Photo: Borders Has Exclusive on Aretha Franklin's First Ever Christmas Album - 'This Christmas Aretha'

Photo: Borders Has Exclusive on Aretha Franklin's First Ever Christmas Album - 'This Christmas Aretha'

'Queen of Soul' performs classic and contemporary holiday songs on DMI

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- It may be difficult to believe, but during an illustrious career spanning more than four decades, Aretha Franklin has never recorded a holiday album. . .until now. The undisputed "Queen of Soul" has at last brought her distinctive and soulful sound to an 11-track holiday CD titled "This Christmas Aretha," which goes on sale beginning Oct. 14 exclusively at Borders, Waldenbooks and Borders.com. The recording, produced by Tena Clark and Aretha Franklin, for DMI Records, features classic and contemporary songs infused with Aretha Franklin's trademark gospel, soul, R&B and classical styles.

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"We are ecstatic and deeply honored to be the only place customers will be able to buy Aretha Franklin's very first Christmas album," said Borders Group Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing Rob Gruen. "With a career that has spanned generations and a completely unique sound, she has ardent fans of all ages and is constantly attracting new devotees. Aretha Franklin is a national treasure and we expect fans and music collectors to flock to this title because she has been missing from our holiday celebrations for far too long! We are thrilled to unite with the great label DMI to help bring the artistry of Aretha Franklin to so many people at this special time of year," he said.

"I am delighted and so excited that my new and first-ever Christmas album is going to be released October 14 through Borders exclusively," said Ms. Franklin. "I know that I am in good hands as I have been a customer of Borders for many years, and my family as well. I think my fans and the general audience are in for a wonderful surprise with this holiday album. Enjoy it, be blessed and happy holiday season and New Year to you."

"Aretha Franklin is a living legend who makes an impact on fans worldwide with every performance and every album," said Tena Clark, the founder of DMI Records. "Borders has an outstanding brand and we are delighted to team up with them to launch an album that is a 'must have' addition to the collections of all Aretha Franklin fans and is sure to become a holiday favorite in households for years to come."

Tracks include: "Angels We Have Heard on High," "This Christmas," "My Grown-Up Christmas List," "The Lord Will Make A Way," "Silent Night," "Ave Maria," "Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without The One You Love)," "14 Angels," "One Night With The King," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and "'Twas The Night Before Christmas."

"This Christmas Aretha" is available for pre-order now on Borders.com at www.borders.com/aretha and in Borders and Waldenbooks stores. Beginning Oct. 14, the CD will be sold only at Borders and Waldenbooks stores and on Borders.com.

About Aretha Franklin

Known around the world by her first name, Aretha Franklin has achieved global recognition on an unprecedented scale. She is one of the most influential and important voices in the history of pop music. Her ever-distinctive, soulful, to-the-bone vocal style has graced music charts for over four decades and her live performances have touched the hearts of tens of millions since she began her musical journey in Detroit as a singing child prodigy. Aretha Franklin has earned countless international and national awards as well as accolades and global recognition on an unprecedented scale including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Kennedy Center Honor, the American National Medal of the Arts Award, 18 GRAMMY(R) Awards including Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for eight consecutive years, a GRAMMY Legend Award, a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, and five American Music Awards. In 1987, she was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1979, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Earlier this year, she was named 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy and she was presented with the prestigious NAACP Vanguard Award.

About DMI Records

Aretha Franklin joins a growing list of major artists who are collaborating with DMI for upcoming projects. Founded by Tena Clark, one of the first female record producers in the music industry, DMI is home to a talented roster of music and marketing executives. Clark and Franklin are producing "This Christmas Aretha" together. DMI Records is a division of the leading music and branding agency DMI Music & Media Solutions.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE:BGP) , is a leading retailer of books, music and movies with more than 28,000 employees. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates more than 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names and recently launched Borders.com for online shopping. For more information, visit www.borders.com/aboutus.

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Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080925/NY35096 Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/borders/34962/

Source: Borders

CONTACT: Anne Roman of Borders, +1-734-477-1392; or Gwendolyn Quinn, for
Ms. Franklin, +1-212-765-7910; or Maureen O'Connor, For DMI Records,
+1-310-854-8116

Web Site: http://www.borders.com/aboutus

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Profile: International Entertainment