Rock Band Orleans Continues with Charitable Drive; Band Co-Founder John Hall Announces Bid for Congress

Mission of Mercy: Rock band Orleans' support for Red Cross Hurricane Relief continues with a win-win proposal to Media, based on the new song “Mission of Mercy”. Also, cofounder John Hall announces bid for a US Congressional seat.

Orlando, FL and Dover Plains, NY (PRWEB) December 8, 2005 -- The stalwart band Orleans, admired and respected in music circles since the seventies, globally recognized for their mega-hits ‘Still The One’, ‘Dance With Me’ and ‘Love Takes Time’ announced a Gulf Region fundraising/free shipping promotion in connection with a brand new CD, “Dancin’ in the Moonlight last month. On December 2, cofounder John Hall officially put in his bid to become the Democratic challenger to 5-term Representative Sue Kelly (R-NY, Dist. 19). His platform: redefine US ‘national security’, seriously focus on education, health care.

Today, Orleans offers a free Master sync license (plus 50% donation - Red Cross – of standard Publisher fee) to all media that wish to use the song “Mission of Mercy” as soundtrack (year-in-review etc).

While many Seventies bands fall under the category of ‘one hit wonders, Orleans remains at the at the top of their game. Orleans still features all three surviving founding members: John Hall, Lance and Larry Hoppen, along with brother Lane Hoppen on keyboards and ex-Elton John drummer Charlie Morgan.

Guitarist, singer, composer and activist John Hall has always been in the forefront of the group, leading Orleans’ musical efforts for social and political causes, Hall was elected Ulster County Legislator in NY State and as President of the Saugerties School Board. An environmental and social activist, he was instrumental along with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Graham Nash ( the M.U.S.E. Board) in the No Nukes movement and 1979’s Madison Square Garden concerts, which galvanized supporters and raised significant money from the shows, albums and movie produced thereof.

Though written and recorded before the string of Hurricanes that devastated the Florida region in late Summer 2004, the song – especially the chorus – “Mission of Mercy” is an eerily timely refrain, almost hymnal in its hopeful message about coping. In the wake of Katrina, along with raising funds from CD sales to donate, the group is offering media outlets a great opportunity to use quality new music from a trusted and loved band to enhance coverage and public awareness of the dire ongoing need for Gulf Region aid. Orleans has also posted a comprehensive, password-protected area specifically for media. Radio station personnel are able to download complete tracks for airplay with relevant information on each song. Media may obtain onsite the password required to hear and/or download anything including 2 different versions of “Mission of Mercy”.

The group is including all CDs at www.orleansonline.com in the fundraising program. The brand new site also features new content, photos, other new products and free shipping. Larry Hoppen, composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist says: “To better connect with fans, the website has been rebuilt from scratch to feature our first studio CD in ten years “Dancin’ in the Moonlight” and two other titles on our own label."

For more information, visit the band’s website at www.orleansonline.com

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