cash box, news POINTS WEST - "Are you ready for this? I have absolutely no background in the rec- Atlantic Release Features ord business at all." While that probably measures out an accurate description of many of us involved in this industry. you've got to admit it's a pretty candid opener. Hal Freeman of Cin-Kay Records - "An Independent By Choice" - however. is Zeppelin, Wyman, Genesis flushed with victory at the moment. so he can be excused. And if you don't care to ex- cuse him. it won't matter much. because he's a very determined man. Two of his first NEW YORK Atlantic/Atco Records positions previously unavailable in the - three releases have broken onto the Cash Box country singles chart this week in the latest album release is led by 4 -channel mode for which they were in- forms of "Love Isn't Love (Till You Give It Away)" In "Presence," the seventh album by Led tended. by Eddie Bailes and Al Bolt's "I'm Love With My Pet Rock." Zeppelin (on Swan Song Records). Merchandising information, publicity Freeman is one of those characters who either acts on an idea immediately or lets it "Stone Alone." the second solo album materials and promotion priorities have ride completely. There's no in-between. Both earnest and easy-going. Hal scrapes from Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones been circulated in advance to all WEA the floor with the voice a radio (via Rolling Stone Records), and "A Corp. sales managers. marketing of jock as he speaks: "I'd been wondering why no one had released a record on a pet rock. Then Thursday three weeks a Trick Of The Tail" by Genesis (their third coordinators and promotion department afternoon. ago gal from Texas called me and said. 'you'd better listen to this song.' I did. Right the album for Atlantic). produced at Lon- staff. In conjunction with the release. over telephone. Well I'd been negotiating with that guy don's Trident Studios by David Hent- merchandising tools have been allocat- (Al Bolt) for awhile anyway, so we flew him to Nashville Friday morning and signed contracts in the airport --witnessed schel and the group. ed to the 19 WEA sales offices as in- by a waitress. We did the session that night at six mixed it. mastered it The release also includes new albums store. point -of -purchase marketing aids. o'clock. and by three from three of the label's fusion artists o'clock Saturday afternoon it was on the radio in Nashville. And that was it and it - just hasn't Billy Cobham's third LP in ten months. stopped. Later we found out GRT had a pet rock song in the can but for some reason they sat it." "Life And Times," introducing the four - Wings Spread on man group that has been working Freeman's involvement with Bailes runs along similar lines. The former heard the latter in together since last fall; Eddie Harris' Tour To Europe a Charleston. West Virginia nightclub and was impressed with his song. "West Virginia." Another stylistically -varied "That Is Why You're LOS ANGELES Wings kicks off the spontaneous trip to Nashville to crank out two cuts. Again. one is on the now. The is Overweight" and electric violinist Jean- third portion of its 1976 World Tour Mar. charts other one catching a second breath as a probable followup. It's the Virginia" Luc Ponty's second LP for the label, 20 at Falkoner Theatre in Copenhagen. "West side. which West Virginia (the state) is about ready to adopt as its "Aurora." Denmark. The ensuing European con- state song. Five artists are making their Atlantic cert swing will encompass performances In quick fashion. Freeman has learned where the independent stands. "There's debuts: "Mike Douglas Sings It All" in four countries. really not that much room for a little company unless he can afford to swing it out toe - brings the daytime variety show host The band. which has already complet- to -toe." he contends. "If you can't. then don't get in: you're fighting giants." Like the boxer. Freeman has back to recording after ten years with a ed tours of the United Kingdom and taken some abuses and silently logged them. fully expecting to set produced at Philadelphia's Sigma Australia. will be performing material have the crown one day. So with the taste of a couple of knockouts fresh in his wake. he issues the I Sound Studios by Richard ("Brazil") from all of its albums as well as other challenge. "When become a good-sized label I'm gonna fight the tight Rome and Sigma's Harry Chipetz; Penny songs associated with Paul McCartney playlist." McLean, lead singer for Silver Conven- over the years. The five person band. Lillian Bron of Bronze Records Ltd. dropped us a line indicating a pending deal with tion, is introduced in America with an LP consisting of Paul and Linda McCartney. a U.S. major for stateside licensing rights to her U.K. single by Gene Pitney, "Train Of that includes an extended version of the Denny Laine. Jimmy McCulloch and Joe Thought." This reporter had the good luck to hear a copy of that product via CB editor -in -chief hit title tune "Lady Bump"; Brooklyn - English will be accompanied by a brass David Budge. Take our words for it: if and when "Train Of Thought" hits born. Mississippi -bred, Canadian section. this country, it's going to take a lot of people by storm. Nanette Workman, former backup singer Wings spent the first two months of Kendun Recorders in Burbank has completed another disk mastering studio. thus for the Rolling Stones. Beatles and Elton this year in the studios recording a new offering three cutting rooms in addition to the live studio facility and a tape copy John, makes her LP debut for Big Tree album to be released later this month. room. Studio 5 features a ceiling trap which is said to provide midrange relief from Records; and also via Big Tree is the de- The Wings tour will be presented by room center outward. The new room also features Studer two- and four -track tape but of singer -songwriter Lenny LeBlanc. International Entertainment in associa- machines with the ability to reduce four -track or crossfade programs between multi- with the Muscle Shoals artist being pro- tion with International Concert Organiza- ple two tracks. For a complete rundown of services. give a call to Kim Palladino (213) duced by Shoals' Pete Carr. Also making tion in Denmark. Lippman and Rau in 843-8096 DREAM WEAVERS Geoff Westen, Patricia Mitsui and Jean-Louis their Atlantic/Atco debut is the British West Germany. Koski-Couchoix Produc- Janssen of Oz Studios have serviced such notables as David Bowie, Dr. John, Robin group Wishbone Ash. with the Tom tions in France and Acket and Mogo in Trower, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, El Grande de Coca-Cola and various major record Dowd -produced "Locked In." Holland. labels and management firms. Now they're out to service themselves. After three The final LP of this release is "Colum- years of preparation. their multi -media production "dedicated to awaken the current bia -Princeton Electronic Music Center ATV Sets Release Of stagnant musical scene" will be ready to showcase in approximately two weeks. on Ilhan Mimaroglu's Finnadar Records HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE - James Darren brought his new single in for our edification. "Sleepin' In A - a landmark in its field. presenting in Stowkowski Album Bed Of Lies" was released on the day of a special discrete CD -4 quadraphonic six. corn - NEW YORK - ATV Records will shortly "Police Woman" screening - a two-part spinoff showcase featuring Jim as a release a new disc by Leopold Stow- motorbike task force officer The show will air March 2 and 9 on NBC: the record is kowski on the Pye Label. "Stowkowski available now. Newton -John Leads Spectacular." The conductor was recent- EAST COASTINGS - Rolling Along: The traditional Rolling Stones media buzz is get- MCA March Releases ly signed to a world wide recording con- ting into full gear as the band enters its newest phase of activity. First off. the tapes of tract by the label. "Black And Blue," the new album. have been delivered to Atlantic, with an eye LOS ANGELES - Olivia Newton -John A multi -media marketing campaign is towards mid -April release. coinciding with the group's European tour. In the packag- leads list the of five new MCA LP re- scheduled for the record. which is ing end. the album is going to be pressed on black and blue "homogenized" vinyl leases for March with her MCA sixth packaged in a gatefold sleeve and is (shades of Dave Mason). Also. expect one of the most intricate merchandising cam- in- album titled "Come On Over," which ATV/Pye's first entry into the compatible paigns ever, including a number of TV spots. Come July, the Stones may also be cludes a variety of pop and country quad field using the QS 4 -channel stereo stateside for a few dates. selections such as Dolly Parton's system. Bill Wyman's second solo album. "Stone Alone," will be out next week. Encased in "Jolene." the Beatles "The Long And an excellent package by Pierre Laroche, the album marks a much more assured state- Winding Road" and the title tune. which ment by Wyman than his first effort. "Monkey Grip." First off. he is backed on the is also Olivia's newest single.