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A Classic Pair: AARP, Tony Bennett announce tour...Tony Bennett and 'The Best is Yet to Come' 20-City Tour marks first for 37- million-member organization

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- AARP, the nation's largest membership organization, today announced its exclusive presenting sponsorship of Tony Bennett and "The Best Is Yet to Come" concert tour. The tour -- the first concert partnership of its kind for AARP -- will launch in early 2007 and visit 20 cities across the United States.

The Tony Bennett and "The Best Is Yet To Come Tour" will feature the legendary, 13-time Grammy winner performing from his repertoire of the Great American Songbook, including hits from his new CD, "Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic."

In the Duets CD, Bennett sings with such legends as Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bono, Billy Joel, the Dixie Chicks, Christina Aguilera, k.d. lang, Diana Krall and John Legend.

"AARP is thrilled to be Tony Bennett's newest duet partner," said Shereen Remez, group executive officer for Member Value at AARP. "In fact, Tony is the perfect musical ambassador for AARP. He proves that age is just a number and life is what you make it."

Through its exclusive presenting sponsorship of the Tony Bennett and "The Best is Yet to Come Tour," AARP members may receive special opportunities, such as the chance to see Bennett live at various AARP events. AARP members may also receive discounted concert tickets and backstage access to the star. Plans are also in the works for a sweepstakes in which a lucky AARP member could win a live Tony Bennett concert at their home.

"The new relationship between AARP and Tony Bennett goes beyond a standard tour sponsorship," said Remez. "It provides unique and exclusive opportunities for our members to see and hear a real living legend."

The collaboration is part of a broader effort by AARP to use the power of music to forge an emotional connection with its members. The association is developing a musical signature for the AARP brand, as well as additional concert sponsorships. In fact, Elton John performed at AARP's Life@50plus member event this October and next year's event in Boston will feature performances by Rod Stewart and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Bennett's son and manager Danny Bennett, the force behind the artist's success and his appeal to younger audiences, praised the partnership and commended AARP for embracing the power of music. Calling Bennett's music "the soundtrack for change," he said the AARP effort will particularly resonate with baby boomers.

"Music is an inspirational force that infuses one with a passion and reminds each and every one of us how important it is to embrace life and live it to its fullest," he said. "This is a generation who is determined to stay forever young at heart and realizes that the best is yet to come."

For more details on the tour, visit http://www.aarp.org/tonybennett

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 plus have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. It produces "AARP The Magazine," published bimonthly; "AARP Bulletin," its monthly newspaper; "AARP Segunda Juventud," its bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; "NRTA Live & Learn," the quarterly newsletter for 50 plus educators; and its Web site, http://www.AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. It has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.