TJL Productions announced today that SUPERSTARS OF ’70s SOUL LIVE, the very first installment of its acclaimed MY MUSIC series, will return to PBS stations nationwide in March 2012 by popular demand. Hosted by Grammy award winner Patti LaBelle, SUPERSTARS OF ’70s SOUL LIVE is a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of R&B legends performing some of the greatest hits of the decade.

This emotional concert special, captured live in Atlantic City in November 2003, features performances from some of the biggest names in R&B, soul, disco and funk. Highlights include two numbers from host Patti LaBelle, including her chart-topping smash “Lady Marmalade”; the Commodores’ hard-funk classic “Brick House”; the get-up-and-dance anthem “We Are Family” by Kathy and Joni Sledge of Sister Sledge;

“Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead – the duo’s last performance together, recorded months before Whitehead’s passing; and a historic reunion of the Chi-Lites with original lead singer Eugene Record, in what was to be the group’s last performance with Record before his passing in 2005.

“This special is a dream come true, to gather the original voices and talents that define the ’70s soul era,” says MY MUSIC executive producer TJ Lubinsky. “You may not remember all their names, but you know each and every one of their songs as the music that defined the soul of the ’70s.” Lubinsky spent two years tracking down the artists for the special, finding Yvonne Elliman (“If I Can’t Have You”) retired in Hawaii and convincing her to perform again in public for the first time in 27 years.

In addition, Lubinsky has produced a new CD collection exclusively for PBS titled MY MUSIC: POP SOUL MASTERS SERIES. The 7-disc set, available exclusively at PBS.org, represents the most comprehensive hits package of ’70s soul ever compiled, all mastered from first generation tapes and featuring many remixes plus New York and Philly club rarities from the era.

SUPERSTARS OF ’70s SOUL LIVE: MY MUSIC is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning March 3, 2012. Check local listings for stations and times.

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TJL Productions announced that BIG BAND VOCALISTS, the latest installment of the popular MY MUSIC series, will premiere on PBS stations nationwide March 3, 2012. Hosted by Nick Clooney (whose sister, Rosemary Clooney, is among those featured on the show) and Peter Marshall, BIG BAND VOCALISTS showcases the timeless “crooners and canaries” of the 1940s when they started their careers performing with orchestras and dance bands, before they became stars on their own.

Featuring rare archival film footage not seen in years, this nostalgic look back offers romantic favorites from an all-star roster of legendary artists including The Andrews Sisters, Louis Armstrong, Perry Como,Doris Day, Helen Forrest, Dick Haymes, Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore, Kate Smith, Jo Stafford & The Pied Pipers and many more.

Among the classic World War II era bands backing up these iconic voices are groups led by Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Harry James and Stan Kenton. ”This music has never gone away and these singers are the reason why,” says co-host Nick Clooney. ”They are the finest popular vocalists we’ve ever known.”

Highlights include Doris Day singing “It’s Magic” in her film debut, ‘Romance on the High Seas’, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song; the earliest known footage of Peggy Lee with a big band, singing “Why Don’t You Do Right”; and a rousing rendition of “God Bless America” delivered by Kate Smith.

As a companion to the television special, MY MUSIC executive producer TJ Lubinsky has also compiled a new CD collection of Big Band favorites exclusively for PBS. The 5-CD set, available exclusively at PBS.org, offers three volumes of the most popular singers from the era – original classics mastered from first generation tapes – plus two discs featuring new stereo orchestra recordings of timeless Big Band hits.

BIG BAND VOCALISTS: MY MUSIC premieres March 3, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS nationwide and airs throughout the March pledge period.  Check local listings for stations and times.

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