LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 19, 2012) - Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart surprised Foreigner's leader and founder Mick Jones when he presented him with three platinum and one gold award for sales of Foreigner's hit singles "I Want To Know What Love Is," "Waiting For A Girl Like You," "Hot Blooded," and "Juke Box Hero" during the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Gala at Texas Motor Speedway. A new millennium testament to the current value of these classic hits is that more than half of the sales that contributed to the awards were digital downloads registered since 2004.
In addition to the platinum and gold awards, Jones added another on the evening that recognized Foreigner's generosity toward Speedway Children's Charities-Texas Chapter. Speedway Children's Charities, which put on the Hall of Fame fundraiser, presented Jones on behalf of Foreigner with the Maj. General Thomas Sadler Award. The award is given for humanitarian efforts that go above and beyond to assist Speedway Children's Charities in their mission to assist children in North Texas.
"It was a tremendous surprise to have Mick on hand to accept the Maj. General Thomas Sadler Award," Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said. "Foreigner has appeared at more NASCAR related events than any other top Classic Rock band and has been a generous friend to Speedway Children's Charities. Just earlier this week they did a benefit acoustic concert for them. Tony's presentation of the three platinum and one gold award to Mick was quite a treat for the Hall of Fame audience and Texas Motor Speedway. I was particularly delighted to see Foreigner's 'Hot Blooded' get the platinum recognition it deserved, especially since Texas Motor Speedway has a unique 'No Limits' version of 'Hot Blooded' as its theme for the entire 2012 season."
The band's debut smash "Feels Like The First Time" hit the charts 35 years ago this month, and Foreigner announced an exciting new technology contest that invites fans to win prizes by tagging 35 years of hits hidden in a fun internet short. James Cooper of JWT said, "We had a great idea to tag song titles in films, but there was no technology that would allow us to do it. Rather than an expensive media buy, we searched for a partner that we could work with to build it ourselves. We found Viddler, a startup as hungry as us to bring this new technology to life."
Mick, who wrote "Feels Like The First Time," "I Want To Know What Love Is" and co-wrote and co-produced every Foreigner hit, made the journey to Texas while recovering from his recent arterial leg surgery. "I hope to be back in the saddle soon, but nothing could keep me away from this event!" said Mick. "It is a thrill for us to be part of the NASCAR firmament and a particular honor to have one of my personal heroes, Tony Stewart, present us with these awards. Our race day appearances started right here at the Texas Motor Speedway in the spring of 2009, and they have become a highlight in our touring season. NASCAR fans are our kind of people."
"Juke Box Hero" is the band's first all-digital sales award. Foreigner has nine Recording Industry Association of America certified platinum and multi platinum awards. Foreigner, Double Vision, Head Games, 4, Agent Provocateur, Inside Information, Records, The Very Best...and Beyond and Complete Greatest Hits have all been certified. Now these three singles are added to Foreigner's platinum tally.
"Foreigner has some of the most enduring songs in the history of rock music, so it's no surprise that these legendary tracks continue to have success in the digital world," said Kevin Gore, President & CEO of Rhino Entertainment. "Mick Jones' songwriting and production have combined to create lasting music that still resonates with new audiences every year. I suspect we'll see more Foreigner hits achieving similar certifications very soon."
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