Billboard Magazine
May 8, 2004

Classical Score: by Anastasia Tsioulcas

PBS Presents: Dutch violinist and "Waltz King" Andre Rieu is a familiar face on public TV. His most recent program, "Live in Dublin," was PBS's most profitable arts fare in its August and December 2003 pledge drives.

A consortium of local PBS affiliates is taking advantage of Rieu's popularity to create a new and robust kind of partnership: For the first time, these local stations are entirely underwriting and supporting Rieu's current tour, the first such sponsorship of any artist.

"This is a great opportunity for everyone," says Steve Vining, president of Savoy Label Group (which includes Denon, Rieu's label). "It reflects the stations' interest in having a more direct connection with their audiences, and it creates a new business model for artists."

The tour, which started last month and runs through May 11, hits 15 North American cities.