Veteran Recording Artist Jerri BoKeno Rekindles Holiday Jewel "This Christmas”

Classic 1970 Donny Hathaway song released by Young Pals Music, featuring a host of renowned New York City musicians in new live recording.

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. Veteran recording artist Jerri BoKeno is rekindling the holiday jewel "This Christmas," originally recorded in 1970 by renowned Grammy-winning soul singer Donny Hathaway. 

Released by New York City-based Young Pals Music Monday, December 17, to all major download and streaming sites, the song expresses the joy of the season, as BoKeno sings with glee: “Hang all the mistletoe, I'm gonna get to know you better, This Christmas/And as we trim the tree, How much fun it's gonna be together this Christmas.”

The joyous anthem, written by Hathaway and Nadine Theresa McKinnor, has the distinction of being released twice, first on Atco Records in 1970. The song then became a holiday staple after being included in 1991 on Atco’s revised edition of a 1968 Soul Christmas compilation album. Since, it has since been covered by the likes of Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child, Chicago, Pentatonix and Mary J. Blige. ASCAP reports it as the 30th most-performed holiday song of all time.

The acclaimed BoKeno, meanwhile, has recorded, performed and written with a stellar group of artists, including John Lennon, Cher and Michael McDonald. She was signed to Phil Spector and recorded "Here It Comes And Here I Go Again" for his Spector International Label. The single was an international hit and featured on BBC's Top Of The Pops.

Adding their talents to the new recording of "This Christmas" are a host of professional New York City-based musicians: live drums from Mike Sorrentino, bass and horn section from Carras Paton, classical guitars by Emre Yilmaz, acoustic and electric guitars by Gene Blank and piano from Tom Gallaher. Artwork photography for BoKeno’s release comes courtesy of renowned artist Matt Blodgett.

Ayhan Sahin, Young Pals Music founder & CEO, notes, “Talk about divine inspiration. My dear friend Bo recently took me out to dinner for my 50th birthday and we started talking about recording a Christmas song. She knew exactly what she wanted to cover—and within days we had assembled our dream team of musicians. We started recording on thanksgiving morning in a deserted Manhattan studio, and the rest of the production followed it in less than a week. It’s a classic song, but I am so pleased… this version sounds brand new.”

Adds BoKeno, “‘This Christmas’ is one of my most beloved Christmas songs… I love the fact that I not only had the opportunity to record one of my favorites, but also to give it a new twist, thanks to the amazing new arrangement with these musicians live in the studio. I am thrilled.”

For information, contact:

Susanne White

718-935 0256 - susanne@youngpalsmusic.com

YoungPalsMusic.com

AVAILABLE NOW AT https://youngpalsmusic.com/digital-download

Randy Jones - "Hard Times" Music Videos

Music Video for "Hard Times" by Randy Jones (A2B / Epic Extended Disco Hustle Mix)

Randy Jones' two separate music videos "Hard Times Remixes" was launched on September 15 with a glamorous party at Manhattan's hot spot "Beautique" in midtown with more than 100 guests.

Music Video for "Hard Times" by Randy Jones (Mark Saunders / A Night at 54 Disco Mix)

In June 2017, Young Pals Music released "Hard Times," the first single from Randy Jones' upcoming full-length album, Still Makin' Noise. The single reached #42 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and was the first chart placement from any member of the Village People as a solo artist.

Photo album for Randy Jones' launch event on September 15 with soundtrack of "Hard Times" by Randy Jones (DJ Drew G /  Bigger Room Mix)

The Village People’s Iconic Cowboy Randy Jones Returns To The Billboard Top 40 With Solo Smash “Hard Times”

Dance Club hit aligns with 40^th anniversary celebration of The Village People, including beloved hits “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy.” With “Hard Times” success, Jones is the only group member to achieve a solo hit.

Let the hard times roll! In the midst of the 40^th anniversary celebration of the iconic Village People’s chart-topping music career—including global smashes “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy”—the group’s beloved cowboy, Randy Jones, is keeping the fire burning. His solo single “Hard Times” is a top 40 hit on Billboard’s Top Dance Club Play chart.

The dance club anthem, released by New York City-based Young Pals Music, includes an original studio version and eight re-rubs from renowned music mixologists Mark Saunders, Eric Kupper, Tim Cox, Date Night (f/Brannew), A2B (f/Emre Yilmaz), DJ Drew G, Onur Koc, and Peacemode. A 10-track single was released to all major digital outlets in July.

“Hard Times” launched at No. 42, as the second-highest entry among five new songs on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, for the week of August 26, 2017. Adding to the achievement, Jones is the only member of the Village People to score a solo hit.

With Jones’ vocal machismo guiding the joyous uptempo fanfare, “Hard Times” is driven by a flourish of acoustic guitars, pounding percussion and a chorus of angelic voices, alongside an empowering message that tough times may come and go, but with the will to win, you can always land “on the right line.”

Amid Jones’ own five-decade career, the renowned vocalist, film star, philanthropist—and all-round nice guy—has helped sell 100 million singles/albums and fostered a quarter billion views on YouTube, thanks to the Village People’s beloved catalog of disco songs. Add to that 75 Gold and Platinum record certificates, the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, alongside a co-starring role in the 1980 musical comedy film “Can’t Stop the Music,” directed by Nancy Walker—and also starring (then) Bruce Jenner.

Continuing a career as an actor, singer and dancer, he has also released a number of solo CDs, including most recently, “Ticket to the World,” "Your Disco Needs You!" and in 2016, "Mister Right." In 2018, he is slated to release a new full-length project, tentatively titled “Still Making Noise.”

RANDY JONES DEBUTS AT BILLBOARD CHARTS

40 years after The Village People enters Billboard Charts, the group's iconic cowboy Randy Jones debuts on Billboard charts with his "Hard Times Remixes" written by Jones, Bernadette O'Reilly and Ayhan Sahin with no less than eight club remixes from renowned producers such as Eric Kupper, Drew G., Mark Saunders, Tim Cox, and more.

 Jones says: “It’s so good to be back in the game… oh, no wait, I never stopped playing the game,” Jones told Music Industry News Network. “Seriously, keeping my voice out there and persistently being able to perform is not only great fun, but it is a testament to those fans who have stayed strong with a cause that is so much greater than anything I could ever do. I’m proud to still be doing what I love to do… every damn week!”

GET YOUR CD NOW AT YoungPalsMusic.com

The Village People’s Iconic Cowboy Randy Jones Sets Summer On Fire With A Cascade of Remixes for Single ‘Hard Times’

Released by Young Pals Music, Jones follows the release of his successful single “Hard Times” with no less than eight club remixes from renowned producers and  D.J.s like Mark Saunders, Erik Kupper, Drew G, Tim Cox and more.

If it takes a “Village,” then Randy Jones is ready to rope in the masses for the summer of 2017. The renowned vocalist, film star, philanthropist, all-round nice guy—oh, and the beloved cowboy from American Music Award-winning The Village People—follows the release of his successful single “Hard Times” with no less than eight club remixes from Mark Saunders, Erik Kupper, Drew G, Tim Cox and more.

Randy Jones’ 2017 single “Hard Times” from Young Pals Music offers an empowering message that tough times may come and go, but with the will to win, you can always land “on the right line.” 

Jones not only remains a fixture among New York City’s entertainment illuminati, but he is a gifted solo artist. Collaborating with songwriter/producers Ayhan Sahin and Bernadette O’Reilly, Jones brings his vocal machismo to the joyous uptempo fanfare, driven by the track’s flourish of acoustic guitars, pounding percussion and a chorus of angelic voices. 

As a reminder, amid a four-decade career, Jones helped sell 100 million singles/albums and fostered a quarter billion views on YouTube, thanks to "Macho Man," "In the Navy," "Go West" and "YMCA." Add to that the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, alongside a co-starring role in the 1980 musical comedy film “Can’t Stop the Music,” directed by Nancy Walker—and also starring (then) Bruce Jenner.

“It’s so good to be back in the game… oh, no wait, I never stopped playing the game,” Jones jokes. “Seriously, keeping my voice out there and persistently being able to perform is not only great fun, but it is a testament to those fans who have stayed strong with a cause that is so much greater than anything I could ever do. I’m proud to still be doing what I love to do… every damn week!”

Adds producer and co-songwriter Sahin, “Having Randy Jones coming full force for ‘Hard Times’ has been crazy fun. Then, adding these incredibly talented remixers to the project raises the bar all the more. I can’t wait to hear Randy across clubs all summer.”

Indeed, “Hard Times” arrives at the ideal time. The Village People are celebrating  their 40^th anniversary since “Macho Man” became the group’s first U.S. top 40 hit. That, of course, was followed by the beloved “Y.M.C.A.,” “In the Navy” and countless dance hits. Add to that the 40^th anniversary of “Saturday Night Fever,” whose soundtrack ultimately sold 15 million copies. Disco resurgence, anyone?

‘Where Is Your Heart?’ from Award-Winning Album ‘Pop’ Released By NYC-Based Young Pals Music

Moody anthem helmed by Producer & Songwriter Ayhan Sahin 

explores those moments when inner darkness find a pathway to light. 

There are times when life events prompt us to hide behind inner walls, and then, methodically, to break out of loneliness, darkness and anxiety. That journey—and its ultimate redemption—personify the sonic triptych of “Where Is Your Heart?”

Recording of "Where Is Your Heart?"
at Shelter Island Studios in Manhattan

Co-written and co-produced by award-winning Ayhan Sahin with hit songwriter Bernadette O’Reilly and released by New York City-based Young Pals Music, “Where Is Your Heart?” is the unprecedented eighth single from the album “Pop.”

As the song explores that internal pilgrimage to find strength on the other side, its gently cascading melody, acoustic guitars, plucky piano and rat-a-tat percussion boost the track with an inherent spirit of optimism that helps propel its missive of recovery.

In the lead vocal from Sahin, he sings, “When night goes never-ending, when winter is your heaven, why is this the story of my life?/Where is your heart, Where is your soul, Who reaches out there when you fall?/Never say never when you’re down.

“Where Is Your Heart” was recorded live with renowned New York musicians Tom Gallaher on piano, Rob Preuss on keyboards, drummer Mike Sorrentino, and bassist Carras Paton, with background vocals from Jerri Bocchino & Keith Fluitt. It was mixed by Sahin and mastered by Greg Calbi of Sterling Sound.

“This single is particularly close to my heart and to Bernadette’s, reflecting on a very real struggle that a dear friend endured,” Sahin says. “The happy ending is that through such sadness she found strength she never knew she had.”

The album project, meanwhile, “took three years of planning to find the right vocalists to go with the songs. We’ve been really fortunate to gather so much talent,” he adds. “It’s been so gratifying—and a lot of fun—to release each single and watch them find their audience in diverse and often unexpected ways.” 

Indeed, “Pop” is the album that keeps on giving. “Where Is Your Heart?” follows last winter’s single “Hard Times,” sung by multi-platinum recording artist and American Music Award Winner Randy Jones, who is beloved as The Village People’s iconic cowboy. 

Other Singles Released From The Album "Pop"

The single before that, “Another Bad Mistake,” features lead vocals from beloved disco act Anita Ward, renowned for her seminal No. 1 “Ring My Bell,” which hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100, Disco, and Soul Singles charts in 1979. 

In all, the 12-track “Pop” showcases more than a dozen diverse vocalists & musicians across a myriad of styles, including R&B & soul, dance, jazz, country and of course… pop. All songs are co-written and co-produced by Sahin. In April, “Pop” was awarded The Akademia Music Award for Best Rock Song for single “Drink.” 

The album is the first namesake project for award-winning Turkish-born Sahin. He founded independent label Young Pals Music in 2007, through which he has released a dozen albums over the past decade. He has worked with Olivia Newton-John, Mexican superstar & Broadway star Bianca Marroquín, Melba Moore, Phoebe Snow, Turkish superstars Sezen Aksu and Sertab Erener, Sandra Bernhard and five “American Idol” finalists. 

Sahin has appeared on Univision, while his music has been featured in Billboard, The Los Angeles Times, Playbill, MTV, Yahoo! Music and on CNN and “The Wendy Williams Show.”

RANDY JONES AT LE POISSON ROUGE