LOS ANGELES, CA (Top40 Charts/ Treadstone Records) - Image Entertainment:
- "Music That Inspired the Hit Television Show 7th Heaven" Stirs the Soul With Offerings From Contemporary Artists Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant and Randy Travis, and Traditional Stylists George Jones, Mahalia Jackson, Mavis Staples, Sandi Patty and Gaither Vocal Band
"This is the first and only soundtrack for `7th Heaven,'" informs Jonathan Platt, president of Treadstone Records, which will release "Music That Inspired the Hit Television Show 7th Heaven" on May 2, 2006. The disc will be distributed by Image Entertainment.
"We are deeply honored to be releasing this album not only because `7th Heaven' is the longest-running family drama ever, with a phenomenal 10-year run on The WB," Platt continues, "but because it has touched so many lives and made such a lasting impression." For nearly a decade, "7th Heaven" has regularly ranked No 1 in its time slot on The WB. "The soundtrack captures a historic moment in television history and translates it into music," Platt ventures.
And some glorious music it is. "Music That Inspired the Hit Television Show 7th Heaven" features country-pop powerhouse Wynonna Judd singing the funky, banjo-laced "What the World Needs"; Contemporary Christian crossover sensation Amy Grant, with her rousing version of "This Is My Father's World"; esteemed country baritone Randy Travis assaying the timeless "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"; singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor on the barn-burner "Step by Step"; honky-tonker Brett James delivering a down-home rendition of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"; and rocker Steve Plunkett's twangy "7th Heaven (Main Title Theme)."
Holding down the traditional spectrum of inspirational music is gospel-soul legend Mavis Staples, with the Stax/Volt-reminiscent "Have a Little Faith"; Queen of Gospel Mahalia Jackson, lending a swinging performance of "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho"; country giant George Jones on a toe-tapping, guitar-juiced rendition of "I'll Fly Away"; Contemporary Christian superstar Sandi Patty contributing a moving interpretation of "How Great Thou Art"; the pioneering gospel quartet The Dixie Hummingbirds, with the ragtime-flavored "Someday"; and premier Southern gospel outfit The Gaither Vocal Band, with "Get on the Happy Side of Living."
The Gaithers are a particular favorite of "7th Heaven" creator and executive producer Brenda Hampton, who says they've got a permanent slot in her car's multi-CD player. "The music I've used on `7th Heaven' is so eclectic," she says, "that it was almost impossible to come up with any theme for an album that made sense other than this one - the music that inspired `7th Heaven.' These songs remind me of my family when I was growing up in Atlanta. I like to listen to any music that's uplifting, and I like to go anywhere people are happy. And every Monday night for 10 years, I've tried to take our viewers to a place called 7th Heaven."
"I've always thought this was a great show for a soundtrack," says Platt. "The Camdens (the family at the heart of `7th Heaven') are the modern-day Waltons. They've become a touchstone of popular culture. A soundtrack seemed like a great way to celebrate that and give fans something special as they're saying farewell to the show."
Further defining the series' place in television history, Platt notes, "One of the reasons `7th Heaven' has been so successful is that it reaches an audience frequently overlooked by Hollywood - Middle America. I think the soundtrack will be embraced by those folks as well. It's upbeat and wholesome, and there's something for everyone, both fans of the old-time, traditional gospel music and people who are into the more contemporary artists, like Wynonna and Amy Grant and Randy Travis.
"I'm very excited and proud to be involved in a project that is so positive and spiritual," Platt confides, "and everyone at Treadstone is thrilled to have an association with `7th Heaven.' It doesn't really matter what religion you are, or if you're religious at all - this is an album about faith, which is something we all need."
"7th Heaven" stars Stephen Collins as Reverend Eric Camden, Catherine Hicks as Annie Camden, Barry Watson as Matt Camden, David Gallagher as Simon Camden, Beverley Mitchell as Lucy Kinkirk, Mackenzie Rosman as Ruthie Camden, Nikolas and Lorenzo Brino as Sam and David Camden, George Stults as Kevin Kinkirk and Tyler Hoechlin as Martin Brewer. Jessica Biel was a member of the series' original cast. The show was created by Brenda Hampton ("Fat Actress," "Mad About You," "Blossom"), who also serves as executive producer. "7th Heaven" is currently in its 10th, and final, season.
