Get Served with 3 of the hottest acts Omarion, Marques Houston, Avant

The Get Served Tour is set to be one of the biggest urban dance and music tours to hit Australia, featuring three of urban music's most popular artists: Omarion, Marques Houston and Avant, live for the very first time in Australia. In a mind-blowing stage show featuring a fully choregraphed dance show over a massive 2 hour performance which will feature a full-scale sound, lighting and stage show designed to provide an unrivalied experience.

OMARION

At 21 years old, with music, television, book publishing and movie credits under his belt, Omarion's growth, maturity and depth are showcased on his sophomore, Epic / Sony Urban, solo effort aptly titled, 21. Of the album concept he acknowledges, "everyone can relate because it's a memorable time. It's a universal topic. It's a celebration."

While the number twenty-one is symbolic of the card game Black Jack, it also is representative of the numberyoung people aspire to become and the reflective age that older folks wish they could return to. "The thing is - it's control. When you reach 21, you're buying property, you're setting your life up- it's a different place. You feel stable mentally. At 18 - 19, you're so confused. To me, at 21, it was kind of a realization of who I want tobecome - just me practicing my morals as a man and getting better in my craft." Being able to clearly articulate his thoughts, Omarion is not a kid anymore. Aware of his maturation, "as I grow older and in my craft, who Iwant to be as an artist and the guys I looked up to, it just meshes into one thing and that's a period of time, andthat period is now. I can definitely say when people hear the music I hope that they feel the same thing that I feel."

21 showcases Omarion the grown man, in his own words. It's a personal testimony to his life and development up to this juncture on this journey. "I feel like this time around with me writing on pretty much everything, it's personal. Every situation on the album has personally happened to me. It's me. I loved making my music, especially with the producers." With contributions from super-producers Pharrell, The Underdogs, Bryan

Michael Cox and a new young cat named Eric Hudson, whom Omarion describes as "my Teddy Riley," O is asconfident as he is comfortable about the body of work he's created this time around.

The first single 'Entourage,' produced by Eric Hudson, blends O's memorable yet danceable chorus with catchylyrics. The up-tempo groove feels like 'Touch' from his debut, however as Omarion requests a young lady'spresence in circle, he's very clear on how he wants to treat her once she makes it to the inner circle. "Show me something different than what you have to offer physically. It's all about what a woman says, how she speaks,how she carries herself, how she respects herself, how she respects her mother and her father."

The second single, 'Icebox,' produced by Timbaland, delivers dark engraining beats that draws listeners closerto Omarion's experience in a fading relationship and illustrates how he deals the challenges of the commitment. Omarion emotionally describes the place that a broken relationship would put him in and how this experiencewould turn a soft heart into an 'Icebox.'

The topic of love makes a return guest appearance throughout 21. Navigating through a plethora of situationsand tempos, Omarion not only wanted to open up and explore the full range of emotions in his mind, spirit andpsyche, but also his heart. "When any artist tries to make a classic album, they try to make it from their heartand relay it from situations that everybody can relate to, and just make good music. That's the same thing I triedto do, but I took the elements of old school because I remember how it used to make me feel when I heard asong." Influenced by Teddy Pendergrass, Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind & Fire, 21 is music you can feel.

Omarion's clarity speaks volumes about his awareness for what the listener needs, adding, "when you're tellinga story, in order for it to be a great story, it has to have depth- a beginning, middle and an end. With creating mymusic, that's what I felt like, I wanted to create wholeness. I don't think artists express themselves enoughsometimes." Nothing could be more expressive to O than the Pharrell produced 'Lisa.' At the time it was created, Omarion was involved in a relationship and once it ended, O felt like the song explained the entiresituation as if he spoke it into existence.

Focusing on his craft is at the forefront of Omarion's world, however maintaining that professional and personalbalance is a key component in his process. "A lot of people are surprised that I say I want to settle down soon. When you've been in the industry as long as I have, you're not looking for the one night fling, at least I'm not. I'm looking for a potential wife to spend time with. Even if it's just friendship in the beginning, I'm not looking to rush. You travel years and years on the road, and you want to have someone that you can count on and bethere for you."

On the Eric Hudson track 'Been With A Star,' Omarion's impetus was marrying his industry relationships withhis traditional values. Citing Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith as the 'power couple' that continues to make it work,his experiences have led him to gravitate toward 'normal' women. "When you introduce her to a life in the rightway, and she's equip to handle it, she's equip being around other stars and not really caring because she knowswhere her respect and her love lies, it's so dope because you feel like you're introducing her to another world, soshe can appreciate it differently."

The Underdogs contributed a few of Omarion's favorite tracks. 'Midnight,' is a concept song cleverlyexplaining everything that happens leading up to the clock striking 12, and everything that unfolds afterwards.

'Wrong For Me,' speaks to O's attraction to a girl that is conscious of her incorrect motives, yet he remainsaddicted to her. 'Do It,' is O's self-professed 'song.' Describing it as "bouncy, clever and fresh, most girls feellike if you give them some type of attention, it's because of how they look, and that's not always the case." Admiring Michael Jackson's artistry, "I want to be recognized and respected the way he has." With 'Electric,' "Ifelt like that was my `Rock with You". The changes in the tempo of the Eric Hudson track continue to allowOmarion's dance ability and passion to take over.

Fueled with passion and honesty, 21 has Omarion breaking out of the pop-teen idol mold and moving into his grown man status. Recognizing the biggest misconception about him, "people still have their doubts or are in limbo that I'm real. When you mention anyone that has longevity, you can hate, but that's who they are. I hope that with this album I can prove that your boy ain't going nowhere, I'm here to stay."

Stepping into the lead role of a yet-to-be-titled Jennifer Lopez Production movie, O is getting his chops wet, stretching his acting muscles as 'Rob', a frustrated New York rapper who encounters a myriad of obstacles onhis journey to forgiveness. Admittedly a little nervous, Omarion is confident that this is 'another step' in the process.

As 21 reflects the man that Omarion has become, he is optimistic and clear about his role. "I just want people tofeel when they hear my music that it's real. It's not because I want to be famous or better than anybody, this ismy God given talent and this is in my heart to do, and it's ok! I want to have my humility and be respecteddifferently than most guys in the entertainment business. One day if I decided to become an executive, that itwas ok for me to have a wife and be a Christian man, believe in God and as far as spirituality, be ok! It's ok to be who you are. Ultimately I want to be an example, that's what I mean by it's ok." Twenty-one, is a great age to be.

MARQUES HOUSTON

Many know him as a key member of IMX (formerly Immature), as one of the stars of the hit television series"Sister, Sister" and for his credits on albums by hit-makers such as B2K and Destiny's Child. Now, with therelease of his first T.U.G./A&M/Interscope Records solo album, 21-year old Marques 'Batman' Houston isstepping out to showcase the full range of his skills as a singer, songwriter and producer. "It's not too 'left' fromwhat I've done before with IMX," he says. "The difference is that this album is more about my own personalfeelings and situations I've been in." The lead off single, the lilting groove-flavored "That Girl" produced byKowan "Q" Paul is a prime example: "I love what the song is saying: it's about a guy who admits he looks atothers but he's reassuring his girl that she really is the only one. I can relate to that_nd to other tunes on thealbum like the ballad "Love Is A Game" and "Acting Up," which has almost like a rock edge to it."

With strong cuts like "Walk Away" and "The Grass Is Greener," MH displays Marques' vocal maturity and headmits that working on his first solo project was a real learning experience. "My manager Chris Stokes has beenmy mentor since I first started out in this business and when we were preparing to do the album, we agreed thatit should be an opportunity for me to show my strength as a singer" Marques says. "Then, producers like KennyWhitehead really pushed me vocally and I'm happy he did." Tunes like the acoustically-flavored "Alone" and theupbeat cut "I Like It Like That" which features rapper Mila J give the multi-talented performer to shinemusically. "This is the first time I've worked with some of the producers, like Kenny (of The WhiteheadBrothers) and Troy Taylor," says Marques, one of the hit-making four-man writing and production team knownas Platinum Status. "It was challenging but that's what I enjoyed about it."

Stating clearly that "I'm stepping out to do something on my own but I'm still a part of IMX," Marques reflectsthat the decision to start a solo project began to take form when he was working with fellow group membersRomeo and LDB on IMX's self-titled 2001 album. "It all fell into place and I told Chris (Stokes) that I wanted toshow the world what I could do. He asked me if I was absolutely sure and I told him I was positive, I was readyto do this." After speaking with Interscope executives Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair, Marques began working onhis much-anticipated solo project prior to hitting the road with the "Scream 2" tour (which featured IMX, B2Kand Lil Bow Wow) in July 2002. "I did a few songs when we had a break in Atlanta and as soon as the tourstopped in October, I went right back into the studio to finish the record"

In between times, Marques was busy with the other members of Platinum Status completing work on B2K'ssophomore album, Pandemonium! His involvement with the group pre-dates the release of their 2001 debutalbum since two members, Omarion and J-Boog are related to him: Omarion is his younger brother while J-Boogis his cousin. As COO of The Ultimate Group management team, Marques has been actively working with B2Kfor the past few years, passing on the invaluable experience he's gained through his years with Immature/IMX.

A young 'vet' in the music industry, Marques got his first taste of fame when Immature hit the charts in 1992with "Tear It Up" from the soundtrack of the movie "Bebe's Kids." The L.A. trio's debut Virgin Records On OurWorst Behavior created an immediate stir among young record buyers. But it was the 1994 MCA follow-upPlaytyme, featuring the Top 5 pop and R&B hit gold single "Never Lie" and a second gold single, "Constantly" that took Immature into the mainstream marketplace. Subsequent MCA albums (1995's We Got It and 1997'sThe Journey) kept the group in the forefront and with a name change to IMX, reflecting the group's coming-ofage and creative growth, the team released Introducing IMX in 1999.

Marques, who cites Michael Jackson as his primary musical influence and considers Boyz II Men as the mostimpactful group he heard growing up, started developing his own skills as a writer: Immature's The Journeycontained his song "Alone," a song written in the wake of his mother's passing. After forming the productionteam Platinum Status with the other 2 members of IMX, Jerome "Romeo" Jones, Kelton "LDB" Kessee and ToniScott, Marques got further opportunities to reveal his burgeoning talents. Marques showcased his songwritingand producing talents by working with Platinum Status on Destiny's Child's impressive 1999 album TheWriting's On The Wall and on IMX's 2001 self-titled New Line Records release. "Writing has become like asecond passion for me," says Marques. "I never thought it would develop this way but I've always used reality - based situations and real life subjects as the basis for the songs I write."

Known to fans all over the world as 'Batman'. (A nickname he got "from fooling around one day at a radiostation and putting Batman underwear on my head!"). The multi-faceted young entertainer _(who enjoyed widepopularity for his recurrent role in the WB television series "Sister Sister" which is currently in nationwidesyndication), Marques has taken his writing and producing abilities to a new level with the release of MH. "Myaim has always been to make music that can make a difference in someone's life, and my greatest joy has alwaysbeen knowing that a song I wrote or sung touched someone else. I felt really passionate about making this recordand now I want everyone else to 'feel' it!"

AVANT

In the world of R&B, romance is dead. Listening to the radio and watching videos will convince even the mostrose-colored dreamers that true love has been replaced by the lustful pursuit of interchangeable sex partners whoare wooed by fancy clothes, liquor and glittering jewelry, then tossed aside like old garbage. Luckily, there arestill singers like Avant who are brave enough to defy conventional thought and resurrect the spirit of romance.

For his fourth album, Director, the velvet voiced singer and songwriter returns with a disc full of movingmelodies and a mission to rep for the real men who aren't afraid to embrace their emotions and love a womanfully and freely. "I think we've lost the chivalry in relationships," says Avant. "Our lifestyles and music havechanged and that makes it hard for some men to understand what a woman really needs."

Avant, a Cleveland Ohio native who still lives in his hometown, learned how to appreciate and admire thestrength and resilience of women who are mothers, sisters and lovers from the most important woman in his life, his mother. "One of the most valuable things my mother taught me is that you can love someone and not expectanything back." As the youngest son in a family of six, he watched his mom sacrifice mightily to provide thebest for her children. Money might have been tight, but her affection never faltered. She encouraged Avant todevelop his musical gifts and played classic R&B artists like Smokey Robinson, The Supremes and MarvinGaye who later influenced his creative direction.Avant loved the great ones, but to him, his uncle, the late Andrew Pittman was the ultimate performer. "My uncle was the inspiration for me to be in the music game doing what I do," he says simply. "I would watch himperform with his group when I was 5 years old and I wanted to be like him." Avant's uncle never made it in therecord business, but Pittman's experience played a huge part in teaching Avant valuable lessons about disciplineand hard work.

At 14, an age when most teen boys are preoccupied with sports, video games and girls, Avant began penning hisown songs. "I started writing songs when I realized the different ways a person can approach love. I had justbegun to understand what love is, and I wanted people to hear my voice and see my vision as an artist." Avanthoned both his vision and his voice at the Cleveland School of the Arts, where he learned to integrate his smoothtenor, songwriting ability and dramatic flair into a sultry stage persona. Avant entered and won innumerabletalent shows, but unfortunately, Cleveland just couldn't provide any professional outlets for his budding talent.

After graduation, Avant worked a few factory jobs holding fast to his dreams of music industry success. "Iwould sometimes get discouraged," he admits. "But, I recognized that this was a stepping stone to the next phasein my life." Avant continued to make music, using downtime at work to write material and a friend's studio torecord after hours. "I had a bunch of sleepless nights," laughs Avant, who would often bring a change of clothesand head directly back to work.

His big break came in 1998 when Avant made his professional debut with the independent release of his firstsingle "Separated". Radio embraced the song and the resulting buzz helped the singer land a deal at the nowdefunct label, Magic Johnson Music. His debut album, My Thoughts, sold over a million copies and garnered thesinger legions of devoted fans. His subsequent releases Ecstasy and Private Room were also well received, earning gold plaques, but his career has not been without its share of controversy.

The singer had to contend with critical backlash that much of his style was borrowed from other crooners. Andthough his music was unquestionably well received, even the singer acknowledges that his distinctive musicalgifts weren't always showcased in his earlier material. This time around, Avant assumed more control over hissound and the key people supporting him. He signed with new management and collaborated with a bunch of A-list producers like Jermaine Dupri and Rodney Jerkins to take his sound to the next level.

The result is a fourth album that is his best to date, a replete with dreamy ballads detailing the different stages oflove. Instead of adhering to a cookie cutter soul formula, Avant pours his heart into Director, an album titled tocelebrate his creative control. His lead single "You Know What" is a saucy mid tempo cut featuring Lil' Waynethat skillfully captures the heat-filled first words of a man approaching a sexy female spotted from across theroom. Avant's lyrics create rich visual images that place the listener in the middle of an emotional whirlingvortex.

In "4 minutes", an emotionally powerful slow jam describing a man's attempt to mend a broken relationship, thesinger's desperation and grim realization that the best thing that ever happened to him is about to walk out of hislife forever are tantalizingly present in the lyrics and underscored by a haunting echo and the soft clock ticking.

Avant isn't afraid to get real and describe scenarios without happy endings. In "Right Place, Wrong Time," whenhe sings "Someone else is filling my shoes/but I'm not mad at you/'cause I wasn't there/now he's taking myplace," he assumes responsibility for the break-up and acknowledges his ex-lover's right to move on. Thesinuous bassline of "Mr. Dream" charms listeners and compliment Avant's lyrics, which seductively chastise awoman for chasing an elusive Casanova and ignoring his very real affections, while the lush melodies of"Imagination" reinforce his promise to fulfill all fantasies.Avant's Director proclaims a grown and sexy love between consenting adults that is both uplifting and mutuallysatisfying. It's obvious that Avant knows how to treat a woman and now he wants to share his knowledge withthe fellas. "I try to talk about things that guys need when smoothing over the situations that arise inrelationships," Avant reveals. "Sometimes, guys do crazy things, but deep down they know that if they have theright woman, they should try to please her." With his latest release, Avant has the experience and accolades forthe job as Director and most importantly the power of his magical soothing vocal and lyrical abilities to put thelove back into lovemaking.

AUS TOUR DATES:
7th Nov - Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
8th Nov - Entertainment Centre, Sydney
9th Nov - Vodafone Arena, Melbourne

TICKETING INFO:
The 1st ticket sale date will be 24th September 2007
The release date for all tickets will be 28th September 2007
All ticketing through Ticketek: http://www.ticketek.com.au or 13 28 49