[NEohioPAL]Heart Throb Ball @ Cleveland Clinic

Thu Mar 22 12:32:28 PDT 2007

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News Release<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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MEDIA CONTACT:     Renee Singleton<o:p></o:p>
                                      216.344.9966<o:p></o:p>
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p>
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VERSATILE ENTERTAINER ASTRID WILL PERFORM THE SONG “BE YOUR OWN HERO” AT THE <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CLEVELAND</st1:place></st1:City> CLINIC HEART THROB BALL<o:p></o:p>
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CLEVELAND – March 22, 2007 - Astrid, a national recording artist and former backup singer for Jimmy Buffet, will perform the motivational song, “Be Your Own Hero,” on March 24 at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Throb Ball at the Intercontinental Hotel.  <o:p></o:p>
The Hero Educational Foundation is one of the sponsors of annual black-tie fundraiser for the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. Foundation president Joel Friedman arranged the appearance by Astrid, who recently recorded “Be Your Own Hero” for Friedman, who owns the song.<o:p></o:p>
“Astrid is a phenomenal singer with a wide vocal range,” Friedman said. “She brings such passion and emotion to ‘Be Your Own Hero.’ The lyrics are powerful on their own, but Astrid’s rendition of the song can literally bring tears to the eyes of listeners. I have seen it happen.”   <o:p></o:p>
            Friedman is also the founder and superintendent of Greater Heights Academy, a charter school in its third year. The school serves 1,100 inner-city students in grades K-11 who faced extraordinary challenges and struggled to succeed in the traditional public school setting. Greater <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Heights</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Academy</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> adopted “Be Your Own Hero” as its official school song last year.<o:p></o:p>
“The students love the song. They can be heard singing it as they walk down the hallways,” Friedman said. <o:p></o:p>
“When I first heard ‘Be Your Own Hero,’ I immediately knew it was the perfect song for our school. It is so compelling and that really speaks to what I am trying to instill in our students. The song is an inspiration to anyone facing a challenging situation.”<o:p></o:p>
Friedman said “Be Your Own Hero” was performed by singer Michael Cavanaugh as a demo several years ago. Diane Baumgardner penned the lyrics, and the music was composed by Alan Licht, a former <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cleveland Heights</st1:place></st1:City> resident.  Licht knew Friedman and offered him the song. Friedman accepted and chose Astrid to sing the number because she is bilingual, and he wanted the song recorded in both English and Spanish.<o:p></o:p>
The versatile Astrid has performed professionally since the 1980s. She was a backup vocalist for Buffet’s 1988 Hot Water Tour and also has toured with Bonnie Raitt, Rita Coolidge and the Neville Brothers. She has done voiceovers for national radio and television, and commercials for Papa Johns and Chrysler.<o:p></o:p>
For additional information on the ball, please contact Renee Singleton, 216.344.9966. Information on the Hero Educational Foundation and Greater Heights Academy is available at <A href="http://www.heroeducationalfoundation.org/">www.heroeducationalfoundation.org</A> or by contacting Joel Friedman at 216.397.6358. “Be Your Own Hero” can be heard on the FM radio stations WDOK, WNCX, WQAL and WXRK.<o:p></o:p>
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