Inaugural Presentation In Nashville Highlights Inspirational Country Music Awards

(Nashville, Tennessee) –November 13, 2013 --In the afterglow of the CMA's and the flurry of awards presentations in Nashville over the past several weeks, Austin's creative community was well represented in the Inspirational Country Music Association Awards (ICM) with the presentation of the music organization's first-ever "Ambassador of Goodwill Award" to Andrew and Mary Ann Heller.

Noted Inspirational Country Music Association organizational Founder Gene Higgins in making the presentation: "The couple we are honoring tonight truly fit the definition of ‘Ambassadors of Goodwill.' Together they are humanitarians whose good works have been both national and international in scope. Back home in Austin, they are major humanitarians both of the creative arts and charities. Their contributions as major donors to advance medical research, Catholic charities, the creative arts community interests and individual organizations too numerous to mention, qualify them in the truest sense of the word as philanthropists. As a cancer survivor, she has a tremendous heart for people, and is a non-stop engine for God and for good –a true definition of the word "inspirational."

"It's a tremendous honor," noted Andrew Heller in receiving the honor. "Mary Ann and I are tremendously humbled by the presentation."

The Hellers are heavily connected to the music—and artistic community in Austin. They are, in fact, among the cities biggest patrons of the arts and humanities. Andrew's music career compliments his success in the equally creative world of high-technology where he has for decades been a major "think tank" participate and developer of key innovations. As a corporate executive with IBM, he rose to the top leadership where he spearheaded the creation of the company's leading cutting edge technologies. He has since evolved that role into key independent consulting positions globally—a life that today offers the Hellers the opportunity and freedom of sharing his creativity and their collective goodwill in both the worlds of high tech and music.

In the midst of his music career and their heavy slate of charity work, Andrew and Mary Ann have been heavily involved in bringing the Menuhin Competition to Austin in 2014, the first time the internationally elite performance event will be held in the United States.

Founded by Yehudi Menuhin in 1983, the competition attracts the world's best violinists under the age of 22 for ten days of competitions, workshops, master classes, and concerts. Often described as "The Olympics of the Violin," the event will be held in Austin at the Butler School of Music, February 21-March 2, 2014. The Hellers feel their hometown of choice is the perfect venue.

"Austin has a tremendously vibrant artistic community and creative atmosphere. It's home to all kinds of music and a diversity of culture—it will provide the perfect welcome to international musicians from around the world'," notes Heller.

Classically trained, as an artist Andrew Heller's interpretation of music encompasses an extraordinary love of diversity—from pop standards and nostalgic classics performed nationally with leading symphony orchestras to his renditions of modern chart hits. With dozens of popular releases to his credit with his own Austin based DiamonDisc Records, his new CD release, "Houston" marks a nine year teaming with his longtime producer, Grammy nominated Eric Paul.

In the mix of things, 2013 has been a very good year for Andrew Heller music fans. He's enjoyed Top 10 successes on the FMQB AC Charts, New Music Weekly, as well as the Power Source Magazine Country and Inspirational Country Charts with a trio of singles.

Nashville, TN - August 3, 2009 - Andrew Heller of Austin, TX has been nominated as Entertainer of the Year by the Inspirational Country Music (ICM) Association, it was announced this week.

The nomination follows a year of musical success, from singing at the Inaugural Ball for President Barack Obama to the birthday concert for legendary composer Ervin Drake at Hofstra University in June. In March, Heller represented the state of Texas and Austin at the SxSW Music Festival. After traveling to Europe this summer, where he performed in Venice, Italy and Malta to promote his music, Heller returned to perform with the Texas Festival Orchestra at Festival Hill in Round Top, TX on July 5th.

Heller's Christian Country single, "The Great I Am" jumped up the Power Source chart to land at #11 for the month of July. His last two singles, "Tell Me More" and "I Believe" made it to #18 and #20, respectively, on the Christian Country Chart. All three songs are from Heller's most recent, album I Believe In Angels. "I Believe" spent four months in the #1 spot on the Midwest's Big Band Swing chart. Another of Heller's singles, "Houston, Houston, Houston" (from the album Places) climbed to #29 on the Country Chart. In addition to his concert calendar, Heller is a frequent guest of radio DJ's nationwide. His music plays across multiple formats on hundreds of stations and networks. Heller was recently featured on Fox News Network's Strategy Room.

Most people don't know that Andrew Heller recently returned to singing after a lengthy absence, during which he became known as a brilliant and aggressive computer designer, president of IBM's Independent Business Unit in Austin and a successful venture capitalist. His scientific career has been widely chronicled in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, among other publications. Since returning to the entertainment business in 2004, his popularity as a concert and recording artist has grown with each passing year.

Andrew Heller and his wife MaryAnn Heller own and run the record label, DiamonDisc, which distributes not only Andrew Heller's music, but a small and tasty catalog of recordings by Charlie McCoy, Willie Nelson and Don Cherry, and the late Boots Randolph.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
BETSYANN FAIELLA
SAVOY COMMUNICATIONS
(310) 283-2415
bafaiella@mac.com

January 11, 2009 -New York, New York- Power Source 100 Artist Andrew Heller is kicking off the New Year in grand style with a performance at The Presidential Inaugural Gala at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009. Heller will be appearing with the award winning ACC Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Tom Husak. Additionally, Andrew Heller and the Ensemble will perform at Howard University in DC on January 19th for the 23rd Annual Jazz, Blues and Gospel Festival celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Their scheduled performance is from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

As a recording artist, Heller has released six CDs. In 2008, he landed on the national music charts with 2 different recordings: "I Believe" from his most recent CD, I Believe in Angels, spent six months on the Power Source Top 100 and is still #1 on the Midwest's Big Band Swing Chart. "Houston, Houston, Houston" from Heller's CD, Places, charted in the Power Source Top 100 as well. Heller's other recordings include Christmas Wonder, My Beloved, El Paso, and Broadway Love.

After his electric appearances at October's ICM Awards in Hendersonville, Andrew Heller may soon be known as the man who put a new genre on the musical map. The new CD, I Believe In Angels is pushing the envelope of inspirational music with danceable songs dealing with God and faith. Upon seeing Heller's October 13th and October 14th showcases on the Sam Ash Stage at the Trinity Music Center (formerly Twitty City), one reporter described his performance of the John Tirro and Dwight Liles composition, "Tell Me More" as "Inspirational Swing." In fact, "I Believe In Angels" has a mixture of traditional and new songs, including a song written by the late Townes Van Zandt, titled "When He Offers His Hand". As a concert artist, Heller has appeared with orchestras as varied as the Austin Symphony, the Philadelphia Philharmonic, and the iconic Western Swing band The Texas Playboys. He performs a variety of classic American music in many venues across the U.S. including the Acuff Theatre (Opryland), The Four Seasons Austin, on the high seas for Carnival Cruise Lines, and in Las Vegas.

As a youth, Andrew placed first in the New York Young Artist Metropolitan Opera Auditions. As a soloist, Heller performed in New York at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Marble Colligate Church, and many lead roles in summer stock throughout the East Coast. He put his professional singing career aside temporarily to pursue advanced degrees in science and mathematics, and began his scientific career at IBM. Heller rose to the position of President of IBM's Independent Business Unit, where he supervised the creation of computers now known as the RS6000 and AIX, IBM's leading edge version of the UNIX operating system. Heller is the youngest person ever to be named an IBM Fellow, a lifelong honor.

Andrew Heller returned to his musical career in 2004 with his first recording, and a performance with The Austin Symphony. His eclectic repertoire spans Great American Songbook, Americana, and Inspirational genres, as well as French and Italian Popular Song. Andrew Heller is a favorite and frequent radio guest of DJ's nationwide as both a singer and a scientist, and was recently featured on Fox News Network's Strategy Room. Andrew Heller and his wife MaryAnn Heller reside in Austin, Texas.

All music is available on the artist's website at www.heller.com, www.diamondisc.com, iTunes, www.Amazon.com, www.borders.com, www.CDuniverse.com, www.Bestbuy.com, www.CDbaby.com, and many other online stores. Call 866.943.9393 to purchase.

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Contact: Betsyann Faiella
310.283.2415

March 1- Austin, TX - Andrew Heller, recording artist and scientist, has been chosen to represent Austin at the Austin Sister Cities International Music Concert on March 18, the opening day of the SXSW Music and Media Conference. The event begins at 5:00 PM in Brush Square Park at the West Tent Stage, a major hub of activity for the SXSW Conference. Heller will open the private, promotional event with an approximate 20 minute show beginning at 5 pm, CST. Bands from all over the world who are participating in the conference will perform at the event, which is an official party sanctioned and promoted by SXSW. This event is hosted by the International Hospitality Council of Austin (IHCA) and produced by it's President Adrienne Carter on behalf of the City of Austin and fellow non-profits the Austin Sister Cities, with partners that include DiamonDisc Records, Academy for Global Studies, and Huston-Tillotson University. Austin sister cities include: Adelaide, Australia: Antalya, Turkey; Koblenz, Germany; Saltillo, Mexico; Old Orlu, Nigeria; Lesotho, Maseru; Lima, Peru; Oita, Japan; Taichung, Taiwan; Xishuangbanna, China and Gwangmyeong, Korea. Potential sister cities include: Kristiansand, Norway. This year the show will feature bands from the countries of Japan, Mexico, and Norway. The final lineup includes: Andrew Heller (Austin), Grande (Norway), Natccu (Japan), Love:Fi (Norway), and Los Fancy Free (Mexico).

Andrew Heller's recently released CD, I Believe In Angels (DiamonDisc Records), has produced several Top 50 singles on the Christian Country charts, including the current single, "Tell Me More."

The unusual Heller is a world-renowned scientific engineer who recently returned to singing after many years in the high tech spotlight. In January, he performed at two historic events in the U.S. capital: on January 19, at Howard University's 23rd Annual Jazz, Blues, and Gospel Festival honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,and on January 20 at The Presidential Inaugural Gala at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Heller works with ensembles as varied as Austin Symphony, the Philadelphia Philharmonic, and the iconic Western Swing band The Texas Playboys. He has released six full length recordings, and with his wife, Mary Ann Heller, runs an exclusive record label with a tasty catalog including music from Willie Nelson/Don Cherry, 2009 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Charlie McCoy and the late Boots Randolph.

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CONTACT BETSYANN FAIELLA
310.283.2415

New York -April 24- Austin based singer and Power Source 100 Artist, Andrew Heller, will appear at Long Island's Hofstra University on June 7, 2009 in:

Very Good Years: A 90th Birthday Tribute to Ervin Drake

Heller will be singing the beloved Drake-penned classic, "I Believe" as well as "One God," previously recorded by both Johnny Mathis and Barbra Streisand. Both songs appear on Heller's Inspirational CD, I BELIEVE IN ANGELS (DiamonDisc). Heller's "I Believe" was recorded with the Jordanaires, as it was on the recording by Elvis Presley.

I BELIEVE IN ANGELS is an unusual CD, noted for its danceable songs dealing with God and faith, and is often described as "Inspirational Swing." "I Believe" and "Tell Me More" have risen to #20 and #18, respectively on Nashville's Power Source 100 Inspirational Chart since the CD's release, and "I Believe" was #1 for months on The Midwest Big Band Swing chart. Heller re-entered show business in 2004 after a storied career as a scientific engineer. His years as the President of IBM's Independent Business unit and his later work as a venture capitalist have been written about extensively in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, to name a few publications.

Composer Ervin Drake is well known for "I Believe" and his composition "It Was A Very Good Year," one of Frank Sinatra's most iconic recordings. Another well-known Drake composition, "Good Morning Heartache" is closely associated with Ms. Billie Holiday. A lineup of Mr. Drake's favorite entertainers will be on hand to celebrate his 90th Year (official birthday was April 3), including Andrew Heller and New York performers KT Sullivan, Gregory Generet and Gary Fields.

Very Good Years: A 90th Birthday Tribute to Ervin Drake- will take place at Hofstra University's Monroe Lecture Center Theatre; California Avenue, Hempstead, NY South Campus; Sunday afternoon, June 7 at 2 PM. Duration: 2 hours. Ticket Range: $20, seniors $17.

Event Website: http://www.hofstra.edu/events/eventshow.cfm?id=9441

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FOR PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT: BETSYANN FAIELLA at 310.283.2415

June 20 – Austin, TX- On July 5th, Austin tenor Andrew Heller will be appearing at the 39th Annual International Festival-Institute at Round Top (TX). Heller, a classically trained pop balladeer who specializes in the Great American Songbook, will appear in the Patriotic Concert at Festival Concert Hall at 3:00 PM. The concert will be conducted by Garrett Keast, the young conductor named "a conductor to watch" by Symphony Magazine's 2009 Guide to Emerging Artists. Andrew Heller returned to the music world in 2004 after several decades as a tech guru. He is a world renowned scientific engineer who was the President of IBM's Independent Business Unit, and is the youngest IBM Fellow ever named.

Before he launched his tech career, Heller was a young professional singer who sang many lead roles in New York at Marble Collegiate Church and St. Patrick's Cathedral. He won the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Auditions as a youth. In 2003, Heller's wife Mary Ann persuaded him to make a recording to document his outstanding voice, and Heller has made a new career in the entertainment business since then. His latest CD, I BELIEVE IN ANGELS, has produced several top 20 singles on the Power Source Country, Christian Country and Inspirational Music Charts. He is enjoying nationwide airplay with his unique brand of Inspirational Swing.

On June 7, Heller appeared at Hofstra University in a tribute concert to composer Ervin Drake. Drake's classic songs, "I Believe" and "One God" appear on I BELIEVE IN ANGELS.

Founded in 1971 by world-renowned concert pianist James Dick, the International Festival-Institute at Round Top and the James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts, began with a handful of gifted young pianists in rented space on the town square, and has grown into an internationally acclaimed Europeanstyled music institute for aspiring young musicians and distinguished faculty. For additional information on the festival, call: 979.249.3129 or go online to: www.festivalhill.org.