With “The River of Music: The Power of Duets, Vol. 1”, Jim Peterik — Grammy-winning songwriter and founding member of Survivor and The Ides of March—delivers one of his most personal and inspired projects to date. This new chapter in the World Stage legacy is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of collaboration, where each song becomes a shared story told through harmony, emotion, and musical chemistry.

Produced by the legendary Ron Nevison, whose name is synonymous with the golden age of AOR thanks to his work with Survivor, Heart, Foreigner, and countless others, the album carries the unmistakable warmth and polish of classic rock records, while embracing a sense of intimacy and freshness that speaks to Peterik’s enduring creative fire.

Across ten tracks, The Power of Duets showcases Peterik’s gift for melody and his ability to connect with artists across generations. On the title track “The River of Music,” he shares the microphone with his son Colin Peterik, capturing a father-son bond rooted in music. That chemistry returns in “Slow Lightning,” a moment of atmospheric beauty that blends poetic lyrics with cinematic instrumentation. Elsewhere, Peterik trades verses with REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin on the stirring “Between Two Fires,” and finds common ground with Jason Scheff (formerly of Chicago) in the contemplative “The Cadence of Things.”

Vocalist Toby Hitchcock (Pride of Lions) brings fire and range to two standout moments—“Soul of My Being,” a soulful duet with Bree Gordon, and a powerful reinterpretation of the Survivor classic “In Good Faith,” sung alongside rising star Kaity Heart. Peterik and Kaity Heart also deliver “I’m a Survivor,” an original anthem that echoes the resilience and passion at the core of his songwriting.

Other duets include the radiant “Double Rainbow” with Jefferson Starship’s Cathy Richardson, the emotionally rich “Waiting for You” performed by Dave Mikulskis and Bree Gordon, and the uplifting “Everything You Need,” which reunites Jim and Colin Peterik one more time. Backed by a stellar cast of musicians including drummers Denny Fongheiser and Ed Breckenfeld, bassists Tony Franklin and Bob Lizik, guitarists Phil X and Mike Aquino, and keyboardists Kim Bullard and Kim Peterik, the album is as sonically powerful as it is emotionally resonant.

This is only Volume 1: with Volume 2 already on the horizon, the river of music continues to flow, stronger than ever. Jim Peterik & World Stage remind us that in music, as in life, true power lies in the beauty of connection.

Tracklist:

1. River of Music
2. Waiting For You
3. The Cadence of Things
4. Soul of My Being
5. Between Two Fires
6. Double Rainbow
7. Slow Lightning
8. In Good Faith
9. I’m a Survivor
10. Everything You Need