Aretha Franklin touring in support of her first ever holiday album

The undisputed “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, is making several special appearances throughout November and December to promote her most recent release, “This Christmas Aretha.” The 18-time GRAMMY winning artist released her first ever holiday album Oct. 14 through DMI Music and it is being sold exclusively at Borders and Waldenbooks stores and Borders.com. The recording, produced by DMI’s Tena Clark and Aretha herself, features 11 classic and contemporary songs infused with Aretha Franklin’s trademark gospel, soul, R & B and classical styles.

In regard to the recent Rolling Stone honor, Aretha would like to express her "many thanks to the musicians, producers and the editorial staff of Rolling Stone who voted me this esteemed award and particularly Rolling Stone, an American institution for canvassing and polling so many industry people to name me as the #1 greatest singer of the rock era. I am thrilled about it."

To celebrate this momentous release and with the holiday season fast approaching, Aretha will be traveling between Los Angeles and New York for several appearances over the coming weeks. Aretha will appear live at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip for two solo performances Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22. Then, Sunday, Nov. 23, viewers will see Aretha take the stage once again as a presenter at the American Music Awards, broadcasting live in primetime on the ABC Television Network (8 – 11 p.m. EST, tape delay PST.).

Fans should also tune in to “Live with Regis and Kelly” Dec. 3 to watch Aretha perform for the studio audience. She will remain in New York to ring The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) along with Borders Group CEO George Jones and DMI’s Tena Clark on Dec. 4 and immediately following will perform at the NYSE’s celebrated Christmas tree lighting ceremony. During her time in the city, Aretha will also visit the “Today” show to tape three songs for a special broadcast on Christmas day, wrapping up the holiday season.

A special trip to Washington, D.C. will also be scheduled as Aretha will attend the 31st annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala, where she was an honoree of lifetime achievement in the performing arts in 1994. The Kennedy Center Honors Gala is scheduled to telecast Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008.