***
The Annual Event Raises Money To Provide Toys
For Thousands of Children Who Are In Orphanages,
Hospitals And Shelters All Over The Country
Legendary Motown songwriter Ron Miller passed away in 2007, but his musical spirit will be very much in the house at Stevie Wonder’s 15th Annual House Full of Toys Benefit Concert on Saturday, December 18 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
His grandson, 10-year-old triple threat prodigy Oliver Richman, will perform Miller’s “One Little Christmas Tree” which was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967 as well as the songwriter’s classic, “Someday At Christmas” from Wonder’s only Christmas album of the same title. Miller wrote some of Wonder’s biggest early hits such as “For Once In My Life,” “Heaven Help Us All,” “A Place In The Sun” and “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday.”
Richman’s newly released remake of “One Little Christmas Tree” made its debut on YouTube and his website (www.oliverrichman.com) November 15. Earlier this fall, Oliver created major industry buzz with his release of “Defying Gravity,” which has been viewed on YouTube over 22,300 times.
Wonder invited Oliver to perform at the star-studded charity event after hearing his recording of “One Little Christmas Tree.”
In addition, Lisa Dawn Miller, Ron Miller’s daughter and Oliver’s mother, will perform the poignant “If I Could,” another much recorded standard from her father’s catalog.
The family connections don’t stop there. Oliver’s stepfather and Lisa’s husband is writer/producer/actor Sandy Hackett, son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett, who starred in “Muscle Beach Party”—the 1964 Annette Funicello-Frankie Avalon romp which marked the film debut of none other than “Little Stevie Wonder.”
Sandy and Lisa are also producers of “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show,” which performs six nights a week at the Riviera Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The show will have two companies performing as it launches its national tour for the 2011-2012 theater season.
Oliver’s upcoming appearances include singing the National Anthem for the L.A. Derby Dolls on December 4 and “One Little Christmas Tree” on Las Vegas’ Fox 5’s “The MORE Show” (KVVU-TV) on December 8, along with a special performance at Sam’s Town Live - Las Vegas with Sandy Hackett, Steve Rossi and Lisa Dawn Miller.
Produced by Wonder Productions, Inc., Stevie’s 15th Annual House Full of Toys Benefit Concert also features special guests Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Eric Benet, Melanie Fiona and Janelle Monae…with more “Wondermagic” to come.
Tickets are on sale now at TicketMaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000. Donations may be made to the We Are You Foundation.
]]>***
The Young Singing Sensation
Set To Perform On Fox’s MORE Show
(KVVU-TV) In Las Vegas December 8
Just in time for the holidays, emerging ten-year-old phenomenon Oliver Richman is celebrating the debut of his new music video “One Little Christmas Tree,” set for release November 15 on YouTube and his website (www.oliverrichman.com).
Originally recorded by Stevie Wonder, “One Little Christmas Tree” was penned by the singer’s late grandfather, legendary Motown songwriter Ron Miller.
The young prodigy will also be making numerous appearances throughout the Los Angeles and Las Vegas areas this holiday season to perform his new song, including a television appearance on Fox’s MORE show (KVVU-TV) in Las Vegas on Wednesday, December 8.
Earlier this fall, Richman created major industry buzz with “Defying Gravity,” a beautifully produced video of Richman singing the showstopper from the hit musical “Wicked.” The YouTube clip has now been viewed more than 19,000 times.
Oliver has been entertaining audiences for several years with his powerful voice, energetic stage presence and diverse dancing and acting strengths. The video is designed as a professional introduction to his multitude of talents, just as the early YouTube clips of pop sensation Justin Bieber were instrumental to launching his career.
One of the songs Bieber recorded early on, in fact, was “Someday at Christmas,” another classic Stevie Wonder hit written by Ron Miller. The teen star was invited to the White House to sing it for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
While Oliver has the charisma, charm and ambition to become a musical force of nature all on his own, there’s no denying the musical creativity in his genes. Ron Miller has penned some of the biggest hit songs in history recorded by legendary recording artists around the world, including “For Once In My Life,” “Touch Me In The Morning,” and “A Place In the Sun,” “Heaven Help Us All,” “Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday,” “I’ve Never Been To Me” and “If I Coud,” to name a few. In 2007, Ron was awarded (posthumously) the Heroes and Legends Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting.
Oliver’s mother, Lisa Dawn Miller, is a successful singer, writer and producer. His stepfather, Sandy Hackett (son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett) is a well-known comedian, actor, writer and producer. Sandy and Lisa are the producers of “Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show,” currently running fulltime on the Las Vegas Strip at the Riviera Hotel & Casino and in theaters across the country.
Oliver has made numerous special guest appearances in the show and is currently preparing for his upcoming role as “Young Frank Sinatra.”
]]>