Toxic Audio Shares in Hair Benefit Concert Album's Grammy Nod

Ghostlight Records released a CD of the benefit concert of the musical, Hair¸ which was announced as one of five nominated for Best Musical Show Album in the 48th Annual Grammy Awards.  The winner will be announced February 8, 2006.  Toxic Audio's performance of the song, "Electric Blues," is featured alongside performances by Harvey Fierstein, Jai Rodriguez, Billy Porter, John Tartaglia, Ana Gasteyer and others.  The concert originally took place at New York City's New Amsterdam Theater. 

"That show supported a great cause, and we had a lot of fun sharing the stage with so many talented entertainers," said Toxic Audio co-creator, Rene Ruiz. "The fact that it has been recognized by the Grammys and at the same time, gives us our first Grammy nomination, is an unexpected honor which makes that concert even more special for us." 

Toxic Audio picked up a 2004 Drama Desk Award for "Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience" for their extended Off-Broadway run where their show was rated Number One in the Wall Street Journal/Zagat Theatre Survey surpassing Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.  The group just completed a three month stint at the Luxor Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV and they will be bringing their critically acclaimed show to Japan for a six week tour beginning in January.  Their most recent album, Word of Mouth, is available on DRG Records.

The six members of Toxic Audio (René Ruiz, Michelle Mailhot-Valines, Jeremy James, Shalisa James, Paul Sperrazza, and sound man John A. Valines III) "merge their considerable talents for an explosion of vocal acrobatics, unstoppable rhythm and improv comedy in a show which takes the audience on an unforgettable musical journey which defies definition.   They use no instruments other than their own voices to create complex sonic textures which sound amazingly like a full band is on stage backing their astounding harmonies," state press notes.

For more information, visit www.toxicaudio.com.