JUDAS PRIEST Superfan's 'Nostradamus' Listening Streak To End November 21

November 8, 2009

Jim "Nostradamus" Bartek will put an end to his JUDAS PRIEST "Nostradamus" listening streak on Saturday, November 21, 2009. The streak will officially stop at 524 straight days. His unusual accomplishment has generated media coverage around the world and a personal meeting with the band during a tour stop this past summer in Cleveland. A final listen party will take place in Bartek's hometown of Maple Heights, Ohio at the Maple Grove from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Admission is free and open to the public. Popular Cleveland JUDAS PRIEST tribute band RESURRECTION will perform after Bartek's final album listen. Bartek will don the "Nostradamus" outfit, created by Gary and Alicia Ulmer, one last time for the party.

"The time has come to lay the streak of playing 'Nostradamus' everyday from start-to-finish since its release in June of last year to rest," says Bartek. "It's hard to believe I am going to end the streak. It has been a major part of my life for the last year and a half. I am very excited the Cleveland metal community is throwing a last listen party for me. I hope all metalheads, and especially JUDAS PRIEST fans, will come out and share this experience with me and my dog Clarence. What a party it will be!"

The question on everyone's mind, besides if Clarence would be attending the party, is whether or not Bartek will ever listen to "Nostradamus" again? Does he plan on permanently retiring the album into the 'J' section of his extensive music collection?

"Let it be known this does not mean 'Nostradamus' will never be played again", proudly proclaims Bartek. "I love this record. It will still get a couple of plays a week. How could anyone possibly get tired of a masterpiece? I may miss not playing it everyday but all great things must come to end."

JUDAS PRIEST lead vocalist Rob Halford, during an interview on the November 7 edition of "The Classic Metal Show", publicly thanked Bartek for his support of "Nostradamus" and suggested he should be inducted into the Guinness Book Of World Records for his accomplishment. He also credited him for helping give the album a bump in interest and sales, and jokingly said Bartek's dog Clarence can now look forward to listening to something different as the streak comes to an end.

"It has been a blast and a time I will never forget the rest of my life", says Bartek. "Thanks to all my fellow metal fans that have supported me when I have been out and about, the fanatics on the Priest website, friends, family, the media...everyone has been great. I'd even like to send out special thanks to the Blabbermouth board for making this such a hot topic. A special play of 'Nostradamus' goes out to both the haters and the supporters! It really has been a lot of fun and a special time for me."
Bartek adds, "Far and above everything that has happened, the highlight of this whole experience for me was finally getting a chance to meet JUDAS PRIEST. They are my all-time favorites. A special thank you to the band as none of this would have happened without them."

Image below: "Nostradamus Final Listen Party" poster art (designed by Claudia Von Bihl)

Audio message from Rob Halford to Jim "Nostradamus" Bartek from last night's "The Classic Metal Show" (click on player below to launch audio):

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