Teen Singer Rici Jo Launches CD at Iconic Peaches Records Store in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, LA--(Marketwire - Apr 27, 2012) - Aaron Neville of the Neville Brothers first sold his music in Peaches Records Store. Countless other local musicians have gotten their start selling their tunes here. Now the record store is showcasing a promising new talent, New Orleans-based teen sensation Rici Jo, hosting her CD launch parties here on April 28 and May 5.

What makes 16 year old Rici Jo's story a little different from most other musicians' is that while she hails from the town of sugary beignets, she has type 1 diabetes, so she needs a steady stream of insulin in order to keep singing out strong.

"I've had a passion for singing since I was a little child," said Rici Jo. But when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 11 years old, she was forced to ask some difficult questions about her budding career. "I wasn't sure how I would ever be able to perform on the road with those packed schedules, while managing my diabetes. I would not be here today without the help of friends and family and the encouragement I have received from everyone along the way. I am so excited and honored to be supported by a music institution like Peaches Records."

"We are thrilled to have Rici Jo's music and merchandise sold here," stated Ms. Shirani Rea, co-founder and owner of Peaches Records. "Our mission has always been to support native Louisianan musicians and help increase their profiles. With Rici Joe, Peaches continues the record store's long history of providing local singers a platform to reach and inspire others with their music."

Rici manages her diabetes with the world's first tubeless insulin pump called the OmniPod. "I love that my OmniPod is so discreet that it doesn't impact my wardrobe choices. In an industry where image is important, that makes a big difference," said Rici Jo. "The OmniPod is so easy to use, it really makes my diabetes much less of a hassle. Now I can just concentrate on my music."

And that's something to sing about.

The public is invited to Rici Jo's two CD launch parties hosted by Peaches Records on April 28, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.; and on May 5^th from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

For more information on Rici Jo, please go to:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RiciJoMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/rici_jo
Web site: http://ricijo.com/

About Peaches Records
Located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, internationally known and founded by Harris and Shirani Rea in 1975, Peaches Records exists as a place for up and coming local artists. It's the place where Aaron Neville first sold his music. Rea's vision was to create a place for New Orleans musicians to get their music out to the rest of the world. For more information you may call (504) 282-3322 or visit them located on 408 N. Peters St. New Orleans.

About Type 1 Diabetes (from the American Diabetes Association)
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Only 5-10% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children with type 1 diabetes can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy, happy lives.

About the OmniPod
The OmniPod Insulin Management System is the world's first tubeless insulin pump. The OmniPod offers people living with insulin-requiring diabetes all the benefits of insulin pump therapy, with freedom and ease. The tubing-free OmniPod insulin pump has just two easy-to-use parts: the discreet, waterproof Pod, which automatically inserts and can be worn on many parts of the body to hold and deliver insulin; and the Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM), a hand-held device that wirelessly programs the Pod, calculates suggested doses and has a built-in blood glucose meter. For more information on the OmniPod insulin pump, please visit: http://www.myomnipod.com.