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New York, NY: Kristine W’s highly anticipated fourth full-length studio album, The Power of Music, will be available on i-Tunes, Masterbeat.com and in retail stores nationwide on June 9, 2009. The CD has already proven its power on the dance scene with four of its singles - “Walk Away”, “The Boss”, “Never”, and “Love is the Look” - landing the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play List. “Be Alright”, Kristine’s next single from the album, will be released commercially and to terrestrial and internet mainstream radio as well as satellite radio on May 26^th.

“This album was truly a labor of love,” explained Kristine W from her home in Las Vegas. She describes it as a musical journey through a kaleidoscope of musical styles mixing dance, pop, R&B and rock styles together to capture and express the myriad of emotions that people are feeling at this turbulent time in history. “The songs on the album explore universal human emotions like joy, fear, love, strength, life and death. Woven together, they show the emotional power of music and represent the rollercoaster of emotions most people are experiencing today. At a time when people all around the world are feeling more vulnerable than ever, I really wanted to create an album where I could perform songs that capture those universal emotions. We need to stay connected and music is the great communicator that gives us the medicine we need right now - the hope and optimism we need as we all move forward in seemingly uncertain times.”

The next single, “Be Alright” tells of how hope will triumph over difficulty and recaptures the essence of what this album is about with lyrics - “When hard times bring us to our knees, we stand in the shadow of blind faith and we say ‘Hey, it’s going to be alright.’” The song ”Never” preaches inner strength and joy. “Groove’s Inside” tells us “this is your life, get up and live it, you know the clock won’t wait, leave your cares behind” because the groove’s inside your mind – each person’s attitude dictates how they view life and ultimately live it. In the title track, “The Power of Music” Kristine sings “the power of music speaks louder than words, you hear it all around the world, it’s fueling your soul” – music powerfully connects you to people, gives you hope and creates optimism for positive change.

The 16-track album features some of the music industry’s most influential players including Grammy-nominated producers Love To Infinity UK (Madonna, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Will Smith), Grammy Award winning producer Hex Hector (Donna Summer, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, Shakira), guitar legend George Lynch (of Dokken and Lynch Mob), and a performance by the world renown rapper, Big Daddy Kane, who lends his talents to the album’s title track, “The Power of Music.”

Hailing from Washington State, Kristine is a fourth generation musician. She won the title of Miss Washington and placed first in the talent and swimsuit portion of the Miss America pageant. Kristine then moved to Las Vegas and earning her bachelor’s degree at UNLV. She headlined her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton. Kristine performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than any performer including Elvis. In fact, June 28th was officially sanctioned Kristine W day in the state of Nevada. Kristine also received several Las Vegas “Entertainer of the Year” awards.

In the late 1990s, Kristine hit the top of the national dance music charts with the now classic “Feel What You Want.” She signed with RCA Records and released the 1997 critically acclaimed album, Land of the Living, featuring the #1 Billboard smashes “One More Try,” “Feel What You Want” and the album's title track, “Land of the Living.” “One More Try” made into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 charts and remained at the top of pop radio play lists in major cities such as Los Angeles and New York for several months.

In 2000, she released her second album from RCA Records, Stronger. The album's title track and the timeless single “Lovin’ You” added to Kristine's vault of number one singles.

“Some Lovin” became her sixth #1 record. It was also the lead off single for the hit Showtime television series, QUEER AS FOLK, which produced a music video featuring Kristine and the cast from the show.

In 2004, after overcoming her three-year battle with leukemia, Kristine released her third album, Fly Again, with Tommy Boy Records. The album yielded an additional three #1 hits: the title track, “Save My Soul” and “The Wonder of It All”.

Four years later, in 2008, she achieved two more #1s with “Walk Away” and “The Boss”. This year, Kristine has already added two new #1s to her arsenal of hits: this winter’s “Never” and most recently, “Love is the Look”; her thirteenth #1 Billboard single. With her newest No. 1, Kristine edges out Whitney Houston to claim fifth place among artists with multiple #1s on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play List. Madonna tops the chart with 39 #1s, followed by Janet Jackson with 18. Donna Summer is third with 15, followed by Mariah Carey with 14, and then Kristine with 13. Houston now ranks in 6^th place, behind Kristine, with 12 #1s.

Kristine’s albums and singles have over produced 300,000 Soundscan units scanned to date. Kristine’s songs have also been licensed to over 150 compilations CDs and Kristine is consistently touring to promote her latest projects. Her upcoming tour will take her to New York, St, Louis Mo, Orlando Fl, San Diego, Seattle WA, Minneapolis MN, Des Moines IA, Salt Lake City UT, among other places. New dates are being added all the time – visit the tour page at kristinew.com for exact dates and locations.

Kristine W’s fourth album, Power Of Music, will release on June 16^th, 2009.

KRISTINE W’s official website is www.kristinew.com.

Chip Interviewed by Emusician

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Industry Insider: Chip Schutzman
May 1, 2009 12:00PM, By Michael A. Aczon

AN EXPERT'S ADVICE FOR MARKETING YOURSELF ON THE WEB

With all the media attention given to file sharing and the travails of the major labels, the Internet's role in the distribution and sale of music has been highly visible in recent years. But what's been left out of the conversation — something that's equally if not more important for independent musicians — is the use of the Net for marketing and promotion. Chip Schutzman is the president of Miles High Productions, an L.A.-based Internet marketing firm, and has a great deal of expertise on the subject of promoting indie musicians on the Web.

Chip, why don't you start by telling the readers what your company does.

Miles High Productions is an online marketing and promotions company for music artists and brands. We work with hundreds of artists — both independent and established — in all popular music genres and from all walks of life. I started the company in late 2002 and early 2003 after observing that so many record labels at that time were downsizing their staffs. I thought it would be a good idea to support both major and independent labels with cost-effective online marketing services to supplement their marketing endeavors.

How would you describe viral marketing and how it developed?

Viral marketing is the [Internet] equivalent of word of mouth, and it developed in community forums and chat rooms whenever someone mentioned, rated, or gave an opinion about a product and was reinforced by others.

Was there a groundbreaking viral campaign — maybe a key artist or recording project — that sparked the viral/Internet marketing revolution?

I'm sure there are many, but Phish and Dave Matthews Band are two bands that come immediately to mind, primarily due to the timing of the Internet boom and the popularity these two bands had around 1998, when fan communities were emerging online. Pearl Jam's 10 Club is another example of loyalty and a brilliantly executed and operational fan club.

What are the most important elements in an online marketing campaign?

Each artist and each online marketing company have different opinions of what the key elements are. The Miles High Productions method is to ensure that all our artists have press coverage in Webzines, online and satellite radio stations, online press wires by way of press release and early prerelease buzz on tastemaker blogging sites, and with Podcasters worldwide. Another large percentage of concentration we handle for the artist is our social-network marketing program; keeping the social sites updated on an ongoing basis as opposed to solely for the term of the online marketing campaign.

Are there basics that every artist and label has to take care of at a minimum?

By all means, yes. The more content an artist, manager, or label can contribute to their fan base online, the more traffic and return visits will occur to create a stronger loyal fan base. Song descriptions, blogs, new photos, and keeping social-networking sites refreshed all help. Artists and labels should ensure that any releases of music have been entered into the music databases (Muze/All Music Guide) and to all digital retailers on their distribution partners list.

Becoming known to a lot of people is one thing, but making money is quite another. Are there basic strategies musicians should employ to get people to hit the buy button?

Every artist should have two elements on the front page of the site: (1) an email opt-in sign-up list for future news, updates, tour date announcements, and any other news the artist wishes to promote, and (2) some form of promotional advertisement on the front page of the current product or item the artist is promoting (usually tour date links or merchandise or CD links to their online store). If the fan enjoys it, they will buy it and support the artist, in most cases.

Is there a way for artists to incorporate special products, prizes, giveaways, and contests into their promotional efforts? Have you seen specific effective uses of these methods that independent artists have used to develop their audience?

Lately I have seen artists offering a free download in exchange for signing up on their mailing list, which I feel is a great way to build up their potential consumer base over the course of their career and develop an initial relationship with the potential fan or consumer. This is cost-effective and efficient to set up as opposed to finding a sponsor for a grand prize giveaway.

When developing an online marketing and audience relationship strategy, it seems that the long-term approach of getting a potential audience to receive multiple impressions to attract them to your home page followed by getting them to return to that page is the key. Do you have advice on how to do that?

My position is that content is key. So is the interactivity the artist will have when connecting to their fans. The more photos, songs on social-network-site playlists, artist blog updates, and news that can be dispersed and updated to these pages, the more fans will revisit the page to look at new content and/or hear new songs and provide feedback to the artist.

How far in advance should an independent artist be planning their Web site and online campaign?

I always advise independent artists who are doing marketing on their own to first and foremost create a marketing plan and start working on their sites anywhere from 3 to 12 months in advance of a CD release date. For online marketing and online presence, an artist should start reaching out to bloggers and Podcasters approximately six to eight weeks in advance of the CD, while mailing out press kits to media about three to four months in advance of a CD release date.

The YouTube video is now being tossed around by industry people as the new introduction point for an emerging artist, much like the radio single was in the past.

Videos in general are becoming increasingly more popular with music fans wanting to find new music on the Web, as there is a visual element attached to the music which can help drive interest towards a particular song or artist. Viral marketing by using the YouTube embedded links has become popular on music blogs and personal music fan pages, and they help attract new audiences. Nowadays videos are much less expensive to produce due to lower-quality standards for Internet use and artists [see “You Ought to Be in Pictures.”]

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Michael A. Aczon is a 25-year veteran of the music industry, teaches music-industry courses at two colleges in California, and is the author of The Musician's Legal Companion, 2nd ed. (Cengage Publishing, 2008).

Source: Chip Schutzman, Industry Insider

Heart Honored By ASCAP, Jerry Cantrell

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For more than three decades, Heart -- aka Ann and Nancy Wilson -- have been largely championed as pioneers in women in rock. However, Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the Wilson sisters were recognized by ASCAP not for their gender, but for their songwriting. "It's a feeling of redemption in a way because we've been known so much for being women," Ann told Spinner. "That was the first thing anyone ever noticed about us. The first question we ever got asked, 'What's it like being a woman in a rock band?' This isn't about that. That means really a lot."

The honor was presented by long time Heart friend and fan Jerry Cantrell, who spoke about the Wilson sisters' support and influence on him. "I'm just really honored to be asked," he told Spinner. "We've had a long history of friendship and supporting each other. And even before I met them ... being from Seattle, having a band from your town be that badass was something to shoot for."

Both Ann and Nancy took a moment to reflect on some of the Heart songs that have endured best, and, well, not-so-well, for them. "Songs like 'Dog and Butterfly' have a poetic balance that people still really respond to," Nancy said. "It was well-crafted and still emotionally accurate. Other songs, now, feel like, 'Oh no, that's so teenage,' or 'Oh, I was so screwed up in my 20's or 30's.'"

Lest we forget the classic. "I like 'Barracuda' still," Ann said. "That song was written in anger, and it captured a lot of rage. When we play it now, it still has that edge."

Source: Heart Honored By ASCAP, Jerry Cantrell

Erika Jayne Releases New Single "Give You Everything"

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DANCE MUSIC SENSATION ERIKA JAYNE READIES RELEASE OF NEW SINGLE “GIVE YOU EVERYTHING”

Highly Anticipated Debut Album Pretty Mess Scheduled for August 11th Release

Los Angeles (April 7, 2009) – Dance music sensation Erika Jayne will bring her third single, “Give You Everything,” to iTunes on Tuesday, April 7. The surefire hit follows the heat from smash singles “Roller Coaster” and “Stars,” which both rocketed Jayne to #1 on the Billboard Dance charts and made her a favorite on dance floors across the world. The iTunes launch will also feature a package of remixes from DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious, Moto Blanco, Mike Rizzo and Dave Audé. To follow up the release, “Give You Everything” will hit radio stations nationwide on April 13^th.

“Give You Everything,” along with Jayne’s previous hit singles, will be included on her highly anticipated debut Pretty Mess, which is scheduled for a August 11th release through E1 Music. The album highlights her talent as both a singer and songwriter and shows multiple sides of Jayne by bringing together a fusion of Rhythmic Pop, Dance and chill Electronic ballads.

“I’m excited for my fans to hear Pretty Mess,” says Jayne. “When I was working on the album, I wanted to create a collection of songs that would make people want to dance and enjoy themselves – something that they could put on and have a good time.”

Production on Pretty Mess by heavy hitters Peter Rafelson (Madonna, Britney Spears, Stevie Nicks) and Eric Kupper (Shakira, Destiny’s Child, Kylie Minogue) is complemented perfectly with stellar guest production by Esthero and Jahi Lake (Chris Brown), under the name Pinklake, and Ike Dirty (Lil’ Scrappy Ying Yang Twinz), son of the legendary Isaac Hayes. Jayne also receives help from celebrated percussionist Sheila E on the track “Time to Realize;” and includes an ode to her influence Prince with a cover of his protégé Apollonia’s hit “Sex Shooter.”

The single release for “Give You Everything” will be accompanied by a video that paired Jayne with Grammy-nominated music video director Marty Thomas and choreographer Mikey Minden (The Pussycat Dolls). Set as Jayne auditions for a starring stage role that leads to a magnetic connection, the video showcases Jayne not only as a singer, but a true dancer and fashion icon.

Jayne has already achieved success ahead of her album release that is not often seen by debut artists. Her #1 singles “Roller Coaster” and “Stars” have ranked her on the Billboard Year-to-End Dance charts two years in a row with “Roller Coaster” at #9 in 2007 and “Stars” at #20 on the Dance Club Play Chart and #15 on the Dance Tracks Chart for 2008. The “Stars” video was a fan favorite on the Click List, LOGO’s music video show, and remained ranked amongst the program’s most popular videos for months. Jayne has also already seen her music make the leap to the big screen with cuts from Pretty Mess being featured in both current and upcoming movie releases.

More information and music from Erika Jayne is available at www.erikajayne.com and www.myspace.com/erikajaynemusic.

Lea Marie Debuts Single & Preps New Album

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Teen Pop Sensation Lea Marie Releases Debut CD Single World Of Wonders

Seventeen Year Old Pop Music Artist Readies CD Release for April 21, 2009

Hollywood, CA-April 20, 2009-In today’s world of music and easy accessibility to new music online, it is hard to find a “smash” single from an artist who is breaking out on the internet. That is about to change quickly as sixteen year old teen pop star Lea Marie releases her new online single, “World Of Wonders,” in advance of her new full length self-titled release which will be available on April 21, 2009.

“World of Wonders,” will be heard at over 1250 AMC Theaters around the country right before “Hannah Montana: The Movie”. Some of the AMC theaters will also have a video screen in the lobby where you can see the video for “World Of Wonders.”

Currently “World Of Wonders,” is available online at iTunes and CD Baby. Since the CD single release of “World of Wonders”, traffic for Lea Marie’s Myspace page has tripled and more people are taking note of her new video for the song at Lea Marie’s YouTube page (www.youtube.com/leamariemusicdotcom).

The new CD features 11 original songs and also includes 6 music videos including the radio single, “World Of Wonders,” and the new single, “Memories!”

Lea Marie has been busy in Nashville working with some songwriters and will return to Los Angeles with some new ideas for songs for the upcoming album.

For more information on Lea Marie, visit her website at http://www.leamariemusic.com or at Lea Marie’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/leamariemusic.

Shauna Burns Releases New EP "Anamnesis"

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Hollywood, CA-April 13, 2009-Shauna Burns continues her aural assault of the senses with a new EP titled Anamnesis. The 5 track recording is an extension of her full length album The Moon and the Fire Circle (2008).

Shauna's ethereal vocals and beautiful piano developed while growing up in Miami, Florida. Inspired by her mother's love for the piano, her songwriting thrived and when she headed west for college her development continued due to tremendous support and excitement for her work. It has been a non-stop ride for Shauna since then and every music related project pushes her to another level.

Today Shauna returns strongly with Anamnesis, featuring haunting beautiful vocals matched with her crisp piano playing. Shauna becomes one with the words and music and draws the listener into each story instantaneously. This effective melding of her soul and music reaches each listener on an individual level and continues to resonate in every circle of the music industry.

Shauna’s previous work was chosen for “Best of the Batch” from the Music Industry News Network and featured on TowerPod.com, Billboard, VH1, Artist Direct, AOL Music, Fox TV and countless others. There is no doubt that all the recognition and honors will continue with the release of Anamnesis.

The highly anticipated Anamnesis will be available April 21st. Visit the Shauna Burns website for more information on the new release and her back catalog, sound samples, pictures, and other interesting media.

Visit www.shaunaburns.com for more information.