I'm proud to announce that I'm supporting the 'Reach for your Slippers' campaign, powered by the Reach For a Dream Foundation.

About Reach for a Dream:

Reach for a Dream is one of South Africa's most respected and widely recognised charities.

For the past 24 years, RFAD has been fulfilling the dreams of children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illness. RFAD's many purposes are to take the focus off the disease and create a fun space where the children can flourish.

The Reach for your Slippers campaign is designed to raise awareness around RFAD, while also raising funds for the organisation.

Consumers pay R10.00 for the RFYS sticker which entitles them to wear slippers at work on RFYS Day (3 August 2012).

Organisations, Businesses, Schools and colleges can take part by purchasing 'Slipper Stickers' for staff/students.

From Regional to National - Last year's RFYS's campaign generated R250 000.00 in KZN alone. Due to the excellent results from that regional campaign, RFYD would like to take it nationally.

I'm extremely excited to announce the launch of my debut solo album, 'Where Angels Fear To Fly'.

Official Press Release:

2011 Idols runner up Mark Haze has released his much awaited debut solo album ‘Where Angels Fear To Fly’, via Universal Music. The album, produced by SAMA winning producer Theo Crous is destined to set a benchmark in South African rock music. The album is a heafy mix of great rock anthems and some lighter, soulful ballads where Mark shows the full spectrum of his powerful multi octave voice.

“I’ve always wanted to put out an album that translates to everyone – regardless of where they’re from and I believe that if a song is good, it’s good and that this album has something for everyone on it,” said Haze, “The title track, the evocative `Where Angels Fear to Fly`, is about my long journey to make a career and life from music and it is thanks to my fans and their belief in me that I was inspired to me make this album".

‘Out of My Head’, the debut single off the album, went gold in late 2011, selling 20,000 digital copies and charting countrywide. The follow up, ‘Alone’ – written by Jeff Cohen, Kara E Gioguardi and Nic Lachey – is already play listed on most major radio stations merely weeks after its release. Other highlights include the pulverizing, riff heavy “The Rabbit Hole” where Mark gives a nod to two of his biggest influences, The Beatles and Metallica; the joyously decadent album opener “Shake what your mama gave you” and the soulful “ Wake Up (Dreaming of you)”.

“We received well over a hundred songs to consider for the album and we hand-picked eight and I added six of my own to the collection,” continued Haze, whose stellar performances on Idols created much hype around of South Africa’s powerful voices in rock, “It is a complete privilege to have recorded some songs by writers who have worked with Nickelback and Kelly Clarkson and these tracks, as well as my own, really reach down to the core of who I am as an artist.”

Following Idols in late 2011, Mark has been touring relentlessly around the country. He managed to clear up some time in his schedule in May to record at Bellville Studios with the legendary Theo Crous - known for his production and engineering work on The Springbok Nude Girls, Parlotones and Prime Circle albums. The album was mastered at 6-time Grammy Award winning Lurssen Mastering Studios in Los Angeles. Mark used his own band, Bjorn Faree, Gareth Haze and Brian Lee – who have been together for a decade - to play on the album and the authenticity of their chemistry as a band is very evident in the sound.

‘Where Angels Fear To Fly’ will be available from 28 June 2012 in major music stores and will be available to download on multiple online platforms.

For media interviews:

Nicci Hayden: Hayden Music Management

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

+27 82 711 3913

For radio interviews / sampling queries

Neil Sinclair: Universal Music South Africa

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+27 11 722 0555 or +27 72 855 6901

CONGRATULATIONS TO: JEANINE HENNING

WINNER of my design a T-Shirt Competition!

Here is her design:

,

Terms & Conditions:

- Entry is open to South African Residents only.

- Family members may not enter.

- Design must include either:

The Name: MARK HAZE or be focussed around the theme: 'Where Angels Fear to Fly' which is the name of Mark's Debut Album due for release in March 2012 with Universal Music Group.

- Entrant may submit as many designs as they wish.

- Designs must fit within the seams of the shirt as per the above example.

- Design must be in a High-Res format.

- Prize will be given to the winner when Mark Haze is touring in their city, as part of his Nationwide tour.

- All entries must be e-mailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

- Artwork must be entrants original design.

- By submitting their design, entrants give Mark Haze full rights & ownership of their artwork (Entrant will be accredited in all media where applicable)

- By entering the competition, entrants acknowledge that they wish to receive future communication from Mark Haze.

- Winner will be notified via e-mail. If the e-mail address provided by the entrant is no longer valid he/she will forfeit the prize. Another winner will be selected in accordance.

- The prize is exclusively for the winner and is neither transferable nor exchangeable.

- By entering into the competition it is deemed that the entrant has read and understood these rules.

Universal Music is proud to announce the signing of Idols finalist Mark Haze to an exclusive recording agreement with the label.

Mark endeared himself to the wider South African audience throughout Season 7 for his impassioned vocal delivery, superb guitar work and informed song choices, a combination that saw him through to the final. The fact that only 1% separated the 2 finalists is testament to his enduring popularity with the South African public.

Mark commented  "I am extremely honoured and proud to be joining the Universal Music Group family. To be signed by the same label as so many of my heroes is a dream come true. I'm very excited to begin working on my album and getting to work with the team."

Universal’s Benjy Mudie said “Mark lives and breathes music, a true musician and bone fide rock star. His uncanny ability to mould his phenomenal voice to a wide range of genres and his commitment to his craft makes him a natural to sign to the label”.

Mark Haze is a welcome addition to the Universal Music Group family of artists including U2, Mumford and Sons, Maroon 5, Lady GaGa as well as South African superstars The Arrows, Elvis Blue and The SoapGirls.

Mark will start recording his debut album in January 2012.

For more information contact Benjy Mudie at Universal Music Group This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / (011) 722-0500

CONGRATULATIONS to our brother & friend Mark Haze on making it to the Top 2 Idols Contestants in the whole of South Africa. We are so incredibly proud of you dude!!!!

To our extended 12th Avenue family:

With the recent success of our lead singer, Mark Haze, in Idols South Africa, we've been receiving a lot of messages from fans asking about the future of our band.

The band is changing their name to MARK HAZE.

We can confirm that the band will continue to perform with Mark Haze as lead vocalist & guitarist with Bjorn, Brian & Gareth as Marks band members. We will continue to perform 12th Avenue's original material, as well as Mark's new material and several other new songs.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal fans, both old and new, and both young and old, for your continued support. You are all amazing and we truly appreciate the love that you show our band.

The 12th Avenue Facebook Page & Twitter account will be shutdown on 01 January 2012.

Join our new Facebook page here: MARK HAZE.

Follow us all on Twitter:

MARK HAZE

BJORN FAREE

GARETH HAZE

BRIAN LEE

See you at the next show. :)

Rock 'n Roll will save the world!