HLN’s MORNING EXPRESS WITH ROBIN MEADE ‘RISE AND SHINE’ SONG CONTEST WRAPS WITH MORE THAN 1,600 SUBMISSIONS

Meade's Debut Album Brand New Day Among Billboards Biggest Jumpers

Meade’s Album Gains More Fans and Rave Reviews

CNN Press Release - NASHVILLE, TN (August 8, 2011) -- HLN's popular morning show, “Morning Express with Robin Meade” wraps its wildly successful “Rise and Shine” contest that asked viewers to write and perform an original "Morning Express" theme song. Kicked off in conjunction with the debut of Meade’s country album Brand New Day on June 21, “Rise and Shine” garnered an exceptional 1,613 submissions. A compilation of the best and most memorable submissions are featured on the Morning Express website: http://wp.me/pglXF-1Jd

The show will also select 10 of the best entries and viewers are encouraged to vote for their favorite at CNN.com/Robin beginning Tue, Aug 16 through Tue, Aug 30. The winner, to be announced on the air in September, scores a trip to Atlanta to meet the “Morning Express” team, a VIP tour of the news studio and a professional recording session for the song they created.

Brand New Day leaped into Billboard's Heat Seekers chart at #24, and is among Billboards biggest jumpers on its Country Albums chart. It's all a big win for Meade and producer Victoria Shaw (Lady Antebellum) who, without major label backing or significant radio airplay, landed strongly on the chart.

“I'm beyond thrilled to see Brand New Day charting so well,” said Meade. “One of my viewers called my attention to it, and I didn't believe them at first, and then felt a leap in my heart when we confirmed it! I'm so thankful to Nashville and my viewers around the country for this."

In addition, Meade’s infectious energy and powerful voice has resonated with both viewers and the country music community, earning countless fans and enviable music reviews. Meade’s debut album, Brand New Day is continually being re-stocked at Target stores across the U.S. and is receiving critical acclaim from the nation’s biggest music critics, including:

Huffington Post - David Wild
“As a news hound and an insomniac, I've been familiar with Robin Meade and the "Morning, Sunshine" warmth she brings to early morning news on HLN. Still, I was pleasantly surprised to get the news that Meade is not just an unusually effective and likeable talking head, but also a country singer with a strong voice of her own. Produced by the respected singer-songwriter and producer Victoria Shaw…and available at Target, Brand New Day is the newswoman's charming debut album that in a sly nod for her day job features a version of Don Henley's pointed "Dirty Laundry." Less ironically, check out other tracks like "Welcome Home" with Jim Brinkman, "Never Alone" and feel the morning sunshine in Meade's sweet singing voice.”

Music Row – Rob Oermann
“How deliciously ironic that this HLN TV newswoman’s country single debut is Don Henley’s famed 1982 screed against TV journalism. Bo Bice, Kix Brooks, Gary Burr, Sarah Buxton and Victoria Shaw join her on the choruses, but this is Robin’s feisty vocal showcase all the way. This gal has moxie.”

Taste of Country – Billy Dukes
“The deeper into the song she gets, the more jaw-dropping this tongue in cheek jab at her industry becomes…This is a splendid cover.”

Her debut album Brand New Day (produced by Nashville heavy-hitter Victoria Shaw) is available exclusively at Target stores and iTunes.

Meade can be seen Mon-Fri, 6 a.m.–12 noon ET as the anchor of "Morning Express with Robin Meade" on HLN.

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/morningexpresshln
On Twitter: @robinmeade
On Web: www.cnn.com/robin

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