After Escaping Death, Russian Superstar Avraam Russo Returns to World Music Stage with New Spiritual Single, Music Video
New York, NY, December 16, 2009 --(PR.com)-- After a four-year hiatus prompted by an assassination attempt, Russian pop superstar Avraam Russo — who delivered record-breaking #1 hits like Amor and Love Is Not Here Anymore — is set to release Peace, the first single from his new spiritual album, Resurrection. The single will be digitally released on December 16, in tandem with a powerful music video, to benefit the Invisible Children organization. The video will be a free download.
The song and upcoming album signify a shift in musical direction for Russo, who has sold millions of pop albums to fans in eastern Europe, particularly in Russia. The choice to make an inspirational album was borne out of the famous attempt on his life in Moscow, in 2006.
"I have understood something in my life, and that is that nothing is impossible," says Russo. "The power that we possess, given by God, is always present to help us through all of our difficulties. If you know my story, you will know this is true."
His "story" reads like a blockbuster suspense novel. In 2006, Russo was at the height of his success; his popularity was on a par with Michael Jackson or Elvis in the U.S. One night, after performing at the opening of a posh Moscow casino, Avraam and his bodyguard started off on the short drive back to the home he shared with his wife, Morela, who was four months pregnant. Less than 50 feet from the gates of his driveway, a man stepped out of the shadows with an automatic rifle. Avraam heard the pop of gunfire and felt the bullets burn into his leg, then a deep numbness. He remembers his bodyguard screaming “Floor it, floor it!” and somehow Avraam managed to slam the accelerator down and drive out of the danger. He finally stopped the car and immediately lost consciousness.
The bodyguard pulled Avraam into the back seat, then rushed him to the hospital, where multiple life-saving operations left him weak, and with a poor prognosis for recovery. He lost 3.5 liters of blood —most people would perish if they lost 2 liters—and his leg was badly mangled. His physician told him, “You will never walk again. You will probably lose your leg. You may lose your life.” Press coverage of the shooting was massive; Avraam was on the cover of every major magazine and newspaper in Russia and beyond.
By some miracle, Avraam slowly recovered and learned to walk again. He left the hospital, and knowing the attacker was still at large, moved his family out of the country and to New York City. It was there that Morela gave birth to the couple’s first child, Emanuella, which means “God is with us.” There was no doubt in Avraam’s mind who had delivered him from his near-death encounter.
His re-found faith led him directly to inspirational music, and to Nashville, TN, a world hub for some of Christian music’s top writers, producers and musicians. His fourth CD, passionately performed and aptly named Resurrection, is his first English-language CD (he speaks seven languages in all, and sings in nine). While staying true to the expressive vocals Russo is famous for, he infuses great spiritual depth and passion into the work, which melds powerful lyrics with listenable hooks and memorable melodies. Resurrection is being produced by Dove Award winner Joe Beck (Glorious Impossible, To Ever Live Without Me) and Jim Frazier, and will be released in late January, 2010.
About Avraam Russo
Avraam Russo grew up in the Middle East, where he completed his monastery studies and discovered a talent for singing that quickly drew him attention. A lucrative offer took him to Moscow, where he fast became Russia’s biggest pop star. At the height of his popularity, there was an attempt on his life (which remains unsolved). Avraam and his wife Morela left Moscow for the U.S., where Avraam has rededicated himself to a spiritual path and has found a new home both in inspirational music and in New York City. Avraam has four platinum albums, including Amor, a #1 smash in eastern Europe. He has sold millions of album copies worldwide.
(Request a complete bio/digital press kit from leann@berkshirecommunications.com.)
About Invisible Children
This worldwide organization is dedicated to raising global awareness of the tragedy of central Africa’s child-soldiers, who are both weapons and victims in the war-ravaged region. A portion of the proceeds from Resurrection’s first single, Peace, will be donated to Invisible Children. For complete details, please visit the website.
Scheduling interviews and appearances in advance of the CD release of Resurrection in late January, 2010. Please contact Berkshire Communications with requests for interviews and high-res photos.
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The song and upcoming album signify a shift in musical direction for Russo, who has sold millions of pop albums to fans in eastern Europe, particularly in Russia. The choice to make an inspirational album was borne out of the famous attempt on his life in Moscow, in 2006.
"I have understood something in my life, and that is that nothing is impossible," says Russo. "The power that we possess, given by God, is always present to help us through all of our difficulties. If you know my story, you will know this is true."
His "story" reads like a blockbuster suspense novel. In 2006, Russo was at the height of his success; his popularity was on a par with Michael Jackson or Elvis in the U.S. One night, after performing at the opening of a posh Moscow casino, Avraam and his bodyguard started off on the short drive back to the home he shared with his wife, Morela, who was four months pregnant. Less than 50 feet from the gates of his driveway, a man stepped out of the shadows with an automatic rifle. Avraam heard the pop of gunfire and felt the bullets burn into his leg, then a deep numbness. He remembers his bodyguard screaming “Floor it, floor it!” and somehow Avraam managed to slam the accelerator down and drive out of the danger. He finally stopped the car and immediately lost consciousness.
The bodyguard pulled Avraam into the back seat, then rushed him to the hospital, where multiple life-saving operations left him weak, and with a poor prognosis for recovery. He lost 3.5 liters of blood —most people would perish if they lost 2 liters—and his leg was badly mangled. His physician told him, “You will never walk again. You will probably lose your leg. You may lose your life.” Press coverage of the shooting was massive; Avraam was on the cover of every major magazine and newspaper in Russia and beyond.
By some miracle, Avraam slowly recovered and learned to walk again. He left the hospital, and knowing the attacker was still at large, moved his family out of the country and to New York City. It was there that Morela gave birth to the couple’s first child, Emanuella, which means “God is with us.” There was no doubt in Avraam’s mind who had delivered him from his near-death encounter.
His re-found faith led him directly to inspirational music, and to Nashville, TN, a world hub for some of Christian music’s top writers, producers and musicians. His fourth CD, passionately performed and aptly named Resurrection, is his first English-language CD (he speaks seven languages in all, and sings in nine). While staying true to the expressive vocals Russo is famous for, he infuses great spiritual depth and passion into the work, which melds powerful lyrics with listenable hooks and memorable melodies. Resurrection is being produced by Dove Award winner Joe Beck (Glorious Impossible, To Ever Live Without Me) and Jim Frazier, and will be released in late January, 2010.
About Avraam Russo
Avraam Russo grew up in the Middle East, where he completed his monastery studies and discovered a talent for singing that quickly drew him attention. A lucrative offer took him to Moscow, where he fast became Russia’s biggest pop star. At the height of his popularity, there was an attempt on his life (which remains unsolved). Avraam and his wife Morela left Moscow for the U.S., where Avraam has rededicated himself to a spiritual path and has found a new home both in inspirational music and in New York City. Avraam has four platinum albums, including Amor, a #1 smash in eastern Europe. He has sold millions of album copies worldwide.
(Request a complete bio/digital press kit from leann@berkshirecommunications.com.)
About Invisible Children
This worldwide organization is dedicated to raising global awareness of the tragedy of central Africa’s child-soldiers, who are both weapons and victims in the war-ravaged region. A portion of the proceeds from Resurrection’s first single, Peace, will be donated to Invisible Children. For complete details, please visit the website.
Scheduling interviews and appearances in advance of the CD release of Resurrection in late January, 2010. Please contact Berkshire Communications with requests for interviews and high-res photos.
###
Contact
Berkshire Communications
LeAnn Zotta
615-395-0021
www.avraamrusso.net
LeAnn Zotta
615-395-0021
www.avraamrusso.net
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