| A2M ANNOUNCES ARTIST SIGNINGS Nov 20 2008 |
2009 RELEASES INCLUDE TAYLOR HICKS, CASE AND HURT A2M ALSO TEAMS WITH LOS ANGELES INDIE LABEL SARGENT HOUSE In just three years, ARTIST2MARKET DISTRIBUTION (A2M) has seen success with releases from Dolly Parton, Tracy Lawrence, The Cool Kids, Tommy Lee, John Michael Montgomery and others. Look for the Detroit-based independent music distribution and artist services company to make further inroads in 2009 as A2M expands its roster to include first quarter releases from Taylor Hicks, Case and Hurt. In addition, the company has teamed with indie label Sargent House for their 2009 releases. The diversity of these releases emphasizes A2M’s commitment to music from a variety of genres. “Everyday, more artists from all genres of music are looking to take control of their careers and release their content to the marketplace in new and innovative ways and on their own terms,” said Paul Ignasinski, General Manager of A2M. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide Taylor, Case, Hurt and the Sargent House artists a platform for releasing their music to the public while still maintaining 100% ownership of their work.” Some of A2M’s recent successes include Dolly Parton’s Backwoods Barbie with sales of more than 125,000 copies; Tracy Lawrence’s For the Love, more than 330,000 units scanned to date; The Cool Kids’ The Bake Sale (A2M’s first new and developing artist agreement), with 35,000 units already sold. A2M will continue to offer artists, labels, and content owners a unique alternative to the traditional music label infrastructure. In addition to providing a streamlined and flexible supply chain solution to both traditional and non-traditional retail outlets, A2M offers music at an attractive price to consumers, while enabling retailers to achieve an ongoing fair profit margin. Additional information about A2M’s Q1 2009 release schedule is tentatively as follows: February 10: TAYLOR HICKS: Title TBA (Modern Whomp Records and Artist2Market Distribution) Platinum selling artist Taylor Hicks first achieved national fame in 2006 as the winner of the fifth season of American Idol. His energetic stage performances and influences derived from Classic Rock, Blues and R&B music had earned him a following of devout fans who have been dubbed the "Soul Patrol." Taylor recently launched his own record label, Modern Whomp Records. CASE: The Rose Experience (Indigo Blue Records and Artist2Market Distribution) Platinum selling R&B singer Case has sold over 1.5 million records via his three solo releases. In addition, Case contributed to successful movie soundtracks, most memorably "Touch Me Tease Me" from The Nutty Professor, "Faded Pictures" from Rush Hour and "The Best Man I Can Be" from The Best Man. His signature sound can be described as soul music with a twist of new jack and hip-hop. Early 2009 (TBA): HURT: Title TBA Virginia-based alternative metal rockers Hurt formed in 2000. The Los Angeles based band received critical acclaim for their major label debut album, Vol. I, released in 2006. Their second album, the critically acclaimed Vol. II, was released in 2007 and generated their largest rock radio hit yet with "Ten Ton Brick." Both records combined have sold just under 200,000 units in the U.S. "It is a great honor for HURT and I to be closely affiliated with forward thinking people like those running A2M,” says HURT manager Tom Lewis. “We finally have partners who truly understand the band's music and vision.” Sargent House Indie label Sargent House offers a diverse and quickly expanding roster, including acts such as RX Bandits, Love You Moon and Maps & Atlases. Their first release through A2M was Good Old War, Only Way To Be Alone. Released on November 4, 2008, this critically acclaimed album blends upbeat acoustic craftsmanship with exquisite three part vocal harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Upcoming releases from Sargent House will include new albums from Omar Rodriguez Lopez and This Town Needs Guns. About Artist To Market Distribution: Launched in 2005, Artist To Market Distribution (A2M) is an independent music distributor designed to work directly with artists, labels, and content owners to streamline the supply chain, and deliver new product to the marketplace at a lower cost. Over the past two years, A2M has partnered with a diverse group of platinum and multi-platinum artists including Dolly Parton, Tracy Lawrence, Tommy Lee, John Michael Montgomery, Sinead O’Connor, Unwritten Law, and Tracy Byrd. More information can be found at www.artist2market.com. ### press release |
| TRACY LAWRENCE 3RD ANNUAL MISSION POSSIBLE TURKEY FRY Nov 19 2008 |
Tracy Lawrence and The Nashville Rescue Mission Team Up For His 3rd Annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry (Nashville, TN, November 11, 2008) - Country music superstar, Tracy Lawrence has once again teamed up with the Nashville Rescue Mission, and some of his celebrity friends for the Third Annual Tracy Lawrence Mission Possible Turkey Fry presented by Dan McGuinness Irish Pub. The event is planned for Tuesday, November 25, 2008 in the Mission’s parking lot at 639 Lafayette Street in Nashville, TN. His goal is to raise awareness of the services provided by the Nashville Rescue Mission as well as the ongoing need for contributions and community support for this organization. “I’m so honored to have the chance to do this for the third year in a row. I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to give back to the Nashville area and hope we’re able to help a lot of people over the holiday season,” says Tracy while reminiscing about their past achievements and his thoughts for this year’s Turkey Fry. During the event, Lawrence and his crew will deep fry 400 turkeys, which translate to 6,500 meals to feed the men, women, and children served by the Nashville Rescue Mission during the holiday season. The day of the event, the Titan’s Cheerleaders will be on hand to collect donations of canned goods, clothing, personal items, or cash to be dropped at the Mission’s parking lot drive-through. Those who donate the first 100 items will receive a signed Tracy Lawrence CD (his current album “For the Love” or his Christmas album entitled “All Wrapped Up In Christmas.”) “We are grateful for Tracy's efforts in raising awareness for the poor and hurting in the Middle Tennessee area. In the midst of this economic downturn, this awareness, as well as some good eating, has enabled the Mission to continue serving those arriving at its doors seeking help,” says Cliff Tredway, Marketing Director of the Nashville Rescue Mission. Along with Lawrence and his friends, many national, as well as local sponsors have chosen to lend a hand. This year Dan McGuinness Irish Pub, Bass Pro Shops, Tyson Foods, Walmart, Blue Rhino, Master Built Fryers, Crisco, Printing Unlimited, TLE, Inc., and Rocky Comfort Records have all donated their services. The Nashville Rescue Mission feeds on average 1,300 people daily, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is a discouraging statistic but as Lawrence says, “A mere $1.92 is all it takes to feed an individual; for $19.20, the price of a turkey, you can feed a family of five and five of their friends. I know these are hard times for all of us, but if we all pull together we can make this mission possible.” For further information contact: Mike Meade (615) 463 3041 ext 4# Tami Rose (615) 463 3041 ext 3# Amy Aylward (615) 463 3041 ext 0# Or visit: www.nashvillerescuemission.org www.rockycomfortrecords.com press release |
| A2M TO PARTNER WITH AMERICAN IDOL WINNER TAYLOR HICKS Oct 8 2008 |
He’s “Takin’ It to the Streets” on “American Idol” — now Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks will be takin’ it more directly to the people. Celebrating his birthday today, Hicks has tapped the independent artist services company Artist To Market (A2M) to release his much-buzzed-about new album, due in stores on February 10, 2009. The platinum-selling singer-songwriter will be releasing the new title with complete control of direction and ownership of his masters on his solely owned and operated, Modern Whomp Records label. Hicks is currently in the studio with producer Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Faith Hill). “In this digital age, when artists can connect more directly with audiences, this is a partnership that makes a lot of sense,” says Hicks. “I’m very much enjoying being in the studio with Simon working on the new album and look forward to releasing it through A2M early next year.” “We at A2M are very excited to be working with the team at Modern Whomp Records on this release,” said Paul Ignasinski, General Manager of A2M. “As the industry continues to evolve, it’s exciting to see significant artists approach the marketplace in a new way, and truly take control over their own destiny. This is exactly why A2M was built in the first place — to provide a service platform for these artists to prosper on their own terms.” During the last two years, Taylor Hicks has seen his self-titled Arista debut album certified platinum, performed with the likes of Willie Nelson, Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers and Jackson Browne, toured through Asia, penned the brisk-selling Random House memoir Heart Full of Soul, spent time in NY this past summer for his three-month Broadway debut as “Teen Angel” in Grease, and will take Grease on a national tour beginning December 1. In August Hicks’ Modern Whomp Records released Early Works (a reissue compilation of his two independent albums, In Your Time and Under the Radar) through the Welk Music Group. Hicks is also planning the release of Whomp at the Warfield, a DVD showcasing a live performance by Hicks and his band at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco. About Artist To Market Distribution: Launched in 2005, Artist To Market Distribution (A2M) is an independent music distributor and artist services company designed to work directly with artists, labels, and content owners to streamline the supply chain, provide flexible service solutions, and deliver new product to the marketplace at a lower cost. Over the past two years A2M has partnered with a diverse group of platinum and multi-platinum artists including Dolly Parton, Tracy Lawrence, Tommy Lee, John Michael Montgomery, Sinead O’Connor, Unwritten Law, and Tracy Byrd, in addition to critically-acclaimed newcomers, The Cool Kids. More information can be found at http://www.artist2market.com. |
| A2M and Eurpac Service Announce Company Affiliation with Eurpac Becoming A2M's New Parent Company Jul 29 2008 |
| July 29, 2008: On the heels of recent successes with Dolly Parton, Tracy Lawrence, The Cool Kids and others, plus a newly signed deal with John Michael Montgomery, Detroit-based independent music distributor Artist To Market Distribution (A2M) has announced their affiliation with Eurpac Service, Inc, who effective July 22, 2008 became A2M’s new parent company. A2M was formerly owned by Handleman Company. In this new association, A2M will continue to offer artists, labels, and content owners of all kinds an alternative to the traditional music label infrastructure. In addition to providing a streamlined and flexible supply chain solution to both traditional and non-traditional music retail outlets, A2M is able to continue to offer albums at an attractive price to consumers, while enabling retailers to achieve an ongoing fair profit margin. “To say we’re excited about our addition to the Eurpac family would be a vast understatement,” says Paul Ignasinski, General Manager, A2M. “While there was a great deal of interest in A2M, Eurpac ultimately was a very natural fit as its values and approach to the business are in lock-step with ours. Beyond the basic metrics of Eurpac’s sophisticated distribution infrastructure, the bottom line is that their leadership team is creative, forward thinking and entrepreneurial-minded. These qualities are absolute necessities in today’s music marketplace, as the ‘business-as-usual’ approach just doesn’t cut it--it’s not the approach artists need, and it’s certainly not the approach retailers and consumers want.” press release |
| 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL OPENS ON BROADWAY THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009 Jul 18 2008 |
| PREVIEWS BEGIN TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009, AT THE MARRIOTT MARQUIS THEATRE ORIGINAL MUSIC AND LYRICS BY DOLLY PARTON Producer Robert Greenblatt announced today that 9 To 5, The Musical, based on the 20th Century Fox motion picture, will begin previews on Broadway Tuesday, March 24, 2009, and will open Thursday, April 23, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway). 9 To 5, The Musical marks the Broadway debut of seven-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician Dolly Parton as composer and lyricist. The musical's book by Patricia Resnick is based on her original story and screenplay for the smash 1980 film comedy. Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 To 5, The Musical will star four-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, and two-time Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch. 9 To 5, The Musical will have its world premiere engagement in Los Angeles at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre beginning previews Wednesday, September 3, opening Saturday, September 20, and playing through Sunday, October 19, 2008. The production features scenic design by two-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by eight-time Tony Award winners Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, sound design by John Shivers, with musical supervision by Stephen Oremus. press release |