Disney's ALADDIN Special Edition 2-Disc DVD to be the Exclusive Sponsor for Clay Aiken's First Headlining Nationwide Tour
Thursday July 8, 4:17 pm ET
Concert to Preview Deleted Song 'Proud of Your Boy,' From Academy Award(R) Winning Songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, Which Debuts on DVD for the First Time October 5!
DisneyHand Helps Bubel/Aiken Foundation Make Wishes Come True
BURBANK, Calif., July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first-time-ever, Buena Vista Home Entertainment has become the title sponsor of a major concert tour, sponsoring multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken's first nationwide tour -- which begins today (July 8, 2004). The multi-platinum selling artist becomes part of Disney's animation legacy by singing "Proud of Your Boy," a lost gem from the Disney vault, from Academy Award® winning songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. The inspiring song, was originally intended for the ALADDIN film but cut when the ALADDIN storyline changed. Clay Aiken's rendition will be featured only on the DVD debut of Disney's animated classic ALADDIN (also on the VHS), both of which will be available as a SPECIAL EDITION, on October 5, 2004. Unavailable in any form for over ten years, the double Academy Award® winning ALADDIN is presented for the first time in a digital format, in a magical 2-Disc DVD set with a whole new world of bonus features. The sponsorship will also benefit the efforts of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation thanks to a donation from DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company. The 50-city summer tour is scheduled to open in Grand Fork, North Dakota on July 8 and conclude in Raleigh, North Carolina October 18.
"When Disney approached me to record this song," noted Aiken, "I was honored to have the chance to work with the incredible songwriter Alan Menken, pay tribute to his writing partner Howard Ashman and become part of the tremendous Disney songbook legacy."
"I love Clay Aiken's performance of 'Proud of Your Boy' and I was knocked out by the strength of his talent. To have this lost song, so dear to my heart and so vital to my collaboration with Howard Ashman, finally brought fully to life is a dream come true," said Alan Menken.
As the exclusive sponsor, Walt Disney Home Entertainment will participate in a variety of activities in key markets, geared toward raising awareness for the ALADDIN SPECIAL EDITION DVD release, Aiken's Summer tour, the charities and providing special offers for Aiken's fans. Among these activities are:
- Exclusive sneak previews of the "Proud of Your Boy" Music Video
- A special message about DisneyHand and Aiken's shared commitment to
children
- Cross-promotional website activities on both www.aladdindvd.com and
www.clayaiken.com;
The legendary Disney composer Alan Menken worked with both lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice on ALADDIN. Menken won the 1992 Academy Award® for ALADDIN for Best Original Score. Menken and Rice won the 1992 Best Music (Song) Oscar® for ALADDIN's inspiring song "A Whole New World." The outstanding musical contributions in the film include such beloved songs as the lively "Friend Like Me" and the upbeat "Prince Ali." Ashman and Menken also collaborated and won Oscars® for their work on the Disney classics "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid." Alan Menken holds eight Oscars® to date.
ALADDIN is Disney's spectacular version of the classic Arabian Nights fairy tale. Set in the mythical city of Agrabah, the story follows a street-smart teen, Aladdin, and his mischievous pet monkey, Abu. Aladdin falls in love with the free-spirited Princess Jasmine, despite a law that says she can only wed a royal suitor. His luck changes with one rub of the magic lamp, releasing the shape-shifting, fun-loving, wish-giving Genie, who turns Aladdin into a Prince. But the evil vizier, Jafar, and his wisecracking parrot, Iago, also crave the lamp's power. If Aladdin is to defeat them and win Jasmine's heart, he must learn to be himself -- with a little help from his big blue buddy, the Genie. The ALADDIN feature film is rated "G" by the MPAA.
Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.
Thursday July 8, 4:17 pm ET
Concert to Preview Deleted Song 'Proud of Your Boy,' From Academy Award(R) Winning Songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, Which Debuts on DVD for the First Time October 5!
DisneyHand Helps Bubel/Aiken Foundation Make Wishes Come True
BURBANK, Calif., July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first-time-ever, Buena Vista Home Entertainment has become the title sponsor of a major concert tour, sponsoring multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken's first nationwide tour -- which begins today (July 8, 2004). The multi-platinum selling artist becomes part of Disney's animation legacy by singing "Proud of Your Boy," a lost gem from the Disney vault, from Academy Award® winning songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. The inspiring song, was originally intended for the ALADDIN film but cut when the ALADDIN storyline changed. Clay Aiken's rendition will be featured only on the DVD debut of Disney's animated classic ALADDIN (also on the VHS), both of which will be available as a SPECIAL EDITION, on October 5, 2004. Unavailable in any form for over ten years, the double Academy Award® winning ALADDIN is presented for the first time in a digital format, in a magical 2-Disc DVD set with a whole new world of bonus features. The sponsorship will also benefit the efforts of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation thanks to a donation from DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company. The 50-city summer tour is scheduled to open in Grand Fork, North Dakota on July 8 and conclude in Raleigh, North Carolina October 18.
"When Disney approached me to record this song," noted Aiken, "I was honored to have the chance to work with the incredible songwriter Alan Menken, pay tribute to his writing partner Howard Ashman and become part of the tremendous Disney songbook legacy."
"I love Clay Aiken's performance of 'Proud of Your Boy' and I was knocked out by the strength of his talent. To have this lost song, so dear to my heart and so vital to my collaboration with Howard Ashman, finally brought fully to life is a dream come true," said Alan Menken.
As the exclusive sponsor, Walt Disney Home Entertainment will participate in a variety of activities in key markets, geared toward raising awareness for the ALADDIN SPECIAL EDITION DVD release, Aiken's Summer tour, the charities and providing special offers for Aiken's fans. Among these activities are:
- Exclusive sneak previews of the "Proud of Your Boy" Music Video
- A special message about DisneyHand and Aiken's shared commitment to
children
- Cross-promotional website activities on both www.aladdindvd.com and
www.clayaiken.com;
The legendary Disney composer Alan Menken worked with both lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice on ALADDIN. Menken won the 1992 Academy Award® for ALADDIN for Best Original Score. Menken and Rice won the 1992 Best Music (Song) Oscar® for ALADDIN's inspiring song "A Whole New World." The outstanding musical contributions in the film include such beloved songs as the lively "Friend Like Me" and the upbeat "Prince Ali." Ashman and Menken also collaborated and won Oscars® for their work on the Disney classics "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid." Alan Menken holds eight Oscars® to date.
ALADDIN is Disney's spectacular version of the classic Arabian Nights fairy tale. Set in the mythical city of Agrabah, the story follows a street-smart teen, Aladdin, and his mischievous pet monkey, Abu. Aladdin falls in love with the free-spirited Princess Jasmine, despite a law that says she can only wed a royal suitor. His luck changes with one rub of the magic lamp, releasing the shape-shifting, fun-loving, wish-giving Genie, who turns Aladdin into a Prince. But the evil vizier, Jafar, and his wisecracking parrot, Iago, also crave the lamp's power. If Aladdin is to defeat them and win Jasmine's heart, he must learn to be himself -- with a little help from his big blue buddy, the Genie. The ALADDIN feature film is rated "G" by the MPAA.
Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.
