Flyleaf's Air -Play Anaís Arrives Ready To Rock'n'roll Newest Protégé They're Back! Christian radio breaks First U.S. -based talent Joan Jett talks Warped Dion the latest artist Vets like Yusuf Islam rock act's self -titled CD slow finalist hits charts tour in 6 Questions guided by a hip-hop star return after long absences 42 46 46

MAY 27, 2006

COUNTRY BY PHYLLIS STARK MICHELLE BRANCHES INTO COUNTRY Pop Star Has New Duo, New Album -And A Hit In Nashville

NASHVILLE -It's not every are fully committed to country really understand." new country act that lands and not just moonlighting." Harp adds, "The label was high -profile appearances on The pair, whose name is like, 'Fiddle? Really ?' But they "The Tonight Show With Jay short for "Homewreckers," dis- let us do our thing." Leno" and "The View," or the covered while on the road that Immediately after finishing coveted opening slot on the their voices worked well to- the album, Branch learned she tour. But then, not gether. Harp, who briefly had a was pregnant with her first every new act features development deal with Elektra child with her husband, musi- Grammy Award -winning pop Entertainment, was literally cian Teddy Landau. The duo star as does driving to Nashville from her took about a year off, time . hometown of Kansas City to Branch says helped the Maver- Teamed with her best friend sign a contract with Dualtone ick staff wrap its head around and former backup singer Jes- Records in 2004 when she and the music and come up with a sica Harp, Branch says she is de- Branch committed to their plan. plan to market it in collabora- voted to redirecting her career Harp turned her car around and tion with Warner Bros. into . Their first drove to Los Angeles to meet Nashville. If it hadn't been for collaboration, "Stand Still, with Branch. that break, she predicts, "The Look Pretty," is a fresh col- They recorded the bulk of project probably would have lection of songs, mostly the album with producer John gone down the toilet." written by Branch, Harp Leventhal in New York, but later Both labels "agreed the or both. The album, due May added tracks recorded with focus should be developing 23, is a joint release from pop in Los Angeles them as country artists," says label -Branch's label and Paul Worley in Nashville. David Grant, Maverick director home for her two platinum -sell- The Shanks collaboration be- of marketing. "That is what the ing solo albums -and sister came the first single. music dictates." Despite label Warner Bros. Nashville. The album blends progres- Branch's pop history, neither Country radio was quick to sive country, pop and roots label has plans to work the proj- embrace debut single "Leave rock, wrapped around the ect to any format other than the Pieces," which is No. 29 on pair's harmonies. country. Billboard's Given the direction of the But they are trying to reach chart this issue. "Having the music, Branch says country Branch's fan base. The market- street cred of Michelle Branch seemed like the most obvious ing plan calls for TV advertis- may have helped them get home. But it took a while to con- ing campaigns at CMT and some attention initially, but the vince both herself and her label GAC, but also VH1, MTV and E! Label: Maverick/ Warner act as a whole certainly merits to give it a try. The Wreckers will get major Bros. Vaswille attention," says Doug Mont- "For a few years, I had been exposure in the country world Management: The zirm gomery, PD of WBCT Grand trying to work up the courage opening 23 dates on the (Michelle Brancl-), into it," Branch says. Flatts tour, which begins May Refugee Management Rapids, Mich. to jump () KUSS San Diego PD Mike And Maverick needed a dose 26. Branch says both women Booking: William Morris O'Brian thinks Branch's recog- of courage, too. are grateful they're not start- Agency nition factor is double- sided. "We told them we wanted it ing out playing "a club tour Publishing: I'm Etill With "For the real hard -line country to be an organic, country in- where we have to share the Band, BMI (Branch); will Barefoot and Starry Eyed PDs /MDs, [the duo] prob- strumentation record," Branch grungy bathrooms. [This] Music /Soly ATV Music, ably have had to work recalls. "In their mind, it was the be a nice, cushy tour with (Harp) BMI twice as hard to prove they ugly 'C' word, and they didn't good catering."

MAY 27, 2006 www.billboard.biz I 39

www.americanradiohistory.com