Stratta Forms Warwicke Label Cos.; Croma Shifts To Memphis Share To Colby Under Mempro Dist. NEW YORK Ettore Stratta has his - Music, MEMPHIS - Dionne Warwicke's sold interests in Croma Sonday Records is moving to Mem- Arcola Music and other affiliate pub- phis. The performer, who has had a lishing companies, and has started his long friendship with Marty Lacker own music and production firms, Ars and Don Burt, owners of Mempro, Nova Music, Jubilus Music and Ettore Inc., has chosen their company to be Productions. headquarters for her record label. Co-founder of Croma with Robert "Looking on Memphis as becoming Colby, Stratta has been responsible her second home, Miss Warwicke feels for publishing such hit songs as Love that the great recording center Mem- Is Blue, New World In The Morning, phis has become makes it highly suit- Mammy Blue, Durham Town and over able to be headquarters of her compa- 100 other recorded copyrights. Before ny," Lacker said. "Mempro will han- joining Croma, he was at Columbia dle all administrative distribution, Records as A&R international direc- sales and promotion for Sonday Rec- tor and produced records with Barbra ords." Streisand, Andy Williams, Steve & Eydie, The New Christy Minstrels, Lacker said that having recorded in Chad & Jeremy, among others. Memphis herself-with plans to re- cord other releases here in the future Stratta is the recipient of two Gold SLADE ALIVE!-Shown during their recent visit to Polydor's New York offices is rock group, Slade. In town for an appearance at New York's Academy -she is "well aware of the impor- Records for the discovery and produc- tance of Memphis in the world-wide tion of the phenomenally successful of Music, the group stopped up to talk with top Polydor executives. Shown, left to right, are Slade drummer Don Powell, Jerry Schoenbaum, president of recording industry." Miss Warwicke "Switched -on -Bach" LP and for recorded a million seller, "Soulful," in producing Barbra Streisand. In 1969 Polydor Incorporated, Slade bass player Jimmy Lea, J. Dieter Bliersbach, senior vice president of Polydor International, Slade lead guitarist Dave Hill Memphis several years ago with he brought to this country the songs Chips Moman of American Records. and of Roger Whittaker. and Slade guitarist and vocalist Noddy Holder. the talent named in honor of Miss classical Slade, currently completing their first American tour, is represented on the Sonday, As a recording artist and single, "Take Me Back 'Orne". They currently hold down the number one posi - Warwicke's son, has under contract conductor, Stratta has recorded for charts with their first Polydor album "Slade Alive", and their first Polydor Leslie Uggams, the Constellations, Ampex Records, Paramount Records tion on England's singles charts with "Mama, Weer All Crazee Now". The Calvin Arnold and Liz Land. It has and is currently under exclusive con- American tour, which was supposed to end in Boston last week, has been ex- been based in New York since it was tract with RCA Records as an artist tended to include appearances in Los Angeles (at the Whiskey -Au -Go -Go), formed about a year and a half ago. (classical conductor). His new classi- Fresno and Detroit. Lacker said, "Most of the recording cal album, "Adagio," has just been will be done here in Memphis, which released in Canada and will soon be in turn will provide more jobs for out in the U.S. on RCA. Memphis musicians and related tal- Stratta's new office is located at: 37 4 Appointed By Columbia ent..." West 57th Street, Room 1106, New Initial work by Mempro for the York, N.Y. 10019. NEW YORK-Columbia Records has pacities, Ron and Arnie will be re- announced the appointment of Julian sponsible for the overall direction of Sonday label began last week, Lacker Stratta will soon be travelling to Rice to the newly created position of Columbia and Epic/Columbia Custom said, when Calvin Arnold arrived in London, Paris and Milan to meet with director of merchandising planning. Labels college rep program, including town for a remixing session at writers and foreign publishers. The announcement was made by Al the formation of merchandising pro- Ardent Studios for his new release on Teller, director of merchandising and grams specifically tailored for the col- the label, "I Got Another One," to be product management for Columbia lege market, maintenance of relations released this week. Execs Records. with campus radio stations through- Miss Warwicke, has been an active Golden In his new role, Rice will be re- out the country, and coordination of participant in the annual Memphis sponsible for the development and the activities of our on -campus repre- Music Awards presentation. The first Road To Intro implementation of new merchandising sentatives. year, she performed at the awards On and retail advertising concepts. In ceremony and was awarded the Best addition, he will continue to super- Female Vocalist statue. This year, the 8 New Kiddie Sets vise the merchandising services and Grossman second year of the event, Miss War- the was hostess for the ceremony. NEW YORK-Golden Records execs retail advertising department. wicke Also, Don DeVito, director of prod- "And she will be back next year, will blanket the country informing uct management, has announced the Names Two too," Lacker said. wholesalers and dealers about the NEW YORK-Jack Grossman, presi- company's new of $1.98 appointment of Frank Shargo to the Sonday Records' new address is: release eight position of associate product man- dent of Jack Grossman Enterprises, 3003 Air- kiddie albums. The sets, due for Inc., has announced the appointment Suite 1116, Executive Plaza, immediate release, will be heralded by ager. In his new position, Shargo will ways Blvd., Memphis, Tenn. 38131. be responsible for coordinating album of Spiros J. Culuris as vice president Tele: (901) 332-1784. Al Massler, Shy Raikin and Jerry releases and creating merchandising of warehousing and distribution, and Massler. and advertising concepts for various Elliot Setton as director of opera- The product includes a version of assigned artists. tions. Setton will report to Irving April/Blackwood "Man of La Mancha," as sung and In addition, Al Teller, director of Freedman, vice president of opera- narrated by Richard Kiley, who origi- merchandising for Columbia, has an- tions. nated the lead role in the musical and nounced the appointments of Ron Both of the executives were asso- Names Keller is presently performing the part McCarrell and Arnie Handwerger to ciated with Grossman for approxi- HOLLYWOOD-Jack Keller has been again at Lincoln Center in New York; the positions of manager of college mately the last ten years. named general manager of April/ "Looks Good to See You," the songs promotion and supervisor of college Blackwood, the music publishing of Woody Guthrie performed by promotion, respectively. In these ca - wing of CBS Records, it was an- Louise & Bob De Cormier; "The Mar- Hensler To nounced by Charles Koppelman, vice- ching Band from Animal Land," mu- president of April/Blackwood, as a sic by Leroy Holmes and lyrics by Al N.Y. Polygram move in a further expansion plan. Stillman; "Tall Tom Jefferson," nar- Liza With 'Z' Keller was formerly with Screen rated by Richard Kiley. NEW YORK-Guenter Hensler, Poly- Gems -Columbia Music for 12 years Also, "What Can the Difference Be, dor International executive in charge prior to this appointment. He has TV Track Hits of head office regional management involved in for the Songs About Opposites"; "Fruit & been songwriting for North America, has been ap- past 15 years. His top ten hits in- Vegetable Alphabet Songs & Other pointed assistant to Robert E. Brock- clude; "Easy Come, Easy Go", "Run Favorite Nursery Rhymes"; "Poems 100,000 Mark way, president of Polygram Corp., To Him", "Venus In Bluejeans" and for My Daughter & Other Little Peo- NEW YORK -Liza Minnelli's recent New York. "Everybody's Somebody's Fool". Kell- ple," Red Buttons; and "Christmas network TV special has already He headed DGG's International ers other credits include writing the Songs That Tickle Your Funny spurred more than 100,000 in sales for Classical Exploitation department in themesongs to "Bewitched" and "Here Bone," music & lyrics by Ruth Rob- the shows's Columbia soundtrack al- Hamburg before becoming regional Come The Brides" as well as produc- bum, Liza & Piller. With a "Z," in the two manager for the United States and of the Monkees' first erts Gene weeks since its release, the label re- Canada in April 1971. Hensler is tion and writing ports. being joined here by his wife Maren three albums. Keller replaces Erol Initial sales, the company said, and their daughter Astrid. They will Sober. Jennings' Mgr have been particularly heavy in New make their home in Rego Park, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Mia- York. Is Neil Reshen mi. Dinoble Heads NEW YORK-RCA recording artist The label credits much of the initial Waylon Jennings and Neil C. Reshen sales spurt to the heavy advertising Smith Named Col Motown Promo have announced that Reshen will rep- bought by Columbia to tie in with the LOS ANGELES-Al DiNoble has show and album's release. In addition resent Jennings as his personal man- to considerable radio airtime, tie-ins R&B Promo Mgr been appointed national promotion di- ager. were made with a number of impor- NEW YORK-Columbia Records has rector for Motown Records and its Jennings, who has recorded for tant consumer publications, including announced the appointment of LeRoy affiliate labels, it was announced by RCA since 1965 has had a string of TV Guide. Smith to the position of regional marketing vice-president Abner. chart records, the latest of which was Minnelli's one -woman show, pro- r&b promotion manager for special As director of promotion, DiNoble "Sweet Dream Woman." Jennings duced by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, markets. Announcement was made by will co-ordinate all promotional ac- was presented last May at New York's Logan H. Westbrooks, director of spe- new album, "Ladies Love Outlaws," cial markets for Columbia Records. tivity between regional men and local Lyceum Theater. A wide range of The new director of pro- is being released this week. songs is performed, including a Smith will be responsible for the distributors. Reshen currently represents several medley from her film vehicle, Ca- promotion and marketing of Colum- motion reports directly to vice-presi- major artists, including Miles Davis baret, and renditions of blues, bal- bia, Epic and Custom Label r&b dent Abner, and will be headquartered and Goose Creek Symphony. lads, spirituals and rock numbers. singles and albums on the west coast. at the labels west coast home offices. 10 Cash Box - September 30, 1972

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