Critically Acclaimed Song-Stylist Victor Fields Performs Live In-Concert Valentine's Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, at 8:00 P.M. EST on XM Radio and Debuts New Song Available as Free MP3.

Entertainment Editors

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2004

Fields Takes His Music Straight to the People

Song-stylist Victor Fields is feeling the Valentine's Day spirit, and Maxx Myrick, program director of XM Satellite Radio's popular "Real Jazz 70," is going to help him spread some love.

On February 14 at 8:00 p.m. (EST), not only will Fields become the first male jazz vocalist to perform live in concert at XM Radio's state-of-the-art 2,600-square-foot performance studio theater, but Myrick will become the first radio host to air Fields' new free single, "I Was A Fool." Victor's Valentine's Day gift to his fans and music lovers is a Johnny Pate original that was recorded in 1985 by one of Fields' musical heroes, Joe Williams; like his hero, Fields has a passion for the jazz ballad. "Victor's updated big band rendition is fantastic! His phrasing is original, smooth, jazzy and amazingly fresh," says Maxx Myrick. "I can't wait to hear him perform live in our studio." Victor will be accompanied in the studio performance by the Norman Simmons Trio. Norman Simmons, who was Joe Williams' pianist and musical conductor for nearly 20 years, will be joined by Paul West on bass and Gordon Lane on drums.

"I Was A Fool" is one of two new tracks that Fields is giving away as a downloadable MP3 from his website beginning February 14. The second, "American Wedding Song," was originally recorded by Nancy Wilson in 1985. "My manager, John Levy, who is also Nancy's manager, sent me this powerful song of hope and love of country. I listened to it and knew it was bigger than a song. It was more like an anthem. It was powerful, inspiring and uplifting," says Fields, "and I wanted to record it for our troops." Unfortunately, military security and red tape proved insurmountable. "In today's market, you have to already be a household name in order to get through," says Levy, who was saddened to learn that the Armed Forces personnel no longer have any input as to what is broadcast on Armed Forces radio because programming is outsourced to the civilian sector.

"Civilian means commercial. It used to be that radio was the way for new artists to break into the business; now it's political and the lesser-known don't get a chance to be heard," adds Levy. "It's tragic that so many commercial radio stations are ignoring the talents of independent artists like Victor. How will they ever become well known?"

Los Angeles Times jazz critic Don Heckman heard Fields live this past summer and called Fields, "a stylistically accomplished singer who deserves much more attention." Fields' most recent CD, "52nd Street," drew rave reviews from the critics around the country. The Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich has said, "He's maturing into a potentially significant vocal stylist. Blessed with an unusually gauzy tenor and an uncommonly genteel sense of swing." AllMusicGuide.com heralded, "The select listener of jazz vocals will find Victor Fields engaging, charming, and irresistibly appealing." And, Lou Rawls summed up Fields simply by calling him, "The man with the golden voice."

"I Was A Fool" and "American Wedding Song," are available free exclusively by download at www.VictorFields.com.

Editor's Note: A CD will be made available to radio stations wishing to air one or both songs; an advance audio file is available on request. Contact Regina Davis at [phone] or email [e-mail] to request a copy.