JERSEY BOYS' John Michael Coppola Releases Single 'New York State of Mind' to Benefit Hurricane Relief

Former Chicago Jersey Boys cast member John Michael Coppola has announced the release of his new digital recording, Billy Joel's New York State Of Mind. All proceeds from the sale of the single will benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the American Red Cross. Coppola's New York State Of Mind can be purchased at www.cdbaby.com. Backed by a five-piece band featuring some of Chicago's top musicians, the track includes musical contributions by Paul Langford (piano), Bob Lizik (bass), Kraig McCreary (guitar), Bob Parlier (drums), and Tom Van Kanegan (sax).

Said Coppola, "Jersey Boys brought my family from New Jersey to Chicago. As much we love it here, a large part of my heart will always belong to New Jersey and my original stomping grounds of New York. Being so far away from the devastation, without being able to physically help, I went to my band here in Chicago with the idea of recording the single to raise desperately needed funds. Everyone donated their time and talent for this cause, and I couldn't be more grateful. The only things bigger than their talent are their hearts."

John Michael Coppola appeared in the Chicago and Las Vegas companies of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, where he was understudy for and performed the role of Frankie Valli of The Four Seasons. For the past 17 years, Coppola has appeared at many of the top regional theatres in the US and Europe in productions such as She Loves Me, 42nd Street, Flight Of The Lawnchair Man, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Forbidden Broadway and Singin' In The Rain. In addition to his time in Jersey Boys, Coppola's Chicago stage credits include the world premiere of the musical For The Boys, The Original Grease, and Annie Get Your Gun. He currently performs his own solo concert, A Jersey Voice: Sinatra to Springsteen ... and Everyone in Between, at venues throughout the United States.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, (CFBNJ) a member of Feeding America, distributed close to 40 million pounds of food in the last year, to help feed 900,000 people in need in 18 of New Jersey's 21 counties. Its staff and volunteers provide food, help and hope through the distribution of food and grocery products, by education and training, and by creating new programs to meet the needs of low-income people. The Community FoodBank recently earned Charity Navigator's highest honor, a four-star rating, for the fourth consecutive year. For more information on the FoodBank and its services, visit www.cfbnj.org.

With its Disaster Relief program, the American Red Cross responds to approximately 70,000 disasters in the United States every year, ranging from home fires that affect a single family, to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands, to earthquakes that impact millions. The Red Cross provides shelter, food, health, and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet. Although the Red Cross is not a government agency, it is an essential part of the response when disaster strikes. For more information on the American Red Cross and its services, visit www.redcross.org.

Coppola's digital single of New York State of Mind is now available at cdbaby.com/cd/johnmichaelcoppola. For more information on John Michael Coppola, visit www.johnmichaelcoppola.com.