Video: Hard Rock's 2007 Ambassadors of Rock Tour Is 'On The Road Again' with Music Legend Willie Nelson

Video: Hard Rock's 2007 Ambassadors of Rock Tour Is 'On The Road Again' with Music Legend Willie Nelson

Ambassadors of Rock in New York Features Willie Nelson & Friends, Including Hosts Woody Harrelson and Daryl Hannah

Event to Launch The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock International is bringing its global Ambassadors of Rock Tour to the "crossroads of the world" with an "outlaw country" twist. Known for his amazing string of hits, legendary artist Willie Nelson and friends will bring an unforgettable night of music to Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square on Monday, September 10, 2007. Dedicated to its "Save the Planet" motto, Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock in New York will also act as the official launch of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, a non-profit organization founded by Willie's wife Annie Nelson, biodiesel advocate Daryl Hannah and members of the sustainable biodiesel community, to promote sustainable biodiesel practices, including the harvesting, production and distribution of biodiesel fuels. Hard Rock's September 10th event will make every effort to be eco-friendly, and "do the right thing," including an offering of food from family farms, using recycled materials for invitations and marketing materials, and more. The exclusive V.I.P. event, benefiting the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, will be hosted by award-winning actors Woody Harrelson and Daryl Hannah, and will include a green carpet, featuring special appearances by several of Nelson's closest friends and family. That evening, Willie will also be joined his sons' band, 40 Points, and his daughter's band, Folk Uke, for a special live performance.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/hardrock/29443/.

"Some of the biggest names in music have become part of our Ambassadors of Rock program over the last two years -- from The Who and Motley Crue to Aerosmith, The All-American Rejects and P!NK. We are thrilled that Willie Nelson joins the exclusive list of Hard Rock 'Ambassadors,'" said Sean Dee, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Hard Rock International. "We are also proud to support Willie's Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and take action as a company towards a cleaner, greener Earth."

As a songwriter and performer, Nelson has won Grammy(R) Awards, a President's Merit Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. His credits include "Georgia On My Mind," "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys," "On The Road Again," "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Stay A Little Longer." More importantly, his work with important global charities, including Farm Aid and recently the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, has generated millions of dollars and worldwide exposure for worthwhile causes. The day before his Hard Rock appearance, Willie will also be performing at Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival at Randall's Island in New York City, alongside several other musicians and supporters of the cause.

Save The Planet!

Committed to its "Save the Planet" motto, Hard Rock is partnering with Willie Nelson to create an environmentally-friendly event -- no easy task for a location in Times Square. Efforts include locally grown and organic food from family farms and recycling the event decor. In lieu of gift bags, which can lead to more waste, Hard Rock will make a donation to the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance on behalf of each guest in attendance that evening. In addition, moving forward, New York-based Tri State Biodiesel will collect waste grease from Hard Rock Cafe New York to be recycled into clean, renewable Biodiesel fuel, in order to fuel up vehicles on the road -- like Willie Nelson's famous tour bus!

"Hard Rock is exploring all possible sustainable innovations for this event, from renewable energy use to waste reduction and responsible purchasing," said Corina Beczner, green event specialist for the project. "Hard Rock's dedication to the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance is a great start, and supporting local, family farms and clean energy solutions through this event further demonstrates the brand's commitment and integrity in saving the planet."

Rockin' for a Great Cause. . .and a Chance for Fans to Attend this Amazing Event!

As part of Ambassadors of Rock in New York, Hard Rock will host an online auction to directly benefit the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance. Fans will be able to visit www.hardrock.com to bid on:

   -- Two pairs of tickets to Ambassadors of Rock event in New York on      September 10th to see Willie Nelson and friends perform. The winning      bid gets two tickets to the event, and unless you know someone in      Willie's camp. . .this is the only way to be part of this memorable      night!      (Dates of auction: August 22, 2007 through September 2, 2007)   -- A custom-made Hard Rock Ambassadors of Rock Gibson guitar, autographed      by Willie Nelson and friends at Ambassadors of Rock in New York. The      highest bidder will receive the Willie Nelson-autographed Ambassadors      of Rock guitar, along with photo documentation of Willie and friends      signing the guitar at the event.      (Dates of auction: September 26, 2007 through October 7, 2007)    Making Rock History!  

In addition to an unforgettable performance, Willie Nelson will also donate pieces of memorabilia to Hard Rock. Following the concert, Willie will donate his stage clothes from the event, including his signature red bandana and custom-made New Balance(R) "Willie Nelson" sneakers, which will be permanently added to Hard Rock's world-famous memorabilia collection.

Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock Tour

For the second year, Ambassadors of Rock will bring together Hard Rock Cafes, Live venues, Hotels and Casinos around the globe to help spread the universal language of rock. Nelson, one of the country's most iconic music stars, joins an eclectic group of artists on Hard Rock's 2007 Ambassadors of Rock Tour, including Aerosmith, Peter Gabriel and Crowded House in London; All-American Rejects in Orlando co-sponsored by Pepsi Smash; and P!NK at the Dubai tour stop. Additional artists will be announced with events scheduled for Hollywood (Fla.), Las Vegas, Tokyo, Caracas, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Singapore and Madrid.

About The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance

The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, Inc. ("SBA") is a non-profit organization created to promote sustainable biodiesel practices, including the harvesting, production and distribution of biodiesel fuels. The ultimate goal is to create best practices standards and protocols for verifying that all points in the production and distribution chain are in compliance with the SBA's certification standards. Those receiving SBA certification will be supported by the SBA through on-going education campaigns that will include outreach programs and maps identifying the locations of the production and distribution points. For further information, please visit www.sustainablebiodieselalliance.com.

About Farm Aid

Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival will take place on Sunday, September 9 at Randall's Island in New York City. The day-long festival will promote food from family farmers and raise funds for Farm Aid's work throughout the year to strengthen family farm agriculture. The show will feature great talent from a variety of musical genres, including Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews, joined by Tim Reynolds, as well as Gregg Allman, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Supersuckers and Montgomery Gentry. Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds and The Allman Brothers Band are scheduled to play full festival sets.

About Hard Rock International

With 123 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and eight Hotels/Casinos in 46 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, Pattaya and Bali, with San Diego scheduled to open later in 2007. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Palm Springs and Macau, scheduled to open in 2009. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.

Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/hardrock/29443

Source: Hard Rock International, Coyne PR

CONTACT: Brian Siemienas, Hard Rock International, +1-407-445-7625; John
Gogarty and Meredith Miesieski, both of Coyne PR, +1-973-316-1665

Web site: http://www.hardrock.com/
http://www.sustainablebiodieselalliance.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment