimes; solo recording artist and legendary lead guitarist of the rock super band, Aerosmith, Joe Perry; Grammy winner and country music singer/song-writer Mary Chapin Carpenter; and world-renowned Irish tenor Ronan Tynan. Two additional singers will be named at a later date. The program is hosted by concert and recording artist and Broadway sensation, Linda Eder, who is also co-creator and co-executive producer. Eder's latest album, "By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland," was released on October 4.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050726/ANIMALPLANET ) (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051010/DCM015 )

Shot in high definition, Trail MIX highlights the special bond that some of today's top musicians have with horses. Host Linda Eder, a passionate equestrian and singer herself, goes on location with each artist and presents fascinating stories about the emotional connection between the musicians and their horses. From rock stars to pop singers to opera virtuosos, these world famous artists reveal a rarely seen side as they talk about their passion, explain how horses rejuvenate their art and share their most compelling stories about the horses they have known. Each interview culminates in a one- of-a-kind music video featuring a montage of exclusive footage and outtakes of the singers and their horses.

Trail MIX is directed by Brian Lockwood. Among his credits, Lockwood has directed concerts and music videos for popular artists including Linkin Park, Elton John, Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton and Papa Roach. Doug Wilson, former executive producer of Politically Incorrect and various programs for VH-1, will produce. For Animal Planet, Jamie Roberts and Maureen Smith are executive producers.

Animal Planet, available in more than 87 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals. The network's original programming brings together people of all ages by tapping into a fundamental fascination with animals and providing an entertaining mix of programming, including original movies, adventure series, sports, drama and sitcoms. Discovery Networks, U.S., a unit of Discovery Communications, Inc., operates and manages Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery HD Theater, Discovery Kids Channel, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Discovery Home Channel, The Military Channel, Discovery en Espanol and FitTV. The unit also distributes BBC AMERICA.

Photo: HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: ftp://dgphotoscontact@ftp.discovery.com/P-050901 Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050726/ANIMALPLANET http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051010/DCM015 AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN5 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Animal Planet

CONTACT: Tim DeClaire of Animal Planet, +1-240-662-2932, or tim_declaire@discovery.com

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/

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