--------------------------------------------------------------------------- TLeM1.1.6 RECORD COMPANY PRESS RELEASES: Myrrh Records and Gotee Records Announce Distribution Agreement For Immediate Release: August 23, 1994 Nashville, Tennessee--Myrrh Records and Gotee Records are pleased to announce the formation of a long-term Christian market distribution deal. Effective immediately, all CBA sales and distribution of Gotee Records product will be available through Myrrh Records/Word Distribution. Since Myrrh Records' mission has always been to reach young people through various musical genres, the relationship between Myrrh and Gotee Records is a natural partnership. "Myrrh is thrilled to be able to play a role in the development of Gotee Records. Their vision as a company fits the creative edge for which Myrrh is known," said Jim Chaffee, Vice President/General Manager of Myrrh Records. Word, Inc. is committed to the partnership as well. "Having Gotee as part of our family further refines Word's multi-faceted vision for reaching all aspects of our modern culture," commented Loren Balman, Sr. Vice President/Artist & Creative Development, Word Inc. "Everything about this relationship feels good," said Joey Elwood, President of Gotee Records. "Gotee Records now has a home to develop artists and make great records. We're extremely fortunate to have a mentor like Myrrh/Word Records on our side." For almost two years, Elwood and DC Talk's Toby McKeehan have run a successful production company, Gotee Productions (DC Talk, Karthi, Troy Johnson, Audio Adrenaline). McKeehan and Elwood have five years of experience in all aspects of the music business, and the formation of Gotee Records is the realization of a long-time dream for the two. Gotee Records' vision is to point today's youth toward God. "We want to develop artists that can be a voice to the youth. Pearl Jam is a voice to the youth. Public Enemy is a voice to the youth. Gotee Records will develop artists that can be a positive voice to today's youth," stated McKeehan. Gotee Records has selected Word's John Stewart to be the Director of Sales & Marketing. Since 1991, Stewart has been responsible for marketing Word's Gospel projects. He has also been involved in the launch of Word's HeartCry Records, and the formation of Word Distribution's field marketing staff. Gotee Records' inaugural release is Out of Eden's Lovin' the Day, set for an October 5th release. Out of Eden combines R&B, hip-hop and pop, and has already received a great amount of radio and video airplay. The group has recently completed DC Talk's 56-city Free at Last tour. They will tour this fall with Audio Adrenaline, and will tour again with DC Talk throughout 1995. Unprecedented demand for Out of Eden's upcoming release has already resulted in the sale of over 10,000 "Lovely Day" singles through Christian retailers. The second Gotee Records project, Christafari, will release in the first quarter of 1995. BRIAN BARRETT SIGNS ON THE LINE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--SEPTEMBER 1,1994 NASHVILLE, TN--Star Song recording artist Brian Barrett has signed an exclusive booking agreement with Ambassador Artist Agency headed by Nashville music business veteran Wes Yoder. Yoder now handles all booking of concert dates and performances for Barrett. Yoder has experience booking artists with a roster now including David Meece, Rebecca St. James, Aaron Jeoffrey, Dino, Buddy Greene, Susie Luchsinger, Lenny LeBlanc, Larry Dalton and Barrett. Already performing for various audiences, Barrett has been embraced by contemporary Christian and mainstream country listeners with his self-titled, debut album. His first single, "A Wing And A Prayer," went straight to #2 on CCM's and CRR's AC charts, and "The Cross Road, " Barrett's first single to the Christian country charts, hit the #1 spot in the Christian country charts and in the top ten in CCM's and CRR's charts. Barrett has completed a video for his upcoming single, "I Know," that has already been sent to Christian and secular video outlets and appeared on the INSP network and CCM-TV. Polishing his boots and his solo performances, Barrett is preparing for the upcoming 20-city October tour with Phillips, Craig & Dean and new artist Cheri Keaggy. Having recently returned from a 10- day Canadian tour, Barrett continues to travel a full calendar of solo dates across the U.S., hitting the trail heavily in the South. PETRA RE-SIGNS WITH WORD RECORDS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 17,1994) Nashville--Grammy and Dove Award-winning Christian rock band Petra has just re-signed an exclusive recording contract with Word Records. According to Lynn Keesecker, Vice President/General Manager for Word Records, "The long-term agreement provides for a 1995 record release from Petra and the possibility of a future praise album, among other records in the deal. Our vision for Petra's future is to achieve unprecedented visibility and support of Christian rock's original premiere band." Petra founder and lead guitarist Bob Hartman said, "Petra is very happy to be continuing our relationship with Word Records. Over the last few years, people throughout the company have expressed their belief in our ministry both verbally and through their hard work on our behalf. We are excited about continuing into the future together." Petra began their recording career at Word over 20 years ago with their first two albums. In 1989, they resigned with Word and have released four records and four video packages, including Petra Praise, Beyond Belief, Unseen Power and 1993's Wake-Up Call as well as a Spanish version of Petra Praise. Roland Lundy, Word Records & Music President commented, "Word's sales of Petra product account for more than 2 million units. Their renewed record commitment will enable Word to strengthen and support Petra's music ministry in the future." The band resigned the new agreement with a party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville. Memorabilia from Petra's two decade career is displayed there as well as in the Hard Rock, Atlanta. Tooth & Nail Records News Blenderhead This recording is probably the most unique in all hard music. Combining creativity with loud grinding guitars and driving drums, this gem can be found elegant and provocative to not only the hard music lovers, but also rock and alternative. Blenderhead is grand! Helpless Amongst Friends A compilation of the finest hard-core bands in the entire Christian industry, this is the Grand-Pooh-Bah of all compilations. For hard music lovers it is not only a must, but a basic requirement. But just as you start to pass this off as just another hard album, check out the single, "Token," from So. Cal. lurch rock band Mend. You'll find it easily accessible to both hard and alternative listeners. The hard-core comp. is especially grand! Unashamed This is the hard band of all hard bands. They look nice, they are nice, but they are the loudest band on all Tooth & Nail. With nice hair and clothes, Unashamed pushes their powerful blend of hard-core into wherever people are bold enough to listen. A selection definitely only for the hard, hard-core listener. This is loud in a grand way. The Crucified For the Christian industry, The Crucified are true pioneers. One of the very first hard thrash bands to ever play Christian music. From mainstream to churches, The Crucified are one of the greatest. Have a listen to this disc, its their first record which was never available in stores until now. This has stood the test of time, that is grand. Blenderhead Blenderhead was founded in the summer of 1992 as the musical brainchild of Bill Power (Ex. Point Blank, Ashes to Ashes and Gloria). Blenderhead is one of the first bands of its kind to enter any music industry. They lean toward more polished styles of punk rock, while infusing various other influences creating the perfect blend to wake up and take a shower to. Over breakfast you'll probably begin to enjoy the 20 page color booklet included with the CD, and chances are, at a close listen, you will be impressed by the fast, melodic punk rock with all sorts of (in the words of Bill himself) breakneck time changes. The Band in 1992 with its original line up, Bill Power-vocals, Matt Johnson- drums, Bili Repenning-guitar and Bryan Gray on bass, recorded their first single, "Invasion of the Bra in snatchers " for the ACM Journal 3rd Anniversary Compilation CD. Shortly after Brian and Bili left the band. In 1993 Blenderhead released, on their own label, a self titled cassette EP. During this time they arrived at the line up which they currently hold: Bill and Matt both original members and then Ed Carrigan on guitar, Eben Haase- guitar, and Paul Henry on bass. This band through the course of both line ups, have played some very impressive shows with quite a few different bands, to name a few: Crucified, Poor Old Lu, The Clergy, Prayer Chain, Undertow, MxPx, Crashdog, Sometime Sunday, Focused and Wish for Eden. In 1994 Blenderhead was signed to Tooth & Nail records and recorded their first full length album (produced by Aaron Sprinkle of Poor Old Lu) titled, "Prime Candidate for Burnout," along with a 4 song 7" entitled "Live At The Blue Tile Lounge." In addition, an outake from "Prime Candidate for Burnout" was featured on the Tooth & Nail sampler CD, "Helpless Amongst Friends'! Much of their music on these recordings is either music/art for the sake of art, or, the new breed of intelligent punk rock which bears heavy messages about the state of Christians and the world today. Bill Powers speaks out in the song "Choice," "America, you have the right to be wrong." They definitely do. "Blenderhead believes that Jesus Christ came, was crucified, died was buried and on the third day rose to be seated at the right hand of God. We believe that Jesus was God. We believe the Holy Bible to be the authoritative word of God and trust in its promises. We have all accepted Christ as our savior." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------