WHITEHEART FINDS `REDEMPTION' ON NEW SET (Continued from page 12) UNICEF Hooks Up With and here was a dark, disturbing, and Christian market is the loyalty of the set's street date. The album will be edgy record." fans." distributed to the Christian market Gersmehl feels Whiteheart is now Gersmehl hopes the fans will be through Warner Christian Distribu- TNT For Benefit Concert back on track. "I felt this sense with- pleased with what they hear on tion and to the mainstream through seem to get lost in in myself of God saying, `I want to "Redemption," noting that it offers WEA. BY CARRIE BELL that the older ones he says. "UNICEF is sanctify you again. I want to wash more of what they expect of White - Plans call for a radio special to pro- the shuffle," more than Christmas cards, your dreams,' " he relates. "I felt heart, in part because the vocals are mote the album as well as "win it LOS ANGELES -To celebrate the about to remind myself writing songs again that were also more out front on this album. "I before you can buy it" contests at U.S. Committee for UNICEF's 50 and if it takes a huge event filled with yearning for the heart of felt we missed the voices on the last radio. Parr says the label is also in dis- years of helping needy children, people of that, so be it." Both Brennan and Ehrlich say God, to see the heart of God move in time out," he says. "We created a cussion with the Interl'inc company Turner Network Television (TNT) a second show the world, to be in some small way [place] for those voices to speak again. about about initiating special promo- will host and broadcast a benefit con- they have proposed only to have artists, in I do." There aren't massive guitar overdubs tions with church youth groups. cert Dec. 10 at New York's Beacon several times part of that whatever could backing fall Mark Rider, developer of network on this album. There aren't walls and "The guys are also planning on Theatre. venues, or financial image at Nashville's WAYM -FM, says walls of sound coming from guitars. going out in late fall or early January Artists slated to perform live at the through. There are plenty of guitars, but you to do a series of church dates that are Gift of Song event include Mary "The show in 1979 was one of the he has been playing the single "Jesus" I've show and getting are able to move them so the vocals going to be very acoustic, very per- Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, most exciting nights of my life. on the morning it "People are come through the heart of the song." sonality- driven, kind of like they did Celine Dion, the Fugees, Steve Win - made several attempts to re- create great phone response. says. glad and excited that Whiteheart is To promote the album, Nashville on the Salt Box tour last year," Parr wood, and George Michael. Inter- because it is worthwhile," Ehrlich "Luckily I didn't give up, because we still putting records out," he says. "I residents Florian and Gersmehl, along adds. spersed throughout the benefit will in TNT." don't think people wanted Whiteheart with Smiley, who has moved to Parr says the label has planned a be creative pieces by a host of film found a real supporter include a full This is certainly a great Phoenix to be closer to his family, have "multilevel marketing plan that uses and TV personalities that illustrate That support will to go away. adver- record. There's a lot of honesty in this been traveling the country doing spe- every avenue, over the course of a six- the goals and programs of UNICEF. national print and electronic as well as in -house album, which I really like." cial acoustic performances at Christ- month period, to give us a prolonged "With this eclectic mix of perform- tising campaign promo- Parr says she saw emotional reac- ian retail outlets. presence in the marketplace." ers, this is destined to be taken out of TNT spots and cross-channel Turner channels, such tions from fans who thought the band This Redemption Days promotion- The band plans to embark on the the realm of just another concert on tions on other was breaking up. "We were getting al tour has hit numerous markets, Redemption tour next spring. White - TV," says producer Ken Ehrlich. as TBS and CNN. like an unusual calls from people who were in tears," including Los Angeles, Chicago, Dal- heart is managed by Cindy Dupree of "There will be new songs or covers. "TNT may seem we specialize in big - she says, "fans who were calling to ask las, Minneapolis, Seattle, Indianapo- the New York -based Dupree Manage- Different types of artists will proba- venue because movies or huge sporting events if it was true that the band was broken lis, and St. Louis and will wind up at ment. At press time, the act was not bly perform together. We'll shake event says Bradley J. Sie- up. The great thing we have in the Nashville's Baptist Bookstore on the signed to a booking agency. things up enough that this will be a and not music," one -time -only event people won't gal, president of TNT and Turner want to miss." Classic Movies. "But this is more concert. It is a major interna- ADDS EPIC STRIPES All the artists involved agreed to than a POLLY ANTHONY turn over copyrights of the songs per- tional charity event. Of all places, page 1) (Continued from formed to the U.S. Committee for TNT is the one that can pull this off." live in the music for the label; Kaz Utsunomiya named GMs as they become familiar far, with 2.7 million units, according UNICEF. TNT will air the concert show immedi- has joined Epic as a senior VP of with their new positions. to SoundScan; and Ginuwine's "Gin - "Of course, using a concert and U.S. with an encore following. It will also run live in A &R; and Michael Caplan, VP of Glew adds that he is confident that uwine's ... The Bachelor." Among celebrities to promote UNICEF's ately as time zones and A &R, has been promoted to senior Anthony can sustain "separate Epic's successes this year are Baby - cause isn't a new idea," says Bob as many countries permit. There are VP of A &R. visions" for both labels that have now face's "The Day "; the "Jerry Brennan, chief of the public partici- associated stations In addition to the reassignment of been put under her charge. But, he Maguire" soundtrack; Silverchair's pation section of UNICEF. "The no plans to repeat it. to Griffiths, Craig Lambert, senior VP notes, "John Doelp has been a key "Freak Show "; and Indigo Girls' 1997 show follows in the footsteps of Tickets will also be made available many and how at Epic, is expected to leave the label player at 550, with a very distinct "Shaming Of The Sun." the first Gift of Song concert, held the public, although how has yet to be deter- as a result of the realignment. vision. He will be running 550 Music In addition, the label has just re- Jan. 10, 1979, at the United Nations. much they will cost Mottola says the moves were made on a day-to -day basis." leased Oasis' `Be Here Now" and has It included sets by 10 acts, among mined. The 19'79 performance was only "to help refocus the two labels," According to SoundScan, the Epic a Pearl Jam album on tap for later them the Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, and open to U.N. delegates and VIPs. adding that the changes also "allow Records Group, as of Sept. 14, had a this year. Donna Summer. Although there are no specific other key executives to be elevated market share of 5.8 %, of which 3.8% In addition to Epic and 550 Music, "Since we used our first celebrity plans for the release of an album it is likely. "Music and have a chance to grow." was from Epic. The label group finished the Epic Records Group also encom- spokesperson, Danny Kaye, in 1953, from the concert, Gift "There is no greater teacher than last year with a market share of about passes the Work Group. Among its we've acknowledged that the public For The UNICEF Concert -A the first Dave Glew to groom these executives 6.1 %, of which Epic contributed 4.3 %. strongest -selling records this year pays more attention to the views and Of Song," a double album of helped raise to reach the next level," he adds. Among 550's strongest -selling are Jamiroquai's "Travelling Without goals of UNICEF when they are concert released in 1979, Glew says he will now "get a little albums so far this year are Celine Moving," the soundtrack to "My Best delivered by famous people. It espe- $10 million. TV, is in more hands -on with the two labels." Dion's "Falling Into You," which is Friend's Wedding," and Fiona cially works for younger people, who "Whether one sees it on He plans on assisting both newly the No. 4- selling album of the year so Apple's "Tidal." idolize these celebrities," he says. the audience, or is involved with the Anthony has been president of 550 Ehrlich, who produced the first production, we want them to walk Music since November 1994 and had Gift of Song as well as "VH1 Hon- away wishing it had never ended," Brennan says. SERGIO GEORGE FORMS LABEL WITH WEA LATINA served as GM of the label since its in- ors," "Fame," and 16 Grammy tele- ception in October 1993. casts, agrees that using current stars "Whether one sees it on TV, is in (Continued from page 8) Previously, she had been senior VP is the best way to teach a new gener- the audience, or is involved with the careers, broken artists, and discov- Columbia Records. of promotion for Epic Records. In ation how vital UNICEF's work is. production, we want them to walk ered musical styles. And that is what Though no artists have yet been June of this year, she received the "There are so many worthy caus- away wishing it had never ended," we are looking for with this deal-the signed to Sir George Records, the CEO Special Recognition Award from es out there fighting for attention Brennan says. next millennium of music." label's initial product is expected to Sony chairman/CEO Norio Ohga. Zamora, who engineered the earlier debut in January. Apart from his pro- Sir George distribution pact with Sony duction duties related to the label, when he was Sony's VP/GM, says his George is busy helming the projects of relationship with George sealed the other artists. joint-venture deal. George recently produced four "Sergio and I have worked together tracks on Charly Cardona's forthcom- since the Sony days, and he has proved ing salsa disc on WEA Latina. Mike himself to be one of the best producers and Eddie, a production team signed of Latin music," states Zamora. to Sir George Productions, are over- "Everything he touches hits No. 1." seeing the upcoming WEA Latina George echoes Zamora's comments, debut by merengue /pop duo Servando saying that his previous dealings with & Florentino. the executive were a key element to Further, George is producing demo the accord. tracks with Jennifer López, star of the "I was approached by most of the biopic "Selena." A jingle he composed majors a month before the Sony deal for a Japanese brandy firm based on ended," recalls George, "but, basically, the classic "Bésame Mucho" has been I was comfortable with George and released in Japan as a single by EMI what WEA Latina was building. It is a Japan artist Anna. true partnership." Despite his past success, George fig- As for the upstart imprint's musi- ures that he has just struck the tip of cal direction, George reckons the the iceberg with his signature urban/ sounds could be classified best as a tropical sound. "bilingual hip -hop, Latin tropical "I'm just scratching the surface," J thing" that could cross over into the says George. "This music is the wave Sony Soiree. The MTV Video Music Awards after -party thrown by Thomas D. Mottola, president /COO of Sony Music English market. of the future. You are not going to real- Entertainment, at the Spy Bar was the gala of choice for many music executives and artists in New York for the show. Already, DLG, signed to George's ly see this music explode for a couple Attending the event, from left, are Mottola; Sean "Puffy" Combs, president of Bad Boy Entertainment; former E Street Band production company, Sergio George of years, and that is why I am making singer Patti Scialfa; and Bruce Springsteen, who played guitar for the Wallflowers during their performance. Productions, is drawing interest from inroads now."

BILLBOARD SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 105 www.americanradiohistory.com