CHRISTMAS IN THE NORTHWEST 9 ON SALE NOW
Kenny G, Kevin Thornton, Ian McFeron, Ashleigh Flynn and More
Benefit Northwest Children’s Hospitals

SEATTLE – Seattle-based Children’s Music Fund, Inc. announces the release of “Christmas in the Northwest 9,” presented by RBC Dain Rauscher, to celebrate the holiday season and benefit Northwest children’s hospitals.

Now in its 21st year, “Christmas in the Northwest 9” features a new line-up of musicians.  The CD features Ashleigh Flynn, Dirty Martini, Ian McFeron, Kenny G, Kevin Thornton of Color Me Badd, Michael Powers, RyeHollow, and many more Northwest artists performing Christmas-themed music in a variety of genres.  This year’s CD also features a never-before released all new live version of Christmas in the Northwest, performed by Brenda White. Artists from previous years’ CDs include the Dave Matthews Band, Harvey Danger, Heart, Pete Droge, LeRoy Bell, and the Steve Miller Band.  The first album launched the hit song “Christmas in the Northwest” with lyrics and music by Brenda White and has since become a Northwest classic.

Net proceeds from the sales of “Christmas in the Northwest 9” benefit Northwest children’s hospitals: Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle; Children’s Miracle Network in Spokane, Wash.; and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Ore.  Since the release of the first CD in 1985, the total net proceeds that have been provided to children’s hospitals have reached approximately $700,000.

Available now, “Christmas in the Northwest 9,” retails for $13.98, and can be found throughout the Northwest at Bartell Drugs, Borders Books and Music, Haggen Food & Pharmacy, IKEA, Made in Washington, Silver Platters, TOP Foods, and online at www.christmasinthenorthwest.com and Amazon.com.  Music from “Christmas in the Northwest 9” includes:

1.  Deck the Halls – The Coats
2.  I Saw Three Ships – RyeHollow
3.  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Ian McFeron
4.  Up on the Housetop – Late Tuesday
5.  Christmas Time is Here – Michael Powers
6.  First Noel – Eric Tingstad featuring Suzy Bradford and Terry Lauber
7.  Winter Wonderland – Kenny G
8.  How Many Angels – Catherine Hessler
9.  Merry Christmas Darling – Kevin Thornton
10.  The Little Drummer Boy – Ashleigh Flynn
11.  Favorite Things – Doxology
12.  A Baby in the Manger – The Hope
13.  Coventry Carol – Dirty Martini
14.  Caroling, Caroling – Northwest Boychoir
15.  Christmas in the Northwest (live) - Brenda White  

The concept for “Christmas in the Northwest” and Children’s Music Fund originated when Steve and Debbie Lawson’s daughter Alex was admitted to Children’s Hospital at the age of two.

“We were so impressed with the treatment she received, we wanted to find a way to give back,” said Steve Lawson, founder of Children’s Music Fund, Inc.  “We enlisted the help of Northwest musical artists and put together a CD featuring contemporary arrangements of original holiday songs and Christmas favorites.  Alex is now married and works on this important project by my side.”

Children's Music Fund, Inc. is a non-profit Washington corporation whose purpose is to raise money for children's hospitals through the sale of the “Christmas in the Northwest” CD series.  Children’s Music Fund’s objective is to provide funding so that every child has access to medical treatment, regardless of their family's ability to afford the cost.  For more information on Children’s Music Fund and the “Christmas in the Northwest” series or to listen to song samples please visit www.christmasinthenorthwest.com or www.myspace.com/christmasinthenorthwest.

** CD cover artwork available upon request.