ROD STEWART DEBUTS HIS FIRST EVER CHRISTMAS ALBUM, MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY SET FOR OCTOBER 30th RELEASE ON VERVE MUSIC GROUP

FEATURED GUESTS INCLUDE MICHAEL BUBLÉ, MARY J. BLIGE, CEE-LO GREEN AND A VERY SPECIAL ‘VIRTUAL’ DUET WITH ELLA FITZGERALD

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER ON ITUNES NOW!

Grammy Award®-winning, two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Rod Stewart, the newest world-class megastar to join the roster of the Verve Music Group (VMG), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), has completed MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY, his first Christmas album of his career, it was announced today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Music Group and David Foster, Chairman, Verve Music Group. Foster serves as producer and arranger of MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY, which is set to arrive in stores on October 30th and is available for pre-order on iTunes today.

“I have always been tempted to do a Christmas album,” said Rod Stewart. “And now that I once again have young children, the timing couldn’t be better. Additionally, Merry Christmas, Baby gave me a chance to reunite with David Foster.” Added Foster, “And I’m thrilled that this is the first project for both of us on Verve.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY, an album of standards and traditional songs finds Rod Stewart joined by a number of A-list guests, starting with Michael Bublé, who duets with Rod on “Winter Wonderland.” “We Three Kings” is a duet with Mary J. Blige; and the title tune “Merry Christmas, Baby” is a duet with Cee-Lo Green featuring New Orleans’ favorite son, Trombone Shorty. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” features Dave Koz on saxophone and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” is a very special ‘virtual’ duet with Ella Fitzgerald featuring Chris Botti.

The balance of the tunes on MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY comprise “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” “Blue Christmas,” “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “Silent Night,” and “Auld Lang Syne.” The album’s one original track, “Red-Suited Super Man,” is composed by Rod Stewart, David Foster and Amy Foster and features Trombone Shorty.