SIC artsPOP ROCK R &B RAP DANCE COUNTRY LATIN CLASSICAL JAll PRO AUDIO 550's Ginuwine Rides Up The Charts `Pony' Single, `Bachelor' Set Bring Sudden Success BY DOUG REECE Primed by the strength of that sin- notes, I said, `Wait here while I get a gle, "The Bachelor" entered at No. 1 on lawyer.' We did the deal over the week- LOS ANGELES -Less than a year the Heatseekers album chart for the end." after 550 Music/Sony recording artist week ending Oct. 26. The album, which The album will be released interna- Ginuwine first set foot in the label's was released Oct. 4, has sold more than tionally early next year. New York offices in May, the 22 -year- 48,000 units, accord- Though Gin - old, Washington, D.C. -based R &B ing to SoundScan. uwine's ascent singer has become a Heatseekers The artist be- has been speedy, Impact artist. came a Heatseeker 7/ HEAT the artist says "Everything happened so quickly," Impact act when the recognition says Ginuwine, whose real name is the album jumped SEEKERS has in fact been a Elgin Lumpkin. "I had spoken to a lot to No. 90 on The !MPAe/ long time corn- of people who told me they were going Billboard 200 for ing. to do a lot of things, but Sony was the the week ending "Things hap- only [company] who did it." Saturday (9). This GINUWINE pen fast," says Ginuwine. "But the way What Sony did was catapult the week, "The Bache- I see it, this is where I should be. artist from obscurity to relative fame lor" is No. 92. There's just a lot of catching up to do within months. Michael Caplan, 550 Music senior VP from how long I have been working for Ginuwine's synthesizer- infused of A&R (U.S.), says he was immediate- this." Heavy Reign. Warner Reprise country artist Paul Brandt, whose debut album, debut single, "Pony," which was ser- ly impressed with Ginuwine. Ginuwine began his career as a 12- "Calm Before The Storm," reached the No. 1 spot on the Aug. 24 Heatseekers viced to radio in July, is No. 4 on the "The second song they played forme year-old performing with a neighbor- chart, holds up a T -shirt awarded in commemoration of the feat. The singer's Hot R &B Airplay chart. was `Pony,' " says Caplan. "After eight hood group, Finesse, at parties and new single, "I Meant To Do That," was serviced to country radio Oct. 28. Brandt bars, which he was often forced to flee is on the road with Travis Tritt and Marty Stewart and will play Savage Hall in upon the arrival of local law enforce- Toledo, Ohio, Nov. 21, and the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind., Nov. 22. ment. Soon he developed a taste for The former pediatric nurse has been chosen by the American Cancer Society to performing in front of his peers, hon- be a spokesman for research into childhood cancer. ing his vocal and dance skills and set- ting the stage for larger things to come. Tipping a hat to one of his idols, Michael Jackson, Ginuwine would often fourth Pavarotti & Friends take center stage, performing both the singer's moves and songs. Other influences, such as 4k-whom Album Targets Pop Audience Ginuwine covers on his version of "When Doves Cry" -are readily LOS ANGELES-London Records is Though past recorded efforts, which apparent on the album. banking on an all -star lineup and have featured such artists as Sting and Unique sound effects, smooth increased commitment from public Bryan Adams, tended to attract a rhythms, and an across -the -board, hip - television to build sales of "Pavarotti & mainstream audi- hop-to- ballad flair characterize the Friends For War Child," the fourth ence, "Pavarotti & young singer's sound. offering in the "Pavarotti & Friends" Friends For War Ginuwine's music is published by benefit-album series. Child" is London's Gold Daddy Music (ASCAP). A percentage of profits from the most ambitious "We wanted to take some chances album, which bows Nov. 19 in the effort yet to court a and set the pace for the next album so States, will go to the construction of a wider pop audience. that people will understand where I'm Pavarotti Music Centre for children in Highlighted on coming from," says Ginuwine. war -torn Bosnia. the album are per- Mike Tierney, PD of top 40/rhythm- The album will be released in other SECADA formances by crossover station KUBE Seattle, is markets internationally throughout opera's leading His Place In The Sun. Motown founder Berry Gordy proudly accepts a star on credited with being the first to play November. London will release the luminary, Luciano Pavarotti, as well as the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his role in developing the music and careers of "Pony," having first heard it during a album in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Eric Clapton, Elton John, Jon Secada, such legends as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson visit to the Sony offices early in the selected other countries; parent label Sheryl Crow, Joan Osborne, and Liza & the Miracles, and Marvin Gaye, among others. Pictured in front, from left, are year. After an advance cassette of the Decca will take responsibility for most Minnelli. The album was recorded live Wonder, Gordy, Ross, and Robinson. In back is the Temptations' Otis Williams. (Continued on page 91) other countries. (Continued on page 95) AftraiiirarANW FØLSHis first-ever live sob album. All The Byrds and McGuinn classics collected together with the tales, anecdotes and yams of a Rock 'n' Roll legend. Plus studio recordings of two new McGuinn songs. AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 19 Hollywood R E C O R D S MR-62090 G 1996 Hollywood Records http:llwww.hollywoodrec.com BILLBOARD NOVEMBER 16, 1996 13 www.americanradiohistory.com.