Irvine, California * -- Mike Vallely * ("Mike V") has reportedly agreed to record a track for the forthcoming "OP Emerging" CD, a collaboration between Ocean Pacific Apparel Corp. (OP) and Fender Musical Instruments Corp. He will be joining other athlete-musicians on the album, including modern surf legend Donavon Frankenreiter and Anaheim Angels' first baseman Scott Spiezio, as well as winners from an online contest conducted by Fender.

"I'm excited to be a part of the Emerging project because it's about time that the athletes and participants in alternative sports get recognized for what they truly are -- artists," says Vallely. "I don't know a skater who doesn't have other artistic and creative passions. It's in our blood to skate and create."

Vallely, who has been touring the world as a professional skateboarder for the past 17 years, has also written and published his own poetry (he considers himself an "East Coast rebel-punk-poet"); founded and currently manages several of his own skateboard brands; has become a popular speaker at schools and community groups; and has written and recorded music. Additionally, he's starred in ESPN *'s "Tony Hawk *'s Gigantic Skatepark * Tour" and is featured in the Tony Hawk "Pro Skater" video game series.

"Mike V's individuality and commitment to skating have made him one of the great ambassadors of the sport and spirit of action sports since the '80s," says Michael Marckx, vice president of marketing and advertising of OP. "When OP Emerging is released this fall, people will be blown-away by how that commitment manifests itself in sound."

The OP Emerging CD is said to be a mix of hard-hitting rock and punk, as well as smoother tunes that together showcase the authentic Southern California * lifestyle that exemplifies the heritage of OP and Fender. Proceeds from the album are slated to go to VH1's "Save the Music," and promoters say that any "breakout artists" from the album will be eligible to sign a long-term recording contract.

OCEAN PACIFIC APPAREL CORP was launched as a clothing company in 1972, and claims to be the "first surfboard maker to create an apparel line to meet the demands of surfers, in and out of the water" and "the first action-sports company". According to the company, OP is "the largest privately held brand in the industry, offering a broad array of products that support youth culture and its attendant preoccupations -- surf, skate, snow and style."

OP says they always try to remain true to their mission of creating quality products with real value, authenticity and style. To this end they manufacture of goods ranging from apparel and footwear to wetsuits and accessories, and sponsor of "world-class sporting events and athletes".

A joint venture * between Fender and its partner Morling Manor Music and Media, label Fender Records was recently formed as a means to highlight "the best in guitar-driven music, both known and unknown". The label is to be distributed and marketed by Rhino Records.

Fender Record's initial release is "a guitar-anchored compilation of hit songs by popular artists ranging from Eric Clapton to blink-182", and the company reports that "another major aspect of the label will be dedicated to showcasing rising young musical talent via partnerships with major branded corporations desiring to support musicians at the grass-roots level while utilizing music to punctuate their product marketing and promotion." The OP Emerging release this fall will be the first in this line.

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