Photo Credit: Kristie Schram

JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE are proud to share their new single, “Between Two Fires (feat. Kevin Cronin),” taken from the upcoming album, ‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1,’ due out on December 12th via Frontiers Music Srl. The new track arrives alongside a visualizer, available to view below. 

With ‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1,’ JIM PETERIK — Grammy-winning songwriter and founding member of The Ides of March and Pride of Lions and formerly of Survivor — delivers one of his most personal and inspired projects to date. This new chapter in the WORLD STAGE legacy is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of collaboration, where each song becomes a shared story told through harmony, emotion, and musical chemistry.

On “Between Two Fires (feat. Kevin Cronin),” JIM PETERIK shares:
 
“’Between Two Fires’ is one of my favorite song collaborations and vocal duets of all time. Our voices and writing styles have always seemed to blend. In all the many years I have known Kevin, touring with and writing with him, our mutual respect has always shined through.”

Produced by the legendary Ron Nevison, whose name is synonymous with the golden age of AOR thanks to his work with Heart, Foreigner, and countless others, ‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1’ carries the unmistakable warmth and polish of classic rock records, while embracing a sense of intimacy and freshness that speaks to PETERIK’s enduring creative fire.
 
Across ten tracks, ‘The Power of Duets’ showcases PETERIK’s gift for melody and his ability to connect with artists across generations. On the title track “River of Music,” he shares the microphone with his son Colin Peterik, capturing a father-son bond rooted in music. That chemistry returns in “Slow Lightning,” a moment of atmospheric beauty that blends poetic lyrics with cinematic instrumentation. Elsewhere, PETERIK trades verses with REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin on the stirring “Between Two Fires,” and finds common ground with Jason Scheff (formerly of Chicago) in the contemplative “The Cadence of Things.”
 
Vocalist Toby Hitchcock (Pride of Lions) brings fire and range to two standout moments — “Soul of My Being,” a soulful duet with Bree Gordon, and a powerful reinterpretation of the Survivor classic “In Good Faith,” sung alongside rising star Kaity Heart. PETERIK and Kaity Heart also deliver “I’m a Survivor,” an original anthem that echoes the resilience and passion at the core of his songwriting.

Other duets include the radiant “Double Rainbow” with Jefferson Starship’s Cathy Richardson, the emotionally rich “Waiting for You” performed by Dave Mikulskis and Bree Gordon, and the uplifting “Everything You Need,” which reunites JIM and Colin Peterik one more time. Backed by a stellar cast of musicians including drummers Denny Fongheiser and Ed Breckenfeld, bassists Tony Franklin and Bob Lizik, guitarists Phil X and Mike Aquino, and keyboardists Kim Bullard and Jim Peterik, the album is as sonically powerful as it is emotionally resonant.

This is only Volume 1: with Volume 2 already on the horizon, the river of music continues to flow, stronger than ever. JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE remind us that in music, as in life, true power lies in the beauty of connection.

Pre-Order ‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1’ HERE

‘River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1’ Track List:

1. River of Music: Jim Peterik & Colin Peterik
2. Waiting For You: Dave Mikulskis & Bree Gordon
3. The Cadence of Things: Jim Peterik & Jason Scheff
4. Soul of My Being: Toby Hitchcock & Bree Gordon
5. Between Two Fires: Jim Peterik & Kevin Cronin
6. Double Rainbow: Jim Peterik & Cathy Richardson
7. Slow Lightning: Jim Peterik & Colin Peterik
8. In Good Faith: Toby Hitchcock & Kaity Heart
9. I’m a Survivor: Jim Peterik & Kaity Heart
10. Everything You Need: Colin Peterik & Jim Peterik

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JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE concept, rooted in the idea of musical and spiritual collaborations among artists and friends, has announced a new album, ‘Roots & Shoots Vol.1,’ out January 12th, 2024 on Frontiers Music Srl.

Jim about the album:

“’Roots & Shoots’ is my latest collection of new music by what I consider to be the most iconic artists from the classic rock of the 80’s (the Roots) paired with the most exciting new talents I’ve had the pleasure of discovering. I found the same timeless qualities in the Shoots represented on this album. They are all rising stars!”

The first single, “Dangerous Combination” is cowritten Kevin Cronin and Peterik. The track, which features Cronin backed by REO Speedwagon, is accompanied by a new music video.

Kevin comments on the track:

“Jim Peterik and I have been friends since I booked the original Ides of March to play my high school homecoming in 1968. Jimmie is the hardest working musician/songwriter ever, full of positive energy, and a songwriting machine. I dig how ‘Dangerous Combination’ came together and look forward to sharing it with the fans.”

Pre-Order ‘Roots & Shoots Vol.1’: https://orcd.co/jimpeterikworldstage

JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE has spawned a series of extremely well received albums beginning with their legendary self titled debut, featuring partnerships with rock luminaries such as Dennis DeYoung, Kevin Cronin, Johnny Van Zant, Don Barnes, Tom Keifer, and more.

In 2019, the concept reemerged on the ‘Winds of Change’ album, where JIM PETERIK teamed up with legends such as Kevin Chalfant, Dennis DeYoung, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, Kelly Keagy, Mike Reno, Jason Scheff, and others. PETERIK subsequently dedicated an entire album female rockers, resulting in the remarkable ‘Tigress – Women Who Rock the World.’ This album showcased collaborations with outstanding singers and musicians like Jennifer Batten, Chloe Lowery, Rosa Laricchiuta, Chez Kane, and others.

These albums underscore JIM PETERIK’s immense talents, complemented by a roster of renowned singers and musicians. With the new Roots and Shoots album concept, the Chicago-based artist presents two superb albums equally divided between Roots (classic rock stars) and Shoots (emerging rock stars).

In addition to Kevin Cronin and REO Speedwagon, Vol. 1’s notable guests include: Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger), Don Barnes (.38 Special), Mark Farner (Grand Funk), alongside emerging talents like Colin Peterik (Jim’s son!), Ashton Brooke Gill, Paul Childers, Leslie Hunt, Mark Mackay, and a captivating duet between Dave Mikulskis and Lisa McClowry.

WORLD STAGE embodies JIM PETERIK’s outstanding musical legacy, a testament to his songwriting prowess as one of the true icons of melodic rock.

‘Roots & Shoots Vol.1’ Track List
1) Dangerous Combination (feat Kevin Cronin & REO Speedwagon)
2) Before Anyone Knows We’re Gone (feat Colin Peterik)
3) Last Dream Home (feat Don Barnes)
4) Forever’s the Last Place You Look (feat Paul Childers)
5) Mend Fences (feat Kelly Keagy)
6) As I Am (feat Ashton Brooke Gill)
7) Friends Forever (feat Jim Peterik and Mark Farner)
8) Suddenly (feat Leslie Hunt
9) I Found Me (feat Mark Mackay)
10) Fire and Water (feat Lisa McClowry and Mike Mikulskis)
11) Fire and Water (Acoustic Version) Bonus Track Japan

Throughout his career, JIM PETERIK has penned some of rock’s most unforgettable songs, including “Vehicle” by The Ides Of March (where he served as lead vocalist), hits such as “The Search Is Over,” “High On You,” “I Can’t Hold Back,” and classics for .38 Special like “Hold On Loosely,” “Caught Up In You,” “Fantasy Girl,” and “Rockin’ Into The Night.” Peterik also wrote the stellar and well loved song “Eye of the Tiger,” for which he garnered a Grammy win and Oscar nod. He’s also contributed to “Heavy Metal” with Sammy Hagar, among other projects.

Presently, PETERIK is a vital part of Pride of Lions alongside vocalist Toby Hitchcock, enjoying high esteem in the recording artist and songwriting community, not only on the Frontiers Music label, but within the broader melodic rock scene as well.

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