Speakeasy Television Show to Feature R.E.M. Legends in Upcoming Episode

NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The critically acclaimed television interview series Speakeasy is pleased to announce that alt-rock pioneers R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe and bandmate Mike Mills will appear on an upcoming episode of season five airing spring 2020. Stipe and Mills sat down recently onstage at ABC Studios in New York City for a rare, candid discussion with Washington Post reporter and PBS "Washington Week" moderator Robert Costa to discuss the 25th anniversary of R.E.M.'s multi-platinum-selling 1994 album Monster and much more. A clip of the upcoming episode can be viewed here.

"Having Michael Stipe and Mike Mills of R.E.M. discuss their career with Robert Costa of the Washington Post as part of our Speakeasy's fifth season and filming the episode at 'The View Studio' thanks to our partnership with ABC Audio was very special," stated Don Maggi, Executive Producer of Speakeasy.

R.E.M.'s 25th anniversary reissue of their highly acclaimed ninth album, Monster, was released on November 1. Tracks "What's the Frequency Kenneth?", "Star 69", "Bang and Blame", and "Let Me In" led the way for the hit album that debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 and would be certified four-time Platinum in the United States. The Monster 25 Deluxe Edition includes a complete album remix from their long-time producer Scott Litt, rare concert recordings from 1995, extensive video footage, previously unreleased demos, and new liner notes.

"It was a pleasure filming the Speakeasy episode. Everyone was great and we're big proponents of public television and enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the 25th anniversary of Monster," stated Michael Stipe. "In addition to looking back at Monster with Bob Costa, it was really cool discussing topics that we don't normally cover, and doing so in such a warm, comfortable setting," added Mike Mills.

The intimate conversation with these two Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will also be part of Speakeasy Sessions, an exclusive radio program in association with ABC Audio and Front and Center Entertainment, which will air April 2020 coinciding with R.E.M.'s 40th anniversary.

"ABC Audio is excited to offer this rare and exclusive special with iconic music figures Michael Stipe and Mike Mills, two of the founding members of R.E.M," said Heidi Oringer, ABC Audio's Executive Director of Programming and Distribution. "The three-hour music special offers affiliates and their listeners the rich context behind the music and lyrics that made the band part of the very fabric of the Athens music scene in the '80s and extended their reach nationally and globally into the '90s and beyond. The special features R.E.M.'s music history, not only with songs from their Monster album, but with many of their hits that fans have come to know and love over the years. ABC Audio is happy to play a role in bringing those memories back to the airwaves for everyone to enjoy."

The R.E.M. bandmates join an eclectic mix of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, top GRAMMY, Country Music Association, American Music and Academy of Country Music Award winners, rock icons and multi-platinum artists to appear on Speakeasy. Episodes have featured Nile Rodgers sitting down with Valerie Simpson, Roger Waters talking with television journalist Bill Weir, John Mellencamp with Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, Carlos Santana being interviewed by Harry Belafonte, Geddy Lee conversing with Pulitzer Prize-winning American author Michael Chabon, and Sting having a personal chat with Shaggy, and many more.

Speakeasy is produced by Front and Center Entertainment, LLC, and distributed by American Public Television.

For more information on the television programs Speakeasy and Front and Center, please visit http://www.speakeasytalks.com and http://www.frontandcenter.com.

For ABC Audio affiliate information, contact Christopher Venice at 212-456-5339 or [email protected].

###

About Front and Center Entertainment
Front and Center Entertainment, LLC produces the popular music performance television series Front and Center as well as the groundbreaking talk show Speakeasy and the monthly series MTV Live: Setlist. Since 2012 Front and Center has presented an eclectic mix of Grammy, Country Music Association, American Music and Academy of Country Music Award winners, rock icons and multi-platinum sellers including Keith Urban, Steven Tyler, Cyndi Lauper, Counting Crows, Rob Thomas, and The Avett Brothers. Speakeasy, which began airing in January 2015, features an iconic talent chatting intimately with an interviewer of their choice. Included are conversations with Roger Waters and Bill Weir, David Crosby and Wynton Marsalis, Sting and Shaggy, Lenny Kravitz and Sean Lennon, and Robbie Robertson with Warren Zanes. MTV Live: Setlist spotlights rising artists spanning multiple genres including St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Dua Lipa, and Muna. Front and Center Entertainment has partnered with ABC Audio to introduce two new programs exclusively for country and rock radio formats based on the company's successful television shows. To learn more about the television programs and associated sponsorship opportunities, please visit http://www.frontandcenter.com.

About ABC Audio
With distribution to over 1,650 radio stations and digital distributors, ABC Audio is the premier source for audio news, entertainment and music format services in the United States. ABC Audio syndicates ABC News Radio, where more Americans get their radio news than any other commercial broadcaster. ABC Audio includes Air Power, station services with format-specific music content, entertainment and news; ABC Digital, publisher of news, entertainment, lifestyle and music format-specific stories updated 24/7; and syndicated music and talk programming brands. ABC Audio also produces world-class on-demand content, including ABC News' flagship daily podcast Start Here, the international chart-topping hit The Dropout and the award-winning Ten Percent Happier. ABC Audio is part of ABC News and Walt Disney Television. For more information visit http://www.abcaudio.com.

SOURCE Front and Center Entertainment

Related Links

http://www.frontandcenter.com