BW&BK; has received the following press release:

After a successful summer festival tour, classic AOR band ASIA Featuring John Payne is scheduled to release their Military Man EP in the USA via Voiceprint Records on October 27th, 2009. The 5-song EP features new versions of 'Military Man' and 'Long Way Home' as well as the song 'Neurosaur', penned by Asia Featuring John Payne keyboardist Erik Norlander. Along with Payne (vocals and bass), and Norlander (keyboards), the EP features Guthrie Govan on guitars and Jay Schellen on drums.

Asia Featuring John Payne drew crowds in record numbers at numerous shows such as the Valley Cultural Arts Center in Woodland Hills, CA throughout their summer tour. "I was extremely happy with the welcome we received at our USA shows this year," remarks frontman/bassist John Payne. "Let's do it again next year!" The band went so far as to secure an upcoming encore performance at the Isle Casino in Biloxi, MS on November 20th thanks to the popularity of their previous show at the establishment earlier this year.

John Payne became the frontman of the supergroup ASIA in 1992 at the invitation of keyboardist Geoff Downes, replacing vocalist/bassist John Wetton. Asia extensively toured the world for the next 14 years performing new classics and old favorites. With John Payne fronting the band, Asia released 8 stunning studio albums and several live recordings. In 2006, Geoff Downes left the band to reform the 1982 line up for their 25th anniversary. On the 9th of May 2006, John Payne, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe contractually agreed that John Payne would continue his 14 year legacy with Asia as Asia Featuring John Payne.

The EP will be released in the US on October 27th. The tracklist is as follows:

'Military Man' (2009 version)

'Long Way From Home (2009 version)

'Neurosaur' (2009 version)

'Military Man' (radio edit)

'Long Way From Home' (radio edit)

For more information on Asia Featuring John Payne please visit www.theasiaband.com and the band's MySpace page.