ROD STEWART'S 'MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY' ALBUM FEATURES DAVE KOZ, CHRIS BOTTI, TROMBONE SHORTY & ELLA FITZGERALD

Grammy Award®-winning, two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Rod Stewart, the newest world-class megastar to join the roster of the Verve Music Group, has completed Merry Christmas, Baby, his first Christmas album of his career, it was announced today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Music Group and David Foster, Chairman, Verve Music Group. Foster serves as producer and arranger of Merry Christmas, Baby, which is set to arrive in stores on October 30th and is available for pre-order on iTunes today.

"I have always been tempted to do a Christmas album," said Rod Stewart. "And now that I once again have young children, the timing couldn't be better. Additionally, Merry Christmas, Baby gave me a chance to reunite with David Foster." Added Foster, "And I'm thrilled that this is the first project for both of us on Verve."

Merry Christmas, Baby, an album of standards and traditional songs finds Rod Stewart joined by a number of A-list guests, starting with Michael Buble, who duets with Rod on "Winter Wonderland." "We Three Kings" is a duet with Mary J. Blige; and the title tune "Merry Christmas, Baby" is a duet with Cee-Lo Green featuring New Orleans' favorite son, Trombone Shorty. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" features Dave Koz on saxophone and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" is a very special 'virtual' duet with Ella Fitzgerald featuring Chris Botti.

The balance of the tunes on Merry Christmas, Baby comprise "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," "Blue Christmas," "When You Wish Upon A Star," "Silent Night," and "Auld Lang Syne." The album's one original track, "Red-Suited Super Man," is composed by Rod Stewart, David Foster and Amy Foster and features Trombone Shorty.

As a preview for audiences, Rod Stewart will return to the Home Shopping Network (HSN) on October 26 at 8 p.m. (ET) to kick-off the holidays with the debut of his first-ever holiday CD before its official release on October 30 (Verve Music Group). In 2010, Rod Stewart shattered HSN music records with his exclusive debut of Fly Me To The Moon, selling more than 25,000 units during his one-hour performance. He continues to be the largest selling music artist on HSN.

"We are thrilled to have Rod return to HSN to launch his first holiday CD with us," said Andy Sheldon, EVP of Television, Live Events and Creative for HSN. "Rod knows how to engage an audience with his incredible voice and irresistible charm and we look forward to another successful appearance when he takes the stage with David Foster in October. HSN Live has become a highly respected launch platform within the music industry and we are excited about the high caliber of artists that want to debut their latest projects."

"We are excited to bring Rod Stewart back to the HSN audience," said Mike Rittberg, VP Artist Development & Promotion, Verve Music Group. "They've been a great partner for Rod in the past and this is a great opportunity to showcase Rod's talent and this amazing new CD for millions of fans."

HSN customers will have the opportunity to pre-order an exclusive 2-disc bundle for $14.95 which includes the new release, Merry Christmas, Baby and a "Best Of" CD that features Stewart's greatest hits, including Maggie May, Reason to Believe and Twistin the Night Away.