BW&BK; has received the following press release:

Classic AOR band ASIA Featuring John Payne has inked a recording deal with Steve Vai's Favored Nations record label. A June/July release is scheduled for the yet-to-be-named CD. Asia Featuring John Payne is currently planning worldwide tourdates to support the new album.

"I am very excited about working with Steve Vai and Dean Schachtel [Favored Nations A&R;]," John Payne states. "Apart from being consummate professionals that I admire and respect, their added knowledge of the business is superlative. In a time of change within this industry and conglomerates run by bean counters, Favored Nations is the ideal company for our music and our future. I could not be more happy with this union."

"The artists signed to Favored Nations are a unique, dedicated breed that have attained the highest performance level on their chosen instruments. If you're a music lover who is passionate about real musicianship, we know you will want to hear our albums. " - Steve Vai, from Favorednations.com

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.

ASIA Featuring John Payne Member Bios

Guitarist Mitch Perry joins Asia Featuring John Payne for the 2009 summer tour. Gold records, sold out concert tours, MTV video and network TV appearances, numerous magazine features and recognition in the form of several guitar awards, over the last 25 years Mitch Perry has accomplished all of the above in a career working alongside some of the most renowned and popular musicians in the world. Mitch's discography and touring experience reads like a who's who of rock ranging from AEROSMITH to MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP to Cher and Edgar Winter. His performances both live and in the studio show him to be a truly world class guitarist. www.myspace.com/mitchperry

Drummer Jay Schellen joined as Asia’s premiere drummer in 2005, toured in Europe with the band and recording the album ASIA Featuring John Payne Extended Versions for Sony in 2006 when he remained with Asia Featuring John Payne. Before joining Asia, Jay played drums for HURRICANE, UNRULY CHILD, BADFINGER and CONSPIRACY with Chris Squire from YES.

Keyboardist Erik Norlander joined Asia Featuring John Payne in November of 2007. Erik's evocative synthesizer technique is reminiscent of the legendary Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson and Jon Lord while still very unique made him an obvious choice for the band. His works include over 25 releases with Lana Lane, ROCKET SCIENTISTS and solo titles.

Vocalist/bassist John Payne fronted Asia for 14 years replacing John Wetton in 1992. 8 studio albums and 6 live albums followed including extensive world touring with the band. In 2006, John formed "ASIA Featuring John Payne" and is performing shows with his current lineup. Previous to ASIA, John sang with Roger Daltrey, CCCP, ELO Part 2 and more recently GPS plus being chosen as the Parson in Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds stadium tour.

For more information about ASIA Featuring John Payne, please visit theasiaband.com and www.myspace.com/asiafeaturingjohnpayne.