Alvin and The Chipmunks – The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late):

Last night the original motion picture soundtrack ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS (Razor & Tie) won the Favorite Album – Soundtrack category. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary and six decades on the charts, the soundtrack album has spent 48 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, peaking at #5. Released in November of 2007, the album will soon be certified platinum and cumulative sales for individual tracks are nearing 1.5 million.

“To have Alvin and his brothers be recognized 50 years after their birth is overwhelming for Janice and for me,” expressed Ross Bagdasarian, CEO of Bagdasarian Productions. “We are proud to have had the opportunity to work on such a successful project and continue to be so impressed with the Bagdasarians and the folks at Fox,” added Razor & Tie Co-Owner Cliff Chenfeld.

The 20th Century Fox live action/CGI motion picture Alvin and The Chipmunks was a smash hit last year with over $350 million box office gross worldwide and is currently the #1 DVD in the United States with over 8 million in sales. Alvin and The Chipmunks is the highest grossing talking animal or live action cartoon adaptation on record.

Robert Kraft, President of Fox Music, said, “I am thrilled by this award, and amazed by the staying power of Alvin, Simon and Theodore. They clearly appeal to audiences across the generations, a testament to the genius of the Bagdasarians’ imagination.”

The original motion picture soundtrack showcased The Chipmunks’ signature sound and modern takes on rock, pop, reggae and hip hop and was produced by Ali Dee (Mya, Shakira). On November 4th, Razor & Tie Entertainment released the first new non-soundtrack Chipmunks album in over 10 years, UNDENIABLE. The new album created by Ross Bagdasarian and Janice Karman, is also produced by Ali Dee and features covers of major hits as well as four new Chipmunks originals. UNDENIABLE demonstrates a band that’s mastered every style, from the funky title track and remix of “We’re The Chipmunks” (the theme song from the popular cartoon series) to a moving version of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” There’s also a new holiday hit written by Janice Karman “Ho Ho Ho,” an epic take on Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” and an inspired version of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.” Rising pop star Drew Seeley (High School Musical soundtracks, Another Cinderella Story) is also featured on a duet of the classic disco hit “Shake Your Groove Thing.”

A global phenomenon to generations of fans, Alvin and The Chipmunks have sold more than 45 million albums worldwide and won three Grammy awards. The Chipmunks were recently immortalized as the smallest and first ever animated wax figures at Madame Tussauds. They continue to engage audiences with animated television shows, feature films, album releases and video games. On Christmas Day, 2009, 20th Century Fox and Bagdasarian Productions will release Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

Video for “Shake Your Groove Thing” featuring Drew Steely

No one ever thought they’d see Led Zeppelin play again… but there they were, onstage in London last November. Now the Chipmunks—who cover Led Zep’s “Rock and Roll” on their new album Undeniable—follow suit with a surprise reunion of their own. After a difficult weeklong estrangement, America’s favorite musical squeakers welcome longtime frontman Alvin back into the fold. The Chipmunks can once again be known as Alvin and the Chipmunks.

“I’m back!” says Alvin. “Did you miss me?”

Rumored to be fielding movie and television show offers in the wake of 2007′s box office smash Alvin and the Chipmunks (and its accompanying Top 5 soundtrack), Alvin took his hula hoop and vanished without warning just after the band completed UNDENIABLE. Simon, Theodore and longtime producer David Seville subsequently held open auditions for the job, including fan submissions via YouTube.

“We want to thank all the little munks and munkettes who sent us videos,” says Simon. Adds Dave Seville, “I’ll be keeping them on file in the studio. Next time Alvin disappears, you just might hear from me. You got that Alvin?… Alvin?… AAAAAAALVIN! Oh well,” Seville continues. “You may hear from me shortly.”

Even as the first video from UNDENIABLE came out—a version of the disco classic “Shake Your Groove Thing” featuring guest vocals by Drew Seeley (High School Musical soundtracks, Another Cinderella Story)—the three Chipmunks had been spotted doing lunch at The Ivy. “Just family catching up,” Simon told Rodent Defamer at the time. But it seems the gossip was all true.

“When they started having those auditions, I was a little shaken” Alvin admits. My brothers and I met at The Ivy without managers or agents and remembered what’s important: family and music. I’ve been in this band for five decades, and I intend to be in this band another five decades. Simon can probably tell you what that is in chipmunk years.”

“Beats me,” says Simon. “You think I know that just because I wear glasses?” “Rock’n'roll keeps us young!” says Theodore.

Indeed—since beginning their career with the chart-topping, Grammy-winning hit “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late),” the trio has successfully reinvented itself on more than 40 albums, including forays into country, disco, metal, punk and hip-hop. Like its predecessors, UNDENIABLE showcases a band that’s mastered every style, from the funky title track and remix of “We’re The Chipmunks” (the theme song from the popular cartoon series) to a moving version of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” There’s also an epic take on Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer,” a new holiday hit in “Ho Ho Ho” and what just might be the definitive version of “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

At least until Steve Perry rejoins Journey,” Alvin boasts.