Search Results for: columbia records

Los Angeles – None of the Grammy nominees was more surprised than Chris Morris, who was taking notes along with the rest of the press corps Tuesday morning when he heard his name announced among the luminaries. Morris, who joined The Hollywood Reporter as music editor in September, was nominated for the liner notes he wrote for “No Thanks! The ’70s Punk Rebellion.” That Rhino Records compilation of various artists gives an overview of the genre’s early days by gathering 100 songs in a four-CD boxed set. Morris contributed a definitive context for the music in a thoroughly researched 116-page… Read more »

New York – Jerry Wexler is the classic record business guy. For more than three decades, Wexler, as co-owner of Atlantic Records and later senior VP at Warner Bros. Records, signed and worked with scores of vocalists and instrumentalists, and produced some of the greatest rock and soul records ever made. Now 86 and long retired, Wexler is still applauded as an insightful producer, crafty deal-maker and promoter, divining rod of hit songs and occasional writer of songs and liner notes. “He is one of my greatest heroes,” Sire Records founder Seymour Stein says. “Jerry is a consummate record man… Read more »

When a pop artist leaves the shelter of a major-label nest, the stark reality of being on one’s own can be a sobering experience. But learning to fly solo can also bring tremendous rewards. Although many rock artists have self-released their music after leaving the major-label fold, most pop artists are so dependent on radio play that they have often sought the deep pockets of another major or a large indie label to foot the bill. But several acts – including Evan & Jaron, Sophie B. Hawkins and Alana Davisare forging their own path. Former Columbia duo Evan & Jaron… Read more »

Evanescence were set to record this summer until Amy Lee decided to spend the time with her boyfriend. Fortunately for fans, they like to travel. “I thought it would be really fun to tour together since we’ve never had the chance,” Lee said of Seether singer Shaun Morgan. “We’re always missing each other on tour, like, ‘I wish you were here so you can see this, this is awesome, I’m in Paris,’ or whatever. It’ll be fun to see how it works. I’m gonna try not to blow it. Mixing business with pleasure: sometimes it blows up in your face,… Read more »

Dave Matthews has plenty of things to do and places to go – what with his band regrouping for a summer tour, re-signing to RCA Records and beginning pre-production on a new album – but during his break from the DMB, the frontman pretended to be someone with no goals and nowhere to go. In Matthews’ first film role, “Because of Winn-Dixie,” he plays a drifter. “How on earth could I be a drifter?” Matthews asked. “If I didn’t have the job I have right now, if I wasn’t playing music, who knows? I could have been a scientist, but… Read more »

With his seventh album, When the Sun Goes Down, country singer Kenny Chesney will mosey on toward the late-afternoon, orange-hued horizon with a #1 under his belt. The LP sold more than 550,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan. The top-notch placement on the Billboard albums chart makes it two in a row for Chesney, whose last #1 album, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, a 3-million seller at #81 next week, counted more than 235,000 in first-week sales. A Crow Left of the Murder, Incubus’ fifth album, will take second place with more than 331,000 copies sold, the California… Read more »

Jason Mraz’s year at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy is paying off after all. In the video for his new single, “You and I Both,” the singer/songwriter puts some of his musical-theater skills to use. “I’m in love with a bank teller,” Mraz said, explaining the clip. “I’m just trying to make a deposit and I’m misinterpreted, I’m misread going into the bank when I slip her a love letter. The bank manager thinks it’s like a robbery note, he sounds the alarm, all hell breaks loose and a big dance number breaks out. You know, that’s what usually… Read more »

Canadian rockers Hot Hot Heat will head home to Victoria, British Columbia, after a fall tour to work on the follow-up to 2002’s Make Up the Breakdown. “This is the end of this period of touring,” frontman Steve Bays says. “We want some new songs.” Shows on the band’s current tour, which kicked off last night in Las Vegas, will likely include at least one new one, “You’re Making Such a Mess.” “People get into it the first time they hear it,” Bays says. “It’s really bizarre sounding, so it draws people in right away.” Another new track, currently untitled,… Read more »

456 Entertainment, the record label started by MTV personality Carson Daly and former Loud Records executive VP Jonathan Rifkind, has signed an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with EMI’s Caroline Records Distribution and is planning its first releases for the fall. The label’s first signees include hip-hop/drum-and-bass artist Photek, whose first single, “We Got Heat,” is due Oct. 6 on 456. A full album, “Do or Die” will be released in early 2004. Other artists on board include Seymour Glass – a New York-based four-piece band that is recording its label debut for an early 2004 release – and the hip-hop… Read more »

You know The Ataris’ current hit “Boys Of Summer?” Those SoCal punkers actually didn’t want you to hear that tune. Ever. Well, at least not their version of it. “That was something we DID NOT want released as a single,” grunts bassist/vocalist Mike Davenport about the Don Henley cover tune. “We didn’t even want it on our album, but the record label pushed for it and it proved to be a good idea. They respected our wishes to not release it as an actual single, but the radio stations decided to play it and it caught on. There’s nothing you… Read more »