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Sunset signs production and distribution deal with Memphis based booker and live music promoter, Papa G. Records.

Memphis based record label, promoter, booker and Production Company, Maverick Group Marketing Inc. (MGM) / Papa G. Records and Sunset Records / Sunset Distribution Company have announced today an exclusive worldwide distribution deal through Sunset Records / Sunset Distribution Company. The multi year contract and joint venture between the Memphis based multi-media record company Papa G. Records and with the New York & New Jersey based Sunset Records & Sunset Distribution Company is a deal that will bring current artists like Crushing Juliet and Chosen View to Sunset from the Papa G. label/company.

Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset says that “Papa G. himself (John Garrison) is one of the top A&R people in the world, and my plan is to allow him and his staff to go off to sign any artists he works personally in the Memphis areas,” and “because he books and promotes one of the best halls (The Minglewood) in one of the best music areas in the world (on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee), I look forward to having him deliver new music to Sunset for many years.” (Don) Lichterman also says that “he (Papa G.) Is on the pulse of picking up on new trends in music” and that Papa G. is also “on the pulse of hearing new bands that play live at the Memphis venues he books live shows.” Lichterman goes on to say that he is “thrilled to work with Papa G. as a great extension to my company,” let alone “watching him do his A&R for Sunset because he has brought me to hear some of the best arrays of music collectively, that I have heard in one sitting in many years.”

The new production and distribution deal will continue to develop, license, and release recorded music and any entertainment related product the Memphis based company (Papa G. Records) delivers to Sunset in any genre and/or in any format. Aside from the initial releases of the alternative rock bands, CHOSEN VIEW (The Common Thread is due in stores: September 21, 2010) and CRUSHING JULIET (Broken Cadillac is due in stores: September 21, 2010) that are being released through the Sunset Record label, Papa G. Records plans to deliver bands in a variety of genres including Blues, Americana, Art Rock, R&B/Soul, Rock N’ Roll, and World music. The first projects through the new Papa G. / Sunset deal is slated for Fall release in 2010 with two new albums, The Common Thread (In Stores 9/21/2010) which is a brand new album from the alternative rock band by CHOSEN VIEW (Sunset Records) and the Broken Cadillac (In Stores 9/14/2010) alternative album by pop rock act, CRUSHING JULIET (Sunset Connect). "Both of these artists are an enormous talent with key songs for radio so I want them out by the end of September this year,” (Don) Lichterman says about the first two Papa G. titles being released in the Sunset Distribution system, “we (Sunset) are extremely psyched to be able to bring his (Papa G.) music, his bands and his sense of direction with music he works to the next obvious level in this industry, I also want to get his music and bands out to more of a mainstream and global audience." The alternative sub modern rock song, “Under The Swell” by the Chosen View’s The Common Thread CD has already begun to impact radio in the US and radio overseas in Italy, and the UK and “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” on the Broken Cadillac CD have already been placed through two license (to be announced this month) deals both in the United States and in Italy.

The Rhion-Antirrion Bridge is the latest Michalis Terzis masterpiece full length CD being released at Sunset Classics on August 3rd.

Michalis Terzis is ready to release his latest full length CD masterpiece, The Rhion-Antirrion Bridge, on August 3rd with Sunset Classics.

Michalis Terzis is someone that composes classical music in the most accessible, sublime and sophisticated way, and his latest full length CD, The Rhion-Antirrion Bridge is another (Michalis) Terzis album filled with what can be best described as classical pop music. Many pieces on this brand new CD are bound to be standards and traditional in the classical music world. “Considering it’s a classical music album,” says Don Lichterman, the head of the Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J) division at Sunset, “there are accessible mainstream pop elements to his arrangements.” Many songs on this album do have that mainstream accessibility of a Mike Oldfield and Vangelis have done with their classical music. Lichterman goes on to say that “is exactly the sense of direction we headed with the Michalis (Terzis) CD.”

Michalis Terzis is an artiste, composer and performer of classical and international world music. (Michalis) Terzis is very much able to entice classical music lovers with its vast range of melodies. His songs compellingly segue from the "The Bridge" to the atmospheric foreshadowing of "The Sea" and throughout to the “magic carpet ride” in "Antirrion". Every song on the Rhion-Antirrion Bridge album is filled with lush, soaring and romantic pieces, which are some of the most accessible and pop mainstream classical styled music to hit stores in a long time. The eleven (11) song CD is set to hit stores worldwide on August 3rd at SC&J.

For classical aficionados or if you are someone who thinks of Michalis Terzis in terms of ambient and new age music, listeners, are guaranteed to be satisfied with the entire The Rhion-Antirrion Bridge CD. The Ionian Sea is another melodic and dramatic song that makes the full length CD feels almost like a concept album that tells a story. "Time And Light, “Hesperia” show that melodic and accessible characteristic of Michalis Terzis, and suggests the cross over potential to mainstream consumers as a classical musical artist. While the label emphasizes his melodies, virtuosity and stylistic wide range on the new album, "Rion" nonetheless draws that same excellent line with its melody and Nocturno Sonata” also demonstrates a considerable amount of classical techniques with these perfectly composed orchestrations. By "Symmetria” and “Horizon-Eptanniss," along with the song, "Diapolis" round off the beautifully produced album.

The Rhion Antirrion Bridge classical music CD will no doubt prove to be a personal favorite with not only classical music fans, (Michalis) Terzis has also truly covered a lot of accessible territory with these songs.  Though, there are no repetitive themes with the album, the overall vision remains to be very coherent for the average listener of popular music. And, this Sunset Classics recorded CD, is no doubt in that upper stratum in the extensive Michalis Terzis' discography of recorded music.

Michalis Terzis's first album on Sunset Classics will feature a brand new recording by the acclaimed composer from his hometown country of Greece. The upcoming CD set to hit stores worldwide on August 3rd and will be available in stores where CD’s are sold at retail, and the CD will also be made available to classical music fans as downloads, ringtones and streams in every format wherever they are sold.

Michalis Terzis bio
Mikis Theodorakis first introduced the classical music world to the works of Michalis Terzis whom is has now evolved to be one of the most important and prolific composers in the world. Michalis Terzis composes all songs from all albums in his extensive discography. His music blends accessibility with wonderful blends of traditional bouzoukis and bag lamas with great violin work to accompany the traditional instruments on every CD. Michalis Terzis was born in Axioupolis-Greece and studied piano and music theory at the Macedonikon Odeion of as well as in Athens with the Teachers A. Ainian and K.Chronopoylos. He started his musical career at 1973 by playing piano at the “Boites” (small music theatres) in Plaka: Apanemia, Hesperides, etc. below the Acropolis of Athens in the historical part of the City. He is an international award winning composer with an extensive discography before the latest CD entitled, the Τhe Rion-Antirron Bridge.

Michalis Terzis Signs Exclusive Contract with Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J).

The Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J) Entertainment Company is thrilled to announce a wide-ranging long-term recording and multimedia agreement with the internationally renowned classical music artist Michalis Terzis.

Michalis Terzis's first album on Sunset Classics will feature a brand new recording by the acclaimed composer from his hometown country of Greece. The upcoming CD set to hit stores worldwide on August 3rd and will be available in stores where CD’s are sold at retail, and the CD will also be made available to classical music fans as downloads, ringtones and streams in every format wherever they are sold.

This deal expands Sunset's existing classical music company with this new relationship by adding such an acclaimed composer as Michalis Terzis. The classical music artist can now serve as a new worldwide brand emissary to a global audience with his label deal and in addition to releasing a brand new album this summer, Sunset hopes to work with Michalis Terzis on many ancillary projects showcasing his accessible and innovative sounds, and the label plans on exploring opportunities for maybe a boxed set release considering the artists (Michalis Terzis) extensive repertoire and discography.

"The sky is the limit (so to speak) with this artist," says Don Lichterman, the head of the Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J) company at Sunset’s record label. "You can not only hear how accessible his music is right away when you hear every song, he is one of the top international artists in the world today.” Lichterman also says that it “seems like he shares my vision because he will no doubt have his music show up soon in film, TV, commercials, he is also poised to do film scores for movies and those types of productions,” and “I am so excited about this final recording, let alone to see what Michalis (Terzis) music will being to media, technology and most of all, I cannot wait to see how the world takes to his incredible compositions."

Don Lichterman, Chairman, CEO, President and Founder, Sunset, says that "Michalis (Terzis) is one of the most wide ranging and most gifted classical music artists in the world today,” and he “welcomes his vast musical talent and his vast international appeal not only at Sunset Classics, but also at the all of the Sunset Entertainment companies.” “We are looking forward to working with Michalis (Terzis) for decades and honestly, my plan is to make sure his music is made available to people for centuries and even perpetually,“ says (Don) Lichterman and he continues to say that the label (SC&J) will “create an innovative experience for Michalis (Terzis) with some unique ways to allow fans to experience his (Michalis Terzis) musical genius and I have the vision to utilize his technical savvy with a lot of multimedia surrounding his life performances"

Michalis Terzis bio
Mikis Theodorakis first introduced the classical music world to the works of Michalis Terzis whom is has now evolved to be one of the most important and prolific composers in the world. Michalis Terzis composes all songs from all albums in his extensive discography. His music blends accessibility with wonderful blends of traditional bouzoukis and bag lamas with great violin work to accompany the traditional instruments on every CD. Michalis Terzis was born in Axioupolis-Greece and studied piano and music theory at the Macedonikon Odeion of as well as in Athens with the Teachers A. Ainian and K.Chronopoylos. He started his musical career at 1973 by playing piano at the “Boites” (small music theatres) in Plaka: Apanemia, Hesperides, etc. below the Acropolis of Athens in the historical part of the City. He is an international award winning composer with an extensive discography before the latest CD entitled, the Τhe Rion-Antirron Bridge

For more information on Michalis Terzis visit www.MichalisTerzis.Sunset-Classics.com.

About Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J) / Sunset Recordings, Inc.
Sunset is a privately owned Don Lichterman Company. Sunset is one of the leading independent record labels and entertainment companies in the world. The Sunset Group of Entertainment Companies, and its global operation, acquire, develop, and distribute major music recording artists, home visual entertainment products, online-digital entertainment technologies and music and filmed entertainment worldwide. Sunset's four major divisions are the Sunset Distributed Label Group, the Sunset Strategic Marketing and Licensing Division, the Radio Sunset Network and the Sunset Filmed Entertainment Division.

SOURCE Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J) & Sunset Recordings, Inc.

Classical Pianist Rick Starmer mixes up a blend of music on his new CD, Because I Can’t Paint which is due out on Sunset Classics this June 1.

Rick Starmer’s classical gem hits stores on June 1 with his new record label, Sunset Classics at Sunset Classics & Jazz (SCJ).

A CD once a title with a little color never hurts, but (Rick) Starmer has put down a full length modern day classical set of music on one CD, Because U Can’t Paint. And, the Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J) division will release the CD to stores around the world on June 1^st. Don Lichterman, the head of SC&J says, “these recordings by Rick (Starmer), are some of the more important piano compositions we have released to date at Sunset Classics, and this CD has already proven to add to the incredible groundwork we have spent building the repertoire in the classical division at Sunset.” Aficionados of classical music can hear influences to Grieg, Saint-Saëns, Massenet, Debussy, Pugno and Diémer and Lichterman goes on to say, “my goal at Sunset Classics is to make every title we release an essential part of the collection for everyone that listens to classical music.”

This modern day classical performance that ends up on the “Because I Can’t Paint” CD, offers more than just a surfeit amount of accessibility, excitement, intrigue and absolute entertainment. Songs by (Rick) Starmer have been described on SKY.FM to be a “technical piece of the greatest clarity and brilliance,” and you can hear Starmer on current rotation at top classical and new age radio stations in Syracuse (WAER - 88.3 FM), Binghamton (WSKG - 89.3 FM & 91.5 FM), Ithaca (90.9 FM), Oneonta/Cooperstown (91.7FM), Elmira (91.1 FM), Corning (90.7 FM), Clear Channel / I Heart Radio, Virgin Hit Lab Radio, Jango, Last FM, Pandora and many more stations around the world. The diverse pianist will also play live in June at the Community Restaurant Theatre in Cortland, New York.

The energy, vigor and enthusiasm of his (Rick Starmer) playing are mesmerizing and dazzling for a classical styled of music artist. Thus, songs like “Ave C. & 9^th” and “Where Are You?” are the two songs that start off the long journey of music on the Because I Can’t Paint CD, while “Kayla” and “Kayla Walk” are vivid recordings that help make up a coloristic palette of music on this CD. The polished end result on songs like his “Dad/Son” are a natural and accessible appealing story made up in a musical composition. And, the sense of obvious energies on songs like, “East River Sunrise” and “Winter Soul” make up the full length tangible CD for classical music fans. “He’s an absolute brilliant pianist,” says (Don) Lichterman, and that “every song on this CD is alluring to classical music fans.” (Rick) Starmer plays with a certain emotional response and is essentially considered to be a pure modern day classical music performer.

(Rick) Starmer’s 2010 recordings is an array of musical composition produced, written and performed by the classical and new age artist. His subtle and tactful clarity is how his playing can be strongly characterized and the Lichterman makes no bones about using Starmer’s music from this new CD for film and commercial productions.” The label has also begun to set the CD at all retail outlets around the world, and the CD will be set up digitally at the top outlets that sell downloads, streams and ringtones beginning June 1 this year. This well immaculate sounding works of music will be made available everywhere on June 1.

Track listing: RICK STARMER (Because I Can’t Paint)
Where Are You?
Ave. C & 9^th
Kayla Six
Kathi
Angel Whisperer
Kayla Walk
My Head
Dad/Son
Empty Auditorium
Winter Soul
Taste You, Paint This
East River Sunrise
Alone
She Doesn't Know I'm Watching

Rick Starmer Signs Exclusive Contract with Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J)

Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J) is pleased to announce a wide-ranging long-term recording and composition agreement with the critically acclaimed pianist Rick Starmer.

Rick Starmer’s first CD to be released at Sunset Classics is the musical compositions from the “Because I Can’t Paint” CD and classical record company at Sunset is set to release that to stores on May 4. The works will also be made available as downloads, streams, ringtones and playback tunes. And, this deal expands Sunset's existing classical repertoire by adding the compositions by artist Rick Starmer who will also act as a staff producer as well as a performer to the Sunset label. In addition to the album “Because I Can’t Paint,” Sunset will use (Rick) Starmer on potential license deals, film scores and other projects relating to music composition.

Don Lichterman, Head of Sunset says, "It was easy to hear in the music by Rick (Starmer) that he is one of the most adoring, vigorous and critically acclaimed pianists in the world, and we have so much to work.” “I am not only excited to be a part of his career, I expect him to do a lot of licensing considering his style of music,” Lichterman continues to say today.  The label is looking forward to work together with Rick (Starmer) on film projects. Lichterman says that “I think it took maybe two days before he turned over more music that would easily be placed any album of this nature." The label is also committed to him on many aspects of his career including working his live shows which he plays every week, and including working his jazz pieces through Sunset Jazz Recordings. “Doing this type of deal with Rick is important for Sunset because it marks our unrelenting effort with regard to growing this part of the company in the Classical music industry."

SC&J is setting up the “Because I Can’t Paint” CD starting this month and the street date is set for May 4.

Indie Record Label to open Merchandise Company this week offering officially licensed product and band merchandise with both new and established artists.

Online Retail Company, Sunset Vending is being launched this week by founder Don Lichterman.

New online music merchandise retailer Sunset Vending (www.Sunset-Vending.com) is being launched by Sunset Records founder Don Lichterman. The new online merch company is designed to accompany products made for his new music artists signed to the Sunset labels, with legendary branded music artists like The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix and AC/DC. Sunset Vending has also signed specific license deals to resell and offer popular branded items by iconic organizations and estates like Sesame Street, Star Trek, Marylyn Monroe, Star Wars, John Wayne, Betty Boop, DC Comics (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman), Looney Tunes (Taz, Bugs Bunny, Tweeter and Sylvester), Snoopy and the Peanuts gang along with many more official licensed deals that are currently in place. And along with many new license deals that are coming to the company.

Sunset Vending will set up its artists from its indie labels with specific popular merchandise items that bands will be able to sell online at Sunset Vending, at their own websites, at the labels web sites, at Amazon’s store along with being able to sell these products at their live shows. Sunset distributes (Sunset Distribution Company) an array of established and brand new acts like Sekshun 8, Gina Thompson, Federal Moguls (QBall from Bloodhound Gang), Anthony Geraci, TenPenny Joke, Down From Zero, Capt. Crunk, Original Black Pantah, I Kong along with Mark Simmons, Deon Cole, Kevin Hart and other live recordings from shows at the Laff House Comedy Club. “I am in hope that the Sunset Vending Company will give us the ability to showcase some cool band merchandise," says Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Vending, “and that has already begun to pay off because even just yesterday; I picked up a unique product line hand made by a fan of the band Sekshun 8.”

(Don) Lichterman then says, that he “implemented the merch company’s business plan in the same exact way that I started my other companies at Sunset, which is to accompany my new signings with established, branded and legendary music artists.” Sunset Vending plans to allow bands to get their merchandise into dedicated fans hands without having to buy them at shows and Sunset Vending will also be selling official licensed products by popular music artists.

Sunset Live (www.Sunset-Live.com) is honored to join OurStage, MTV Networks and their partners to bring our community live streaming coverage of “Hope for Haiti”.

The live concert downloads will also be available at iTunes after the show ends tonight. The Hope For Haiti Concert features live performances by Wyclef Jean, George Clooney and CNN’s Anderson Cooper will host the two-hour global telethon airing Friday, January 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. And, the celebrities also scheduled to appear in support of relief efforts include Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Coldplay, Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna...Go To Sunset-Live.com to see the show!

Sunset moves its record label web sites to the Secure Green Web Hosting Platform and Web Servers Powered By Wind and Solar Energy

Sunset Records moved over 60 web sites last week to its new web servers powered by wind technology and solar energy

Sunset, the “greenest” record company in the world, takes its environmental campaigns to another level by using Wind Powered Technologies' and Solar Powered energies’ to provide its’ Web application security, Storage for its web servers along with its PCI compliance for its record label and artist hosted web sites. Sunset will continue to provide the current and the future artists signed to the label, their own private portals providing security, SQL relational databases and a Cross Platform Site Script. In addition, Sunset now has their servers at their specific co-location with dedicated hosting for its label web sites and artists web sites.

Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset say that "After using a few solutions over the last three years, and considering my vision for my online infrastructure at Sunset, dealing with this transition now was an easy decision to make this month.” (Don) Lichterman goes onto say that “moving our content to our new servers is not only the first step in becoming environmentally sound at work, it is also long overdue for us to be using an environmentally conscious, carbon neutral online business model,” and “it starts with how we house our content on its servers.” Lichterman also feels that in doing this now at Sunset, “we will always be able to cater to our growing company and this is just more incentive and added value that our staff and artists get when you work at the world's greenest record label".

Sunset is also known for starting one of the most comprehensive and critically acclaimed digital only record labels this last year with Sunset Connect (www.SunsetConnect.com). "(Sunset) Connect became very well known this year and the press has been over the top great for us gaining the recognition after starting a label like Sunset Connect this year,” says Lichterman, and “now, there is zero hypocrisy which is why I felt so good after making that change this month.” Sunset will also provide their staffers, labels and artists even more secure and even more compliant to the digital millennium Acts and “without a huge investment in resources and/or man hours,” and Lichterman ends the conversation saying that “I am so happy to have this added value implemented to our online solution."

Sunset is one of the forefront runners and one of the most innovative record labels in the world. The company’s web site infrastructure is powered with 100% renewable wind and solar energy (90% wind, 10% solar) rendering its servers and business operations carbon neutral. Don Lichterman and his Sunset record Labels take practicing social responsibility and its overall Green Movement on its daily business operations, to another level this month.

OCTOBER 2009

Sunset Records Strikes Deal to Integrate its Mobile Content with Vio Mobile

Agreement Will Enable Vio Mobile Users and Vio Distribution Partners to Seamlessly Release Sunset Records Contextually Relevant Ringtones at Hundreds of Retailers and Mobile Carriers All Over The World!

Sunset Records announced today it has signed an agreement with Vio Mobile, one of the industry’s leaders in mobile distribution, to provide mobile ringtones across several mobile retail channels, with hundreds of mobile carriers in territories all over the world.

Under this newly signed mobile distribution agreement, Sunset Records ringtones will be integrated into the Vio Mobile distribution network, enabling millions of users globally to effortlessly discover Sunset’s mobile content. Vio Mobile is also integrating its distributed ringtone catalog with the popular electronics company, Acer, for branded purchases so buyers of the new Acer MP3 Player, can discover its music on the new Acer media player. Sunset Records will also ensure that its links to the Vio Mobile website are set up integrated on every artist page. The Sunset artist pages are set up that when fans click through the links off their artist pages, they will be offered ringtones, playback tunes, wallpaper graphics and all relevant mobile content.

“The Sunset Records partnership with Vio Mobile emphasizes our continued expansion to get our music placed in every worldwide distribution channel and then also highlights how we can integrate our content with ease,” says Don Lichterman, the Head of Sunset Records. “I was impressed right away with what Ivan (Woodson) has built at his company,” says Lichterman about this deal and that he is “confident that Vio Mobile partners and its users will be able to find our mobile content in every network and all over the world.”

With this deal in place today, Sunset will have its catalog of recorded music available through the Vio Mobile network of over TWO HUNDRED (200) mobile carriers around the world.

The Founder of Sunset Records Opens One of the World’s Most Extensive Animal Friendly and Vegan Related Web Sites

Veg Hed opens its online store providing products never used with animals and strategic partners with activists that are against all forms of animal cruelty.

A New Jersey based organization with shared office space at Sunset in New York City, Veg Hed is now the best resource for “vegan” product and related care products from top brands, and is also set up as a very precise way to find out about pivotal animal activist companies. The company also extended its range of releasing music and video by releasing organic and eco friendly related DVD titles.

Known for its quality of music and innovative record label structure, Sunset is finding ways to use its resources for various forms of activism and awareness. Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset is also the founder of the Sustainable Action Network and the Green Junkee online retail store. Lichterman says, “Veg Hed is an extension within our office and we are doing a series of special markets CDs with a concept of using only music artists that eat veggie every day and artists that are against animal cruelty. This is my way to fulfill my larger dream of being able to do more for humans and animals in this world. Having the ability to promote and distribute products with top retail outlets like Amazon and Target gives us an instant reach at 12% of the online retail marketplace.”

Veg Hed not only will release its own product line, the site brings together other vegan product lines and links to vegan fashion stores. Veg Hed also has up to date information with a few of the top animal activist companies in the world. Without many great resources for shopping for vegan items online, and to gain information about vegetarian living and organizations that do incredible things for wildlife, Veg Hed brings this together on one web site.

Lichterman says, “Unless you are looking for a specific item that you use all the time, using products not tested on animals and using products, let alone products that have no animal product could be difficult to find online and in stores. I am trying to find ways to make this so easy for people to buy these types of products all together in one order. I am also trying to use top brands that manufacturer product without any animals. And, I want to make sure people know they have easy choices to buy every type of product that does not use animals. This is more about awareness and reaching out to a more mainstream consumer while explaining this to them in a very easy way.”

Consumers are able to buy Sunset DVDs and Sunset CDs that are related to wildlife as well as strategically partnered companies with products that manufacturer vegan styles clothing, cosmetics, and clothing along with products from the PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) Mall, the ASCAP store, the Sea Sheperd online store and items from the North Shore Animal League. The store is also affiliated with the Dr. Foster and Smith Company to resell their product line.

JANUARY 2009

January 16, 2009 - Don Ward Joins Sunset Jazz Recordings – the label is Dreaming about this next CD release!

New York based independent jazz record label, Sunset Jazz recordings, announces the signing of their first artist at the label, Philadelphia-based jazz artist, Don Ward. The record deal sets up the release of his brand new debut full length CD, Dreaming, with a street date of February 17, 2009.

January 14, 2009 - Sunset Continues To Develop Music Through Its Digital Record Label

Sunset has just launched a digital record label this month, finding, signing and developing music artists with the overall objective of breaking them through its distribution system, licensing network, radio promotion, press and media departments along with its live download company and radio network.

Sunset Connect is the now the backbone for the Sunset Records digital division and moreover, this is one of their best ways for the label to find new music. The label will function as a newly created division at the Sunset record label based in New York City. The label started this month by releasing full length albums by D’Cyple, Obka, Ric Laue, Kan’Nal, Starr Cullars, Cryout, a Cracker / David Lowery type of songwriter from England named Clayton Road; and many compilations that feature popular music artists (The Crystal Method, Fatboy Slim, Sneaker Pimps, Gavin Friday, Eve Gallagher, Boy George, Leftfield, Death In Vegas and more), and will now begin to sign more music every month during this first year.

Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Records, will run the digital only label during the key launch stages in the first few months, finding new talent and implementing the A&R and lead time administration. The Sunset Connect digital label is set up to develop bands working everything to major radio, press, retail and for licensing opportunities in film, TV and commercials in an automated way. Lichterman’s Sunset Live download company will be run through the Sunset Connect distribution system although it will be a standalone company run by its own staff. The live concert download company has just released a very special live concert by the world famous comedian, Roz (Last Comic Standing, Laff House Live).

Lichterman said about the digital label that it is a convergence of many factors with regard to the landscape of distribution and working music today-- including promotional mailings and mailings for music-licensing opportunities, and today, every aspect of a record label can be distributed to radio, retail, press and licensing companies all digitally -- made it the perfect climate to start Sunset Connect. The label will provide the ability to purchase physical CDs for placement at Amazon, Target and its own CD / DVD Store, through its On-Demand system powered by Amazon’s Create Space.

"We have every aspect of what a record label does for its music artists at Sunset Connect, and working music this way is cost effective for artists that it will no doubt be the standard model for record labels," Lichterman said in a press release with Billboard Media Wire. "We are poising Sunset for that time by starting the label today and at the same time, this label pays its artist 70/30 splits on net sales, which will keep everyone recouped making money every pay period.” Sunset Connect will look to hire a label head and other staff members for A&R acquisitions with the label feeding off the Sunset Records divisions for its promotion, licensing, marketing and administration.

While Sunset Records has made great progress in the last year with its new music – the Federal Moguls (QBall from Bloodhound Gang and Troy Walsh (MTV.com) new project and platinum recording artist Gina Thompson’s new project as run through the main label (Sunset Records and Sunset Urban accordingly) -- the Sunset Connect record label will be committed to developing new talent and up-and-coming music artists. Each of the artists on the label has already released indie albums and Sunset Connect distributes the entire catalogs of these artists. "We have great lee way now to develop new music without getting them thousands of dollars in the unrecouped column, and we can take on so many more projects today," Lichterman said.

Sunset Connects business plan has taken the same shape as the rest of the Sunset labels. There is a perfect mix of brand new talent in with established artist signings that are legends in the industry. Of the new bands,  Kan’Nal’s “Gypsy” was the number one song played on the Radio Italia Network last year for a few weeks and D’Cyple’s two songs “My Life” and “Don’t Wanna Be” have broken the top 50 on the Indy Record Pool charts last year and is still being featured in clubs charting every month. Clayton Road also now has two songs in Pure Play’s Music Network and every artist is featured at Pandora. Sunset Connect has digital deals with every top online retailer including iTunes, Real/Rhapsody, eMusic, Amazon MP3, Napster, Shockhound and over 40 outlets. The digital only label does make physical product via Amazon’s On-Demand system making CDs available at Amazon, target and the Sunset Store, however, it will not carry any stock inventory.

Top industry people at major labels and at Indy labels admit there is no set formula for a digital only record label. Lichterman says that he has “found the perfect way to make everyone money and work this music at Sunset Connect as close to what you would do for an artist that has a traditional record deal.” He also was quick to say that the idea of doing this now is almost “overdue, but for us at Sunset, this the perfect time for this type of label considering our label wide rosters at this time. Our traditional label is working like a machine and our artists and staff producer (Rod Millwood) were named on the Grammy Nomination Ballot 68 times leading up to December 5th. We now have the formula to make sure this label works like a cost effective machine and ironically speaking, I could see this label being the one that is the main label as the industry phases out physical DVDs and CDs."

Sunset Live Will Presents The Laff House Comedy Tour in 2009 along with a brand new live Comedy CD by one of the worlds top comedians, Kevin Hart!

Kevin Hart (Soul Plane, Scary Movie, Epic Movie, 40 Year Old Virgin) will release a brand new Full Length comedy album in Spring 2009. The Laff House and Sunset Live are planning a nation wide tour with comedians from BET's Comic Review, Def Jam Comedy Show ion HBO and with Kevin on the bill. Hart is playing three nights at the world famous Punchline Comedy Club in San Francisco from 2/5 to 27/. Kevin's last comedy CD, I'm A Grown Little Man is a top selling CD at Sunset!

all Sunset artists chart on the aol powered our stage last month!

Thirteen (13) Sunset artists broke the Top 100 at AOL's Our Stage for December 2008. Eight (8) Sunset artists broke the Top 50 and four (4) Sunset artists broke the Top 25 for the last month in 2008!

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Sunset Corporate Communications & News Archives - Newsroom 2008 - Click Here.