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Introducing an Inspiring New Ode
To the Virginia Tech Hokies
"We Are Virginia Tech! (We Will Prevail)"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2010

Contact:
Steve Acker
3658 County Road 58
Irondale, Ohio 43932
740-768-2352
steve@steveacker.com

VIRGINIA SONGWRITER RELEASES INSPIRING NEW
VIRGINIA TECH SONG ON APRIL 16th

New York, NY—A Virginia songwriter has joined forces with an Ohio writer and producer to record a new song and an extended play online CD for Virginia Tech titled “We Are Virginia Tech! (We Will Prevail.”

Inspired by VT professor Dr. Nikki Giovanni and her speech at the campus convocation on April 17, 2007, Carol Sweeney and Steve Acker penned the song as an ode to the school’s indomitable spirit. Sweeney’s son is a student at Virginia Tech and he was on campus on April 16, 2007 and on the phone with his mother, relating the events of that day as they unfolded. Her writing partner, Steve Acker, formerly the guitarist for popular 70s MCA recording artists LAW, suggested the idea of writing a song for the school and Sweeney directed him to a You Tube video of Dr. Giovanni’s speech. They quickly decided to base the song’s theme on that speech.

“I have since watched that speech a dozen times and it moves me to tears every time,” Acker says. “Carol suggested that we incorporate sound bytes from the speech in the record, which we did. We thank Dr. Giovanni for permitting us to do so.”

The recording, as performed by Ohio singer Tina Marie Williams along with former MCA recording artists LAW of Youngstown, Ohio, is an uplifting message of hope, a declaration of new resolve. “All of us who are involved in the production of this record have high hopes that it will give the students, alumni, faculty, and fans of the Virginia Tech Hokies a new, positive, message to sing,” Acker explains. “This is the ultimate aim of any serious songwriter: to touch people's hearts and inspire their spirits. We hope that we have accomplished that with this song.”

Additional tracks on the full CD include:

1.       An electrifying rock instrumental version of the Virginia Tech Fight Song a la Joe Satriani

2.       A touching tribute to the VT students who lost their lives in the tragedy of April 16, 2007, a celebration of life titled “The Dash” sung by Pittsburgh's Jayna Lininger

3.       A high resolution ringtone version of “We Are Virginia Tech!”

4.       A high resolution ringtone version of “The Virginia Tech Fight Song 2010.”

5.       A lovely, orchestrated acoustic version of “We Are Virginia Tech!” (to be added next week) Sung by Antoinette

Produced by Acker Productions in association with the studios at sst, New York City, the “We Are Virginia Tech!” CD and its accompanying tracks will be available at no cost to all current Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff with a vt.edu email extension ONLY beginning April 16, 2010 at 7:00 AM. This download is not available to the general public at this time.

However, all fans and friends of Virginia Tech may download two free ringtones: We Are Virginia Tech! and The Virginia Tech Fight Song 2010.

The website address to hear samples of the songs, register your Virginia Tech email address, and download the full CD is www.universityjams.com

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