ETHERIDGE ROCKS BACK ON ISLAND WITH `BREAKDOWN' (Continued from page 1) Music Group. configurations of "Breakdown." cable series, "Beyond Chance," a real- label begins soliciting airplay for acoustic ballad, though the artist says The elaborate, multitiered plan to "When we stopped recording, we ity -based show featuring true stories "Angels Would Fall." The single will be her children "inspire every area of my relaunch the rocker's name into con- had 15 songs, which seemed like far too about people who have endured unusu- available only as a maxi-CD, starting life and music. They inspire me to walk sumer consciousness leaves few much to ask the average listener to al life challenges. The program pre- Tuesday (31). Among the early sup- through my fear and be a little more stones unturned -with an emphasis endure," she says with a laugh. "Even miered Aug. 16. porters of the track are WPLJ New open." on fan -driven efforts that include after the pain of whittling the album Etheridge's television agenda also York, KLOS Los Angeles, KBCO Den- Among the more daring moments of offering three collectible configura- down to 11 cuts, I found that I still real- includes stints on "Rosie O'Donnell" ver, and KXST Santee, Calif. "Breakdown" are "Mama, I'm tions of the album. ly liked the remaining cuts, and I (Oct. 4), "Late Night With David Let- "It has a familiar sound, but it also Strange," a ballsy, garage -rock exam- In addition to the regular 11 -track didn't want to let them go." terman" (Oct. 6), "Live With Regis & exhibits immeasurable growth," says ination of adolescent alienation that is CD /cassette release, there will be a Enter Etheridge's manager, Bill Kathie Lee" (Oct. 7), "Lifetime's Inti- Donna Shomen, assistant music di- about as lyrically direct as she's ever limited -edition CD with different art, Leopold, who collaborated with Island mate Portraits" (Oct. 29), and "The rector at KXST. "There's a lot of gotten in a song. work and three bonus tracks ( "Touch Def Jam on the concept of issuing the warmth in her vocal, and the song is so "It was the first song I wrote for the & Go," "Cherry Avenue," and extra tunes in a way that would please catchy. It's a great way of re- entering album, two years ago," she says. "I "Beloved ") that came out of the die -hards. "The idea appealed to the `Everything I write the market." wanted to capture that feeling of feel- "Breakdown" sessions. There will also part of me that remembers what it was The track is accompanied by a video- ing disconnected from the world. It's be a vinyl version of the set, packaged like to want every possible song by my comes from truth. It clip directed by the artist. "For me, writing about being young, but it cer- with 10 separate "art cards," and a favorite artists," Etheridge says. may not be my directing the video was a natural tainly applies to the adult experience- promo -only 7 -inch vinyl pressing of the Although Island Def Jam does not extension of the creative musical at least it sometimes does for me." single `Angels Would Fall," with the have a quantity cap for the special - permanent truth, process," she says. Another pivotal cut on the album is non -album B -side cut "They Don't edition CD or vinyl, Tallman says the Rife with the jangly guitars and "Scarecrow," a stomach -churning take Know Me." label is "strongly urging" retailers but it's the truth of heartfelt lyrics that have become on the murder of Matthew Shepard in The special- edition CD and vinyl not to heavily stock the items: "We Etheridge's signature, "Breakdown" a bias crime last October. It marks the album will list at $18.98, $1 more than don't want to draw attention away a moment in my signifies what Island Def Jam chair- first time Etheridge has taken on a the regular CD. These items became from the actual album or make it man Jim Caparro calls "the return of topical issue in her material. "I need- available on a pre -sell basis Aug. 6 via appear less attractive." life' one of rock's most important stars. The ed to get it out of my system," she says, various Internet outlets and tradition- Drumming up interest in "Break- - MELISSA ETHERIDGE - music is in step with today." adding that the experience of the song al retail. While the number of orders down" started in April, when the label He adds that Etheridge's break "possessed her. It became a song with- are not yet available, several retailers began utilizing the artist's Internet from recording was "good for her. It out me trying. I just started writing are reporting active consumer interest. Web site (wwwmelissaetheridge.com) Tonight Show With Jay Leno" (Nov allowed time for her to grow as a per- lines down." "It's a good time for this record to and fan club mailing list to distribute 26). Additionally, she will be VH1's son and as an artist, and it shows on Etheridge is not sure if she'll add the come out," says Kevin Engler, senior information about the set. Additionally, artist of the month in December. this album." tune to her set when she hits the road music buyer at Best Buy. "There's a the project was heavily promoted at gay The artist will also be featured on the Lyor Cohen, co-president of the label for a concert tour in October. "I just lack of good old- fashioned rock'n'roll and lesbian pride events throughout the network's concert program "Hard group, agrees, noting that "artists like don't know if I can get through it," she out there right now -and this is a U.S. during late spring /early summer. Rock Live," due to air Oct. 9. Island Def Melissa make our lives easier. She has admits. "Recording it was one of the strong return for her." "Basically, the moment we knew we Jam will host a series of listening par- an innate understanding of her core more emotional experiences of my Mike Coleman, manager of Vinyl had the album, we started working on ties at Hard Rock Cafes throughout the consumer. She never loses that focus, career. I'm so proud of how it came out. Fever in Tallahassee, Fla., notes that raising awareness," Tallman says. "It's U.S., U.K, and continental Europe on and that makes her special." It's an element to this album that feels the vinyl pressing is "a nice touch that been an organic, gradual process that's Oct. 4. That show will be premiered at For Etheridge, sharing herself with so honest, so revealing-and that's shows a real reverence for the hardcore worked largely because Melissa has each event, and the CD will be offered fans is key. "I used to love digging always the goal of an artist ... to be fans who want something special. She's been so energetic and open to working for sale at midnight at the clubs. through records and deciphering the fully open." always had a passionate following, and far in advance of the release date." The listening parties will be a cor- lyrics, feeling close to the artist. It's it looks like they are going to come out The artist spent much of June mak- nerstone of the international introduc- what I hope I have with the people who in full force for her this time." ing early radio appearances and tap- tion of "Breakdown," which is available listen to my music. Everything I write Etheridge says her longtime fans ing television shows. VH1 premiered in most territories Oct. 4. Etheridge comes from truth. It may not be my were the prime reason for the multiple an Etheridge episode of "Behind The will also eventually visit Europe for a permanent truth, but it's the truth of Music" Aug. 1, with additional airings round of press and television appear- a moment in my life." planned shortly before the album's in- ances. Fans looking for insight into Eth- store date. She also completed a 13- The radio campaign for "Break- eridge's recent motherhood will fmd it -VM7, week hosting run of a new Lifetime down" starts on Monday (30), when the in "Truth Of The Heart," a tender AVAB AB:, illrrifirrrrir 1 ff ci 300 ilir 1 '-- r- rp--- OPENSPACE LAUNCHES WITH RADIO WEB SERVICES just (Continued from page 92) 1,_ r rr '-. r= JI fr -PP Pr"- So what's to stop a station from mak- unusual to the digital- distribution RANDOM BITS: K-tel Online has $99 ing a deal with, say, the Weather Chan- arena- children's music. The compa- named Randy Malinoff to the new hit!): T *\ \T,'.hiill;r;:fdreom nel on its own? Rosen says companies ny has acquired digital-distribution post of GM. Malinoff, who previously that take that route often are cutting rights to the music catalog of Drive was executive VP of marketing for Exclusive Album Reviews themselves out of the chance to cull Entertainment, which brings an addi- Entertainment Internet Inc., will over- important demographic information. tional 1,800 songs to its roster, includ- see all of K tel's Internet operations... When You Make CDs Arsonists "When a station does a deal with ing those of artists Frank Sinatra, CDbeat.com has hired music engi- "As The World Burns" Weather.com and has a co- branded Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, neer/producer Brad Morrison to con- with Disc Makers! (Matador) site, it might look just the same, but Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, and sult on the design of its CD- enhance- Full color, glossy, 11" x 17" posters are the ideal when a user puts in his ZIP code, that Waylon Jennings. ment software. way to promote gigs, record releases, or store Holger Czukay ZIP code goes to Weather.com. In most But beyond its offerings for adults, Tunes.com has postponed its initial appearances. Make CDs with Disc Makers, and "Good Morning Story" cases the station doesn't get the infor- Mcy will begin selling albums from public offering (Sites + Sounds, Bill- you can get 300 full color posters for just $99! mation at all," Rosen says. Drive's Golden Records label. Gold- board, Aug. 21) until sunnier skies (Tone Casualties) FREE Beyond radio stations, Rosen says, en, the label counterpart to Golden return over the online music market. catalog! Five Style the OpenSpace model makes sense for Books & Video, owns the rights to Tunes had intended to go public the 1- 800 -488 -9353 'Miniature Portraits" local TV stations, newspaper franchis- soundtracks from such book and week of Aug. 16 but delayed in light of (Sub Pop) es, entertainment conglomerates, or video properties as "The Poky Little sagging stocks from competitors like DISC MAKERS "any company with a lot of brands Puppy" and "The Saggy Baggy Ele- MP3.com, Musicmaker.com, and Liq- www.discmakers.com [email protected] under their label." He says EMI is phant." Perhaps most significantly, uid Audio. News Updates Twice Daily interested in a test run. Golden also owns some of the mas- "I don't see Sony's portal," he ters to the soundtracks of early Dis- BPI COMMUNICATIONS INC. Chairman: Gerald S. Hobbs President 8 CEO: John B. Babcock Jr. Hot Product Previews says, "or a portal for Condé Nast or ney animated movies such as "Snow Executive Vice Presidents: Mark Dacey, Robert J. Dowling, Howard Lander Senior Vice Presidents: Paul Curran, Ann Haire, Rosalee Lovett, Craig Reiss Vice President: Glenn Heffernan Chairman Every Monday News Corp. or Time Warner, now White," "Pinocchio," and "The Jun- Emeritus: W.D. Liffleford that there is no Pathfinder. None of gle Book," which it co- produced. ©Copyright 1999 by BPI Communications Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored these companies have done it them- Release plans for those albums have in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo. A new Billboard Challenge copying, recording , sr otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. BILLBOARD selves. We talk to companies all the yet to be determined. 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