DANIEL O'DONNELL THE ROCK 'N' ROLL SHOW DEBUTS NATIONALLY ON PBS
Two-DVD Set of the Concert, Featuring Bonus Footage, Slated For North American Release in Fall 2006; 3-CD Package Features all 60+ Songs

O'Donnell's Global Achievements Include Over 7.5 Million Albums and Two Million Videos/DVDs Sold

Following the extraordinary success of his 2005 PBS special Daniel O'Donnell Branson Encore, the Irish phenomenon is back on his beloved home turf, donning jeans and a leather jacket, dancing up a storm and ready to rock and roll. Daniel O'Donnell: The Rock 'n' Roll Show, an exciting trip down memory lane featuring favorite hits from the 50s and 60s, is the globally renowned entertainer's fifth PBS special.

Taped at the Point Theatre in Dublin at the end of his recent Rock 'n' Roll tour, the PBS pledge special begins airing as part of the network's March 2006 membership drive. An expanded version of the show, including special bonus materials, is scheduled for release on two DVDs in the Fall of 2006; the entire concert's 60+ tracks also appear on a 3-CD set, Daniel O'Donnell: The Rock 'n' Roll Show, which was released in the U.S. and Canada in February.

February also saw the U.K. and Irish release of From Daniel With Love, a set of love songs whose instant hit status is certain to add significantly to his total of 7.5 million albums sold (North American release tbd.); the singer has also sold over two million Videos/DVDs, which have included releases of his previous PBS specials The Daniel O'Donnell Show (2002), Daniel O'Donnell & Friends (2003), Daniel O'Donnell: Songs of Faith (2004), and Branson Encore (2005).

Also featuring O'Donnell's longtime singing partner Mary Duff, his seven-piece band, a fiery brass section, 3 backup singers, and eight dancers, the 80-minute television show / 2 hour, 40 minute DVD extravaganza includes sizzling choreography, stunning 50s & 60s era sets, and multiple costume changes-all of which contribute to a vibe that's more full-scale Broadway Musical than simply another great concert. Applying his trademark "If I love it, I sing it" philosophy to a wealth of potential songs from the 50s and 60s, he covers a variety of magical, instantly familiar melodies.

The set begins with a rousing medley of Elvis Presley songs and continuing through "Teenager In Love," "Oh Boy," "Three Steps To Heaven" "That'll Be The Day," "Calendar Girl," "Daydream Believer," "Donna," "Let's Twist Again," "Let's Dance" and "Rock Around The Clock."

At the centerpiece of the television show are two medleys that reflect not only O'Donnell's personal favorites, but truly define different eras in rock and roll history. His Elvis medley includes "Blue Suede Shoes," "Good Luck Charm," "Love Me Tender" and "All Shook Up." Hopping a decade to The Beatles, he sings "All My Loving," "Hey Jude," "Yesterday" and "Ticket To Ride."

As a special bonus, the DVD set includes two additional medleys: O'Donnell's Cliff Richard medley acknowledges the artistic connection to his long-time friend and mentor, and finally there is "The Moon Of Love Medley," a spectacular show within the show featuring O'Donnell, Mary Duff, dancers, an elaborate set, a theatrical tale, and incorporating classic tunes like "Dream Lover," and "Then I Kissed Her."

Audiences have long been enthralled by Duff, who sings a number of songs on the TV show and DVD, including upbeat renditions of "My Boy Lollipop," "Lipstick On Your Collar," and "Where The Boys Are," among others.

The idea of Daniel O'Donnell: The Rock 'n' Roll Show and this homage to the days of bobby socks, drive-ins and danceable music spawned from the success of O'Donnell's three recent hit albums of rock era classics, Daniel In Blue Jeans, The Jukebox Years and the most recent release, Teenage Dreams. O'Donnell was heavily involved in the creation of the touring show and television special ­ he conceived it all, from set list and costumes to dance sequences and colorful sets, and was then helped by professionals to bring his ideas to reality. "It was all that I hoped for," he comments, "and exactly what I had envisioned."

In addition to spring and fall appearances at Branson's Tri-Lakes Theatre in 2006, O'Donnell currently has eleven North American tour dates scheduled from May 22 -June 9, 2006, including stops in Toledo, OH (May 22); Pittsburgh, PA (May 23); Toronto, ON (May 25); Ottawa, ON (May 26); Glens Falls, NY (May 28); St. John's, NL (May 30); Halifax, NS (June 1); Bangor, ME (June 3); Boston, MA (June 4); Detroit, MI (June 6); and Wilkes-Barre, PA (June 9). The North American concert dates will feature O'Donnell's popular mix of country music, inspirational ballads, Irish songs ­ and some of the rock and roll music featured on the television show & DVD set.

O'Donnell's popularity is growing in America and abroad at a remarkable rate, with sold-out shows, record breaking Billboard chart positions (he recently held nine of the 15 slots on the World chart) and two recent CMA (Country Music Association) nominations. This demand for all things O'Donnell has prompted Virgin Books to release hardcover and paperback versions of Daniel O'Donnell: My Story, which sold over 150,000 in its original U.K. printing in 1999.

The book tells a fascinating tale of humble beginnings (a small cottage in Ireland with no water and an open-hearth fire) and pays homage to the people and places that played a part in his incredible journey to musical success. Virgin Books also published hardcover and paperback versions of O'Donnell's picturebook Daniel O'Donnell My Pictures & Places.

"Twenty five years ago, when I made the risky choice of pursuing a professional career in music, I never dreamed I'd get to do all the things I've done, and travel so many places to entertain so many wonderful people," he says. "I always feel very privileged to do that. Public Television has given all of us a tremendous platform to inspire more people than we ever thought possible."

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