28 Sep 2005 : Greatest Hits + Breast Cancer Initiatives
Los Angeles, CA - It was announced today that Melissa Etheridge will release her Greatest Hits The Road Less Traveled CD on Tuesday, October 4th, as well as a CD/DVD Deluxe Edition of the same title on Tuesday, October 18th. The collection covers her seventeen-year career in seventeen dynamic songs, including hits like 'Come To My Window,' 'I Want To Come Over,' and 'Bring Me Some Water.' It also includes four new recordings: her simmering take on Tom Petty's 'Refugee'; a reprise of 'Piece Of My Heart,' which wowed the world in her stunning Grammy Awards show performance this past February; an emotional and heartfelt original song called 'This Is Not Goodbye'; and the brand-new 'I Run for Life,' an inspiring anthem for those who, like Etheridge, have had their lives impacted by breast cancer. The CD/DVD Deluxe Edition to be released on Tuesday, October 18th will feature a recent interview with her, TV performances, exclusive unseen footage, and bonus features.
Regarding the release of her Greatest Hits album, Etheridge says, 'I always thought that a greatest hits album was something to aspire to. When you got to the point in your career where you could have one, you did something right.'
With new strength and fervor following her own successful treatment for breast cancer, she has taken an active role in breast cancer awareness, treatment, and fundraising. Etheridge will executive produce and host 'WomenRock! Our Journey With Melissa Etheridge,' Lifetime Television's signature special for breast cancer awareness. The program, featuring Etheridge performing and sharing details about her own experience with the disease, will culminate the channel's Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 18th.
Throughout October and beyond, the annual Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure events will ring with the sound of Etheridge's 'I Run For Life.' Written and recorded at the behest of Race for the Cure co-sponsor Ford, this song is an anthem dedicated to raising funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Etheridge will donate all of her record royalties from the song to breast cancer charities, while one hundred percent of the proceeds from download sales at www.fordcares.com and the iTunes Music Store for the month of October will also be donated.
Etheridge will be featured in a print advertising campaign for Ford promoting sales of 'I Run For Life' downloads and ring tones, as well as special silk scarves to generate funds for the cause, all of which are available at www.fordcares.com. She will be the face of Kimberly-Clark's Health, Home and Hope campaign in October through Safeway and Vons stores, also raising money for breast cancer entities.
In addition, Etheridge will lead the annual initiative for Hard Rock Caf? International's breast cancer awareness campaign. A commemorative pin will be sold in all company-owned Hard Rock locations and at www.hardrock.com for the month of October. One hundred percent of the net profits from this pin will benefit the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation.
Etheridge has recorded eight albums over the course of her career. She has won the Grammy? Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance twice: for the song 'Ain't It Heavy' in 1992, and 'Come To My Window' in 1994. In 1996, she was honored with the prestigious ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award. The Kansas-born singer/songwriter has sold more than thirty million records worldwide.
