Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw Set to Host TNT�s Annual CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON Concert; JoJo, LeAnn Rimes, Ruben Studdard and Vanessa Williams Scheduled to Perform
Gala Premieres Exclusively on TNT Wednesday, Dec. 15
Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw have signed on to host Turner Network Television�s (TNT) annual presentation of the CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON concert. Popular recording artists JoJo, LeAnn Rimes, Ruben Studdard and Vanessa Williams will perform. Annually attended by the President and First Lady, Washington�s top politicians and VIPs, CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON celebrates the holiday in musical style while benefiting the National Children�s Medical Center. This year�s concert will be taped at the historical National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., premiering on TNT Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
�Now in its 23rd year, CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON is an annual holiday tradition that brings Americans together in a musical celebration of the holidays,� said Steve Koonin, executive vice president and chief operating officer for TNT and TBS. �We are thrilled to have such a wonderful line-up of performers for this year�s gala and that Dr. Phil, who provides hope and healing to so many people, will be taking such a central role in this very special event.�
Dr. Phil McGraw�s nationally syndicated daily one-hour series, Dr. Phil, currently in its third season, has been making headlines and breaking records since its September 2002 launch, when it garnered the highest ratings of any new syndicated show since the launch of The Oprah Winfrey Show 16 years earlier. Robin McGraw, Dr. Phil�s wife of nearly 30 years, has become a favorite with viewers nationwide with her frequent appearances on his show focusing on women�s issues. In addition to hosting his series, Dr. Phil, who holds a PhD in clinical psychology, writes a monthly column for O, The Oprah Magazine and is the author of several books, including five #1 New York Times bestsellers: Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters; Relationship Rescue: A Seven-Step Strategy for Reconnecting with Your Partner; Self Matters: Creating Your Life From the Inside Out; The Ultimate Weight Solution: The Seven Keys to Weight Loss Freedom; and his latest ground breaking book, Family First: Your Step-by-Step Plan for Creating a Phenomenal Family. Dr. Phil�s books have been published in 37 languages, with almost 20 million copies in print.
Jojo is the 13-year-old singing sensation whose debut single �Leave (Get Out),� recently topped Billboard�s singles sales chart. She was discovered through an appearance on America�s Most Talented Kids. Music manager James Womack heard her voice and introduced her to Da Family Entertainment�s Vincent Herbert, executive producer of her debut album. Jojo recently joined R&B superstar Usher on a summer European tour.
Since the release of her hit debut album Blue (at the age of 13), LeAnn Rimes has charted seven additional albums, including her most recent release, LeAnn Rimes Greatest Hits (To Be Continued). Her long list of chart-topping hits includes �Can�t Fight the Moonlight,� from the movie Coyote Ugly, in which she also co-starred, and �How Do I Live,� which held position on Billboard�s Hot 100 chart longer than any other single. In March 2004, she was named �the voice� of Children�s Miracle Network, serving as international spokesperson for the charity devoted to raising funds for children�s hospitals.
Ruben Studdard catapulted to fame through his performances on the popular show American Idol. �The Velvet Teddybear� eventually emerged as the winner of the competition, later taking part in a nationwide concert tour. His first album, Soulful, was released in December 2003 and produced the hit single �Flying Without Wings.� His second album, I Need an Angel, is set for release in November 2004.
Vanessa Williams� hit albums include The Comfort Zone and The Sweetest Days. An accomplished actress, she performed in television roles and music videos before co-starring in such feature films as Another You and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. She scored her first big hit film with the thriller Eraser, then followed it up with Soul Food and the 2000 remake of Shaft. On Broadway, she starred in the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman and Stephen Sondheim�s Into the Woods.
CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON, a two-time Emmy-winning program for Musical Direction and six-time nominee overall, is executive-produced by 11-time Emmy-winner George Stevens, Jr. and directed and produced by Michael Stevens for The Stevens Company. Ricki Rosenfeld and David Bryant serve as executives in charge of production for TNT, and Nyree Tripptree is producing.
Artists performing in past years have included Kenny Chesney, Joss Stone, Hootie & the Blowfish, Ashanti, Tony Bennett, Reba McEntire, Usher, Marc Anthony, Christina Aguilera, B.B. King, Chris Isaak, 98 Degrees, Kenny Loggins, Alison Krauss, Luther Vandross, Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Gloria Estefan, Brian Setzer, Aaron Neville, Patti LaBelle, Lee Ann Womack, Neil Diamond and Vince Gill.
Turner Network Television (TNT), television�s destination for drama and one of cable�s top-rated networks, offers award-caliber original films, such as the Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation The Wool Cap and the adventure drama The Librarian: Quest for the Spear; highly anticipated original series, including the Steven Spielberg 12-hour series, Into the West; powerful one-hour dramas, such as Law & Order, Without a Trace, ER, NYPD Blue, Charmed, Judging Amy and Angel; broadcast premiere movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is also available in high-definition.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.
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