Texas Music Journal » Artist Management

Kirtland Records Keeps a Busy Stable of Performers

Sam Moore — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:05:48 +0000

This is a busy time of year for the Texas music acts working with the Dallas-based Kirtland Records label.

After finishing a sold-out European tour, Sarah Jaffe is back on the road, supporting Norah Jones.

“I feel honored and lucky to be playing music and get this opportunity,” Jaffe said. “It will be nice playing in front of people who are coming to listen – both to me and to her.”

Jaffe will perform during both Denton’s NX35 and Austin’s SXSW festivals. Her debut CD, “Suburban Nature,” will be in stores May 18. “Vulnerable,” the first release from the work, is available on iTunes right now.

Bob Schneider just shot a music video for “40 Dogs.” He isn’t saying yet who was involved with the video, but does say it will be amazing. Schneider will also perform during SXSW. Included in his Austin schedule will be a show at Rachel Ray’s annual Feedback party. He will then tour the east coast, and move on then to the UK.

Smile Smile’s new CD, “Truth on Tape,” is in stores now. It proves that failed relationships can help create a good piece of music. Elle Magazine said about the CD, “Feeling lonely or simply let down by love? Crack open a beer and pop in ‘Truth on Tape,’ a break-up album that will lift your spirits and maybe even open your heart to possibility – but not necessarily the romantic kind.”

Meanwhile, the favorite sons of north Texas, Eleven Hundred Springs, are busy promoting their new CD, “This Crazy Life.” “Show Me the Money” is the first release and is climbing the Texas music charts. The band is constantly on tour.

One thing is certain: any act associated right now with Kirtland Records is going to stay busy.

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Kevin Fowler Signs With Lyric Street Records

Sam Moore — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:18:35 +0000

Nashville, TN – Lyric Street Records and Triple 8 Management gathered in Waco over the weekend to celebrate the signing of Texas music sensation Kevin Fowler to the label’s artist roster prior to his show at The Heart of Texas Complex.

A native of Amarillo, Fowler is an all-around artist who rocks his distinctive brand of southern country from the stage, winning devoted fans with such crowd favorites as “Beer Season” and “Best Mistake I Ever Made,” and delivers solidly as a songwriter, with such credits that include Montgomery Gentry’s recording “Long Line Of Losers” and George Jones’ recording “Beer, Bait And Ammo.”

With an already established loyal fanbase in the Southwest that has allowed him to sell more than 325,000 albums, and, in 2009 alone, over 180,000 hard tickets as a headlining act, Lyric Street Records is set to launch Fowler to country radio and retail at a national level.

Kevin Fowler’s first music on Lyric Street Records is expected this Spring.

For additional information on Kevin Fowler please visit www.kevinfowler.com or follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kevinfowler.

Lyric Street Records is a part of the Disney Music Group. The Disney Music Group is the recorded music and music publishing arm of the Walt Disney Studios.

Front row: Brian Hill (Paradigm Agency), Kelly Vermillion (Tripe 8 Management), Jenn Adams (Tripe 8 Management), Haley Elander (Tripe 8 Management), Larry Murray (Tripe 8 Management),
Middle row: Ashley Heron (Lyric Street Records), Sarah Blincoe (Tripe 8 Management), George Couri (Tripe 8 Management)
Back row: Kevin Herring (Lyric Street Records), Karen McGuire (Tripe 8 Management), John Ettinger (Lyric Street Records), Kevin Fowler, Doug Howard (Lyric Street Records), Dale Turner (Lyric Street Records), Chris Palmer (Lyric Street Records), Neda Tobin (Lyric Street Records), Cindy Heath (Lyric Street Records)

Kirtland Records Looks Back and Ahead

Sam Moore — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:27:45 +0000

Dallas-based Kirtland Records has had a successful year by any standard. As 2009 comes to a close, they shared with Texas Music Journal what they consider to be their top-10 moments of the year.

10
ELEVEN HUNDRED SPRINGS JOINS THE STABLE
Sonar Management adds Eleven Hundred Springs to their management roster, joining Toadies and Smile Smile. “Country? Yes. But they are still just long-haired, tattooed hippy freaks like the rest of us.”

9
TOADIES “MADE IN TEXAS” EP AND UK DATES
Toadies played their first ever UK tour dates in June 2009 and also released a UK EP. It combined tracks from the band’s three previous albums.

8
SMILE SMILE and METRIC
Smile Smile joined Metric for a US tour, which included sold-out stops in Seattle, Washington D.C., Chicago and New York. Smile Smile also played with Loretta Lynn, Mat Kearney and Simple Plan, among others.

7
TOADIES ROCK AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL
After a full year of sellouts, Toadies rocked the main stage at this year’s ACL Festival. They were immediately followed by Dead Weather and Pearl Jam.

6
DALLAS OBSERVER MUSIC AWARDS
Toadies won Best Hard Rock Act at the 2009 Dallas Observer Music Awards. Kirtland also took home the Best Label award.

5
DIA DE LOS TOADIES 2
The second Dia De Los Toadies took place at Rough Creek Ranch. The stellar lineup of Texas artists included The Secret Machines, Bowling for Soup, Ben Kweller, Eleven Hundred Springs and The Boom Boom Box.

4
BUSH ON GUITAR HERO 5
Bush’s classic hit “Comedown” is included in Guitar Hero 5. Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale made a special visit to Dallas to perform at the annual 2X2 First Look charity event, produced by Kirtland Records.

3
ELEVEN HUNDRED SPRINGS, SMILE SMILE RELEASE 2010 RELEASE DATES
“This Crazy Life” from Eleven Hundred Springs will be available February 2 on Smith Music. Smile Smile’s next release, “Truth on Tape,” will be available February 9.

2
KIRTLAND SIGNS BOB SCHNEIDER
Bob Schneider releases “Lovely Creatures” on Kirtland Records. The CD contains a duet with Patty Griffin. “Lovely Creatures” debuts on the Billboard Top 200, Top 20 Indie Chart and number-5 heatseeker. “40 Dogs,” the first single released, is currently number-15 on the AAA radio chart.

1
SARAH JAFFE SIGNING
Kirtland Records is proud and excited over the signing of singer/songwriter Sarah Jaffe. Her first full length CD, “Suburban Nature,” will be released in Spring 2010. She will open for Midlake on a UK tour, and is scheduled to perform in South by Southwest 2010.

Heavy Hitting and Heavy Metal

Sam Moore — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:11:24 +0000

There is a new name in Texas Heavy Metal.

Free Reign, featuring the Dallas Cowboy’s Marc Colombo, Cory Procter and Leonard Davis, along with local guitar virtuoso Justin Chapman, have signed a world wide deal with Australia’s Riot Entertainment. Their upcoming debut EP is set for release in the fall.

Free Reign has been branded ‘Heavier than Metal’ for their intense musical style as well as their intimidating stage presence. They bring something unique to this powerful genre.

“This is an amazing opportunity for Riot and to further establish our name internationally,” said Riot Owner / CEO John Howarth. “Free Reign is a band with massive potential. There has been an enormous buzz surrounding them since they appeared on the scene a few months ago. Free Reign has already been flooded with endorsements. Their marketing potential is limitless. These guys are already huge sports stars, but they have shown they have the talent to diversify. I am positive that Metal fans will embrace Free Reign and see them take it to the next level.

“These are exciting times for Riot and we are excited to see what the future holds. This is something that has never been done before, and this band is a long term project.”

“The members of Free Reign and myself are equally excited to be working with John Howarth and his team at Riot Entertainment” said Free Reign Manager John Gomez. “Riot has a great track record and they work hard for their Artists, we all look forward to a bright future together and are honored to call Riot our new home.”

Riot is also the new home for Fozzy, fronted by WWE Wrestling superstar Chris Jericho and featuring Stuck Mojo mastermind Rich Ward.

“I would love to see a double bill with these bands, imagine that! No security needed!” suggested Howarth. “I know that would be one heck of a gig. Imagine WWE, NFL, Fozzy and Free Reign fans all under the one roof; only the strong would survive!”

Free Reign play their last gig before their NFL season commitment begins, Saturday at the House of Blues in Dallas.