New Public Television Fundraising Special to Feature Don Cornelius’ Soul Train

Performance special features soul superstars such as The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown

BOSTON (Feb. 3, 2012) – American Public Television (APT), a leading distributor of programming to the nation's public television system, will release THE BEST OF SOUL TRAIN for fundraising on public television stations beginning March 1, 2012 (check local listings). With the recent death of the series' executive producer, Don Cornelius, THE BEST OF SOUL TRAIN provides a unique tribute to this visionary who showcased African American talent in a way no other program has.

Offered to public television stations across the country by APT’s Premium Service division, THE BEST OF SOUL TRAIN celebrates more than 35 years of iconic performances from soul superstars and highlights classic musical and dance moments from the series. Featured songs include: “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (Aretha Franklin), “Dance to the Music” (Sly and the Family Stone), “I Want You Back” (The Jackson Five), “Let's Get It On” (Marvin Gaye), and a medley of hits by Stevie Wonder.

Soul Train was one of the longest-running, first-run, nationally syndicated programs in American television history. Created by African American music pioneer Don Cornelius, the show began its run on Chicago’s WCIU-TV in 1970 and quickly became a huge success, expanding to a national broadcast in 1971 with Cornelius as executive producer, writer, and host. Known for his deep voice, stylish suits, and plenty of charm, Cornelius was the ideal host. He left Soul Train in 1993 and passed away in 2012. He will be remembered for his commitment to African American performers and as a pop culture icon for years to come.

THE BEST OF SOUL TRAIN is supplied by WTVS/Detroit Public Television in association with APT’s Premium Service, a co-production, co-financing and acquisition fund that makes fundraising and performance specials available to member public television stations. Now entering its 23rd season, Premium Service has brought more than 260 specials to public television stations, from THE THREE TENORS to more recently released programs such as Frank Sinatra in THE RAT PACK: LIVE AND SWINGIN’, and the upcoming DIANA ROSS: LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK.

About APT
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading distributor of high-quality, top-rated programming to America’s public television stations since 1961. In 2010, APT distributed nearly half of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles. Among its 300 new program titles per year are prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramatic series, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies, including For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots, A Ripple of Hope, Rick Steves' Europe, Newsline, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, America's Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Lidia's Italy, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, Murdoch Mysteries, Doc Martin, Rosemary & Thyme, The Rat Pack: Live and Swingin’, Johnny Mathis: Wonderful, Wonderful! and John Denver: The Wildlife Concert. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. In 2006, APT launched Create® – the TV channel featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming. APT is also a partner in the WORLD™ channel expansion project including its web presence at WORLDcompass.org. For more information about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org. For more information on Create, visit CreateTV.com.

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