Win a copy of Donna Summer's new release, "Crayons"

On the album's release date, May 20, courtesy of Sony/BMG, a copy will go to one lucky reader chosen at random who leaves a comment about Donna on this post.

I remember the first time I heard Donna Summer.  I was driving home from work in my new 1976 Lincoln Continental Mk IV, (that I had purchased with the commission I made on selling 1 computer-how times have changed) the radio on a contemporary FM station, when "Love to Love you Baby" came on.  I immediately cranked the volume as other commuters stared at this young(ish) guy wearing the standard IBM uniform, a pin striped suit, in astonishment that blaring disco music was coming out of a car that was usually driven by old farts. (ahhh yes-that would be me-30 years ahead of my time.) I couldn't believe how long this incredible piece of music went on.  What a song!!  What a singer!! I immediately headed for the nearest record store to buy any 8 track tape (yeah, I had all the goodies on that gas guzzler) that had any Donna Summer music on it.  Disco was taking off and Donna Summer soon assumed the throne as the Queen with megahits like Bad Girls, Last Dance and Hot Stuff. 

32 years later, Donna is now a grandmother, and I drive a car that would fit in the Lincoln's trunk.  Any time I hear one of her classics, I crank the volume way up but unfortunately, the body doesn't remember, nor indeed is it capable of all the cool moves I learned from the only dance lessons I ever took-Disco!!   But Donna Summer still has the pipes to allow her to release her 1st album in 17 years called "Crayons."   Donna's video about the album and the press release can be seen by clicking on the link below. 

THE QUEEN IS BACK

LEGENDARY SINGER SONGWRITER- DONNA SUMMER

IS BACK WITH A NEW STUDIO ALBUM - CRAYONS

IN STORES MAY 20, 2008  ON

BURGUNDY

RECORDS / SONY BMG

Legendary singer songwriter, DONNA SUMMER, is hard at work on her first studio album of all new material in 17 years!  Crayons is set to release May 20, 2008 on Sony BMG Music Entertainment’s Burgundy Records.

 

In the thirty plus years that Donna Summer has been making music she has never confined her artistry to just one genre. Although Donna  is, and will always be, “The Queen Of Disco” to many fans, her hits have spanned multiple musical genres from Rock to R&B to Inspirational and of course, Dance.   

 

Summer helped to define the 70’s pop music generation and Crayons will have all the characteristics that made Donna an icon.  Containing a potent mix of the up-tempo tunes and ballads, the new album showcases incredible new material that is written by Donna (who wrote or co-wrote the majority of her hits of the 70's and 80's).  Working with Donna are renowned writers and producers including: Greg Kurstin (Lilly Allen, Pink), Danielle Brisebois (Natasha Bedingfield, New Radicals), JR Rotem (Sean Kingston, Rihanna), Evan Bogart (co-writer of Rihanna's smash "SOS" and the son of legendary record executive, Casablanca Records founder and Donna's mentor, Neil Bogart), and Lester Mendez (Shakira, Santana). 

 

Donna describes the background of the title Crayons and the aesthetic of the album as “a menagerie of colors and styles, with hints of different ethnic traditions and sounds. My dream is that when people hear the music it will remind them of their youth, their childhood and the joy and wonderment they felt exploring their first pack of Crayons.”

Donna’s long list of musical accomplishments include: 14 #1 Billboard singles, 12 Gold and Platinum singles, 5 Grammy Awards, 6 American Music Awards, 2 Double Platinum albums, 1 Platinum album, 8 Gold albums. Her song “Last Dance” won both Oscar and Golden Globe awards.

Donna’s “Firsts”:

 

• FIRST female singer to have a #1 album and #1      single on the Billboard charts simultaneously - a feat she accomplished again just a few months later,      breaking her own record.
• FIRST artist to have three #1 double albums on the      Billboard charts consecutively with Live and More , Bad Girls,      and On the Radio. (she still remains the only female artist and      solo act with this accomplishment).
• FIRST female solo artist with three #1 hits in a      one year period, topping the charts with the singles “Hot Stuff,” “Bad      Girls” and “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” – a duet with Barbara      Streisand.
• FIRST artist to achieve Gold status with a 12 inch      for her single “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough).”
• FIRST artist ever to be given a Grammy for the      category “Best Rock Female Vocal Performance” for her Platinum single “Hot      Stuff.”
• FIRST artist ever to be given a Grammy for the      category “Best Dance Recording” for her song “Carry On.”
• FIRST group of artists to be inducted into the      Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2004, alongside The Bee Gees and Barry White.

 

 

For more information please contact:

 

Bob.Hoch@sonybmg.com

 

www.DonnaSummer.com

www.myspace.com/donnasummer

Comments

[goinglikesixty]

Holy Cannoli! You bought a Lincoln Mark IV from one sale!!! Isn't that choice! I'm curious as to what the computer was - big old honking mainframe jobby!
Donna Summer is/was sex on wheels - especially in your Mark IV. Love to Love You Baaaa-by.

[Dirk Graydon]

She's always been a favorite of mine so I hope I can win her new CD. Thank you.

[Jimmie Lee]

I am very honored to leave a comment about the female singer who has been my favorite vocalist since I saw her from a distance on her Bad Girls vinly lp cover. "That woman doesn't have eyebrows!" is what crossed my mind as a young boy. I'm sure I heard her songs prior to that moment and seen her before then, but that's the moment that sticks out in my mind. Something about her voice attracted me to her...And it still does. Now that I'm older, I can say it's her vocal versatility. I love it when she belts out a song and then sings in that soft, breathy voice as she did in Love To Love You Baby. The fact that she was (and is) a black female vocalist who sings more than just r&b music attracted me as well. One of her quotes, "...music has no color..." really made me think about that and see that it is true. Donna Summer likes to have fun with her music as well as throw something in her songs/lyrics that might get someone to thinking. Love is her mission. Sure, there are other female singers who are more popular than Donna Summer, but Donna's voice causes you to take attention to it. Her voice is not boring like some voices that I consider boring today. I wont' mention any because I don't think Donna would appreciate me doing so here:) I thank Donna for her music efforts and contribution to the world and my life. I thank Burgundy for signing her. A lot of us have heard many rumors of her releasing a new cd and thanks to Burgundy, it is happening. So, again, I thank you and Donna Summer.

[Frank Middleton]

My memories of Donna's music are so important to me because it was a difficult period of my life but putting Donna on my tape deck alawys made me feel better.
I can't wait to hear her new music.

[Eric Henwood-Greer]

SOO excited for this. I got into Donna randomly when I was 17--around 1997. So I've waited since then for a full new album.

E

[John Poublon]

Radio Stations throughout America start playing real music like the brillant new song STAMP YOUR FEET by DONNA SUMMER, not the incessant overhyped muzac of RAPPERS & YOUNG STARLETS whom hold no candle against THE POWER OF ONE talented singer, songwriter & artist - the one and only DONNA SUMMER.

[quay foster]

donna has always been my favorite person
her talent is unmatched and she is a good person on top of that
i love to love the new songs and cant waitto hear them all
thanks donna for being there for me through the good and especially the bad times your music help me to survive and continues to do the same
love quay foster

[Ed Warhola]

Welcome back Donna....it's been way too long!! Looking forward to hearing the new release.

Ed.

[Ed Warhola]

Welcome back Donna....it's been way too long!! Looking forward to hearing the new release.

Ed.

[Lee-B]

A long time coming, but it seems the 17 yrs have been worth the wait. I think her hardcore fanbase expected a decent comeback album. But from the clips I have heard, she has exceeded expectations, and perhaps created THE definitive/Classic Donna Summer album. An absolute triumph!
I'm so glad Donna is back to show these wannabe pretenders to HER throne, just how it is done.

[Tom Stewart]

Donna, the values you live by make you someone very "SPECIAL", someone to be proud of...
You're loved more than you know!

[Mario Maldonado Alvarado]

I'M A FATHER TO A 4 YEARS OLD LITTLE GIRL CALLED "ROMINA" WHO LOVES TO DANCE AND SING DONNA SUMMER'S MUSIC WITH SONGS AS; "ROMEO", "I'M A FIRE", "STAMP YOUR FEET", "I GOT YOUR LOVE", "I FEEL LOVE", "THIS TIME IS FOR REAL", "LOVE IS THE HEALER", "I WILL GO WITH YOU", "UNCONDITIONAL LOVE", ETC. AND EVERY TIME WE DO THAT TOGETHER, I KNOW THOSE ARE THE MOMENTS MY BABY WILL REMEMBER IN THE FUTURE, AND THAT MUSIC WILL BRING THEM BACK. ON SATURDAY NIGHTS SHE ASKS ME "DADDY ARE WE GONNA DANCE?" AND I SAY; DEFINITELY YES!, MY GIRL IS LEARNING ENGLISH THROUGH DONNA'S SONGS (I TEACH HER TOO BECAUSE I'M AN ENGLISH TEACHER AT THE UNIVERSITY). I'M 37 Y.O. AND I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I LISTENED TO "SPRING AFFAIR"; I WAS AT MY OLDER SISTER'S BEDROOM, I WAS 7 YEARS OLD, FROM THAT MOMENT ON THE ONLY THING I WANTED TO DO WAS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DONNA SUMMER, IT WAS 1978 AND A FEW DAYS LATER FROM THE VERY FIRST MOMENT I HAD LISTENED TO "SPRING AFFAIR", I WAS WALKING DOWNTOWN AND I PASSED IN FRONT OF A RECORDS STORE AND I SAW TWO ALBUMS ON EXHIBITION THOSE WERE; "ONCE UPON A TIME" AND "LIVE AND MORE" ALSO THERE WAS DISPLAYED A BIG BANNER/POSTER OF "LIVE AND MORE" SO I ASKED THAT ALBUM FOR MY BIRTHDAY, FROM THAT DAY ON THE ONLY THING I DID WAS TO LOOK FORWARD EVERY SINGLE DONNA SUMMER'S ALBUM EDITED. I LOVE HER "SHE'S MY QUEEN" AND THE QUEEN IS BACK!!!!!

[Kenneth Lawrence]

I have loved Donna Summer since Macarthur Park in 1978. Can't wait for CRAYONS!

[noé ramón]

i love donna summer since 1979. i´m very happy she's back and the cd looks great. i live in canary islands in spain, but i feel very close to her.

[guido]

E GRANDE.LA PIU GRANDE.HO ASPETTATO E TI HO SEMPRE SEGUITA.SEI UNICA E SOLA.MI HAI ACCOMPAGNATO PER MANO DAL 1977...SEI UN QUALCOSA CHE MI RESTERA DENTRO PER SEMPRE...COME UN ANGELO.IL MIO.

[Rolando]

THE QUEEN IS BACK!!!!

[Juan Jose Serrano Arellano]

Hola!
Since I was sixteen years old (late 70's), I did not notice about Disco records, but I remember that I hear a great song with an incredible sense for me, I was listening an enjoyable long version of "Try me I know, We can make it".
Until now I enjoy almost everyday to my all time favorite singer, and in my personal case, Donna Summer is always in tune.
Let me tell you that in Mexico City, in almost every radio stations in pop english music, play everyday at least, three of her greatest hits like "Hot Stuff", "Bad Girls", Mc Arthur's Park", "Last Dance", "She works hard for the money" and even "Spring Affair" for mention some of them.
So I'm very proud because Donna will give us "Crayons" and I know that it will be a great succes for all us Summer fans.
Thank you for this great opportunity to tell my experience.
God bless you!

[Giove]

I remember the first time I saw Donna perform live. It was in my city, Rome, Italy, and I was 13. My mother took me to the Sistina Theatre and....there she was, the Goddess of my dreams, singing "I Remember Yesterday", "I Feel Love"....when I think of it, I still can't believe that it really happened to me....Todey I'm 44, and I'm still trapped in my Summer fever.....

[matthewj]

can't wait to pick up a couple of copys [:

[Ben]

I just discovered this great blog thanks to Donna Summer! I'm very excited about this new album. What I've heard so far sounds really, really goooooooood!

[guidino]

sei sempre grande.lo sarai sempre.non inporta quello che fanno e dicono gli altri.tu sei unica come voce come suono come vita.sei tutto.grazie di esserci,ti voglio bene.buona e lunga vita.DONNA.

[Albert Wilcox]

Donna Summer is a living legend that still has the talent, the beauty, and those amazing powerful vocals that still excite me for years gone by and years to come. Thank you SONY for supporting Donna Summer in her endless Journey of Music. I have am so excited for the new CD "Crayons".

[Ron Mesiona]

Donna Summer remains my favorite female singer. I've been a fan since 1978, when I was in the 7th grade. I'm 41 years old, and I'm still a loyal fan. Although Last Dance came out before MacArthur Park, it was the latter that got my attention. The way she held that note and belted out the song, it got me hooked. The following year, 1979, I was in summer heaven. You could constantly hear Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, Dim All The Lights, Sunset People, and On My Honor. I look forward to listening to new music from Donna Summer. Aloha!

[Dan Orozco]

I know everyone says they're the ultimate Donna Fan, but with me, it's true ;)
17 years is a little misleading. In that time she's released a fantastic Xmas CD with some original material, a live CD/DVD with some new stuff, a couple of compilations/greatest hits with new songs, been part of many projects where she's contributed new songs (rosie, luther, piaf, mr rogers, liza, native, etc...) movie soundtracks, the release of a never-released album, the list goes on & on & on...HOWEVER, I can't believe how excited I am for this--her first full CD with new and original material since "mistaken Identity"--We've waited too long Donna! Thank you! Please don't wait another 17.

[Mark]

Ahhhh... how wonderful to read the postings of people with such fine taste!

Just like I sometimes feel awed by how lucky I am to be an American, I realize just how lucky I was and still am to have lived during the Donna Summer era. I think this is one of those things you either get or you don't, yet for the life of me I cannot understand how anyone could not love our diva.

Although her music is and always has been tops on my playlists, there's something about Donna I like even more - her humility and sensitive nature. Recently, in an interview she gave to Entertainment Tonight, she talked about setting goals and how, once she had achieved her mega-star status in the 70s and 80s, she set new personal goals for herself - family. You gotta love a woman who has that much talent yet still understands that life is about people. Thus, I love Donna just as much for her heart as I do for her music, both of which are monumental.

Thanks for letting me share my love for Summer!