Andre Rieu - Savoy Label Group Year End Wrap-Up
André Rieu NEWS ~ Jan 03, 2008 06:00 ET
Savoy Label Group 2007 Year-End Wrap-Up;
Record Setting Array of Chart Topping Releases
(*This is Denon, Andre's American Label)
Label Group's Artists Contribute to Unprecedented Chart and Sales Success
SANTA MONICA, CA--(Marketwire - January 3, 2008) - The Savoy Label Group, one of the United States' leading adult music label groups, is enjoying its most successful year to date with an unprecedented number of chart topping recordings and critical recognition from its stable of recording labels which includes SLG Records, Denon Classics, 429 Records, Savoy Jazz Worldwide and flagship label Savoy Jazz. Boasting a wide ranging roster of artists both new and iconic in their respective genres, the Savoy Label Group has garnered #1 records on the New Age, Blues, Seasonal, Classical and Americana charts; #1 overall independent Classical label (and #3 overall Top Classical Label); #2 overall Top New Age Label; #4 on Billboard's Dance Chart (Corinne Bailey Rae w/ New Mastersounds); and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album (for Joan Armatrading's "INTO THE BLUES"). Below is a comprehensive label wrap for 2007.
On the strength of several releases from adult contemporary radio's #1 charting artist, Jim Brickman, SLG Records topped the Billboard New Age and Seasonal Charts several times, established itself as the #3 Top New Age Imprint and #2 New Age label and garnered Top 5 radio airplay throughout the year on Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Christian and even Country radio outlets in 2007. Released at the end of 2006, Brickman's debut SLG Records release "ESCAPE" continued his streak of #1 New Age albums showcasing original pop instrumentals and collaborative efforts with stars such as Sara Evans and Gerald Levert. SLG ended the year with the release of Brickman's "HOMECOMING," an all new collection of holiday recordings. Currently #4 on the Adult Contemporary radio chart, the first single "Coming Home For Christmas" is a collaboration with former Lonestar lead vocalist Richie McDonald in his first effort as a solo artist. "HOMECOMING" topped the Billboard Seasonal Chart the first week of release and has spent over 6 weeks on Billboard's Top 200 chart. On deck for 2008 is an all new project from Brickman titled "VALENTINE," slated for January release.
429 Records, the pop/rock arm of the Savoy Label Group, also had its most successful year to date with the release of several projects from a wide range of artists including well-established, highly respected musicians such as The Roches, The Young Dubliners and Steve Forbert, to the critically lauded conceptual projects such as "ENDLESS HIGHWAY: THE MUSIC OF THE BAND" -- a stellar collection of new interpretations of classic Band songs by the likes of My Morning Jacket, Bruce Hornsby, Jack Johnson, Death Cab For Cutie, Widespread Panic and many others. ENDLESS HIGHWAY reached #1 on Radio & Records' Americana chart and #2 on FMQB's Public Breakout chart and debuted on Billboard's Top 200 chart. Joan Armatrading released her 16th career album on 429 Records, "INTO THE BLUES," and not only earned her first #1 album in the U.S. (a #1 debut on Billboard's and iTunes Blues Chart), but garnered high profile recognition from the music community with a much deserved Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. 2008 is gearing up to be just as exciting at 429 Records with the release of new signing Jackie Greene's label debut 'Giving up the Ghost' in April, Steve Reynolds' much anticipated follow-up to his 2005 429 Records' debut, "EXILE," an all-star collaborative project from Young Dubliners, the return of Toni Childs with her 429 Records debut and the label's newest signing -- Dr. John -- whose 429 debut arrives in early May!
Denon Classics had another banner year with several new releases including stalwart crowd pleaser and "Waltz King" Andre Rieu as well as celebrated Norwegian vocal star Sissel. Rieu once again topped the Billboard Classical chart with his first special produced in the United States, "RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL: LIVE IN NEW YORK." PBS had record ratings with "RADIO CITY," which became the cornerstone of both the fall and December pledge drives. Frequent airings in every major market solidified "RADIO CITY" as Rieu's most successful special to date (the project has already reached certified Gold sales in Canada) resulting in Denon Classics being named the #1 Classical Indie Label and #3 Top Classical Label overall in Billboard's year-end sales analysis. Both Sissel and Andre Rieu are gearing up for major tours in the first half of 2008. Rieu just previewed his World Stadium Tour in Toronto this month which could be considered the largest touring stage production ever undertaken when it travels the world next year. Rieu, his orchestra and many special guests including the Wiener Straatsopera ballet troupe will perform in a full-size replica of a Viennese emperor's palace complete with ice rink, multiple horse-drawn carriages and an authentic ballroom. A new special for PBS is also in the works, "ANDRE RIEU IN WONDERLAND," which will focus on the magic and whimsy of classic fairy tales in a no-holds-barred production. In an effort to solidify her standing in the U.S. and expand her already considerable fan base, Sissel will embark on her first major tour of the States in January! Her PBS pledge drive special "SISSEL, NORTHERN LIGHTS" featuring guest star Jose Carreras was an unqualified hit for stations nationwide breaking audience response records in major cities such as Chicago, Boston and Hartford. Northern Lights cracked Billboard's Classical Crossover top 10 just before Christmas and her next PBS special is scheduled for airing in December of 2008.
Flagship label Savoy Jazz expanded upon its classic jazz foundation in 2007 with the surprise club hit "Your Love Is Mine" featuring Corinne Bailey Rae. Taken from the Savoy Jazz Worldwide label's signature series Café d'Afrique, the song took the dance chart by storm over the summer reaching #4 on Billboard's Dance Chart. Savoy Jazz will release the much-anticipated release of Ravi Coltrane's all new recording for the label in the spring of 2008. As yet untitled, it's the follow-up to his Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed Savoy Jazz debut, "IN FLUX."
The Savoy Label Group (SLG) features not only the historic Savoy Jazz label but also the 429 Records, Denon, Denon Classics, SLG Records and Savoy Jazz Worldwide labels. SLG is the North American unit of Columbia Music Entertainment (formerly Nippon Columbia), the oldest music company in Japan. Newly reorganized and now headed by Chairman Strauss Zelnick, Columbia Music Entertainment has re-emerged as a significant creative force with a stable of newly signed platinum-selling artists. SLG is one of the most successful marketers of adult music in the U.S. and focuses on classical, jazz, new age, world and adult alternative genres.
SLG 2007 YEAR END STATISTICS Album Charts Jim Brickman "Homecoming" #1 Top New Age #1 Top Seasonal #3 Top Internet #5 Top Christian Billboard 200 Chart Debut Andre Rieu "Radio City Music Hall Live in New York" #1 Classical Album Certified Gold CRIA Top 10 Debut -- Billboard Music Video chart Joan Armatrading "Into the Blues" #1 Billboard Blues Chart #1 iTunes Blues Chart Grammy Nominee -- Best Contemporary Blues Album Sissel and friends -- Northern Lights featuring Jose Carreras #10 Billboard Classical Crossover Endless Highway -- tribute to The Band Billboard 200 debut Billboard Year End Label Awards Top Classical Artist #3 Andre Rieu Top Classical Imprint #3 Denon Top Classical Label #3 Savoy Label Group Top Classical Label Imprint #3 Denon Top Classical Indie Label #1 Denon Top Classical Budget Album #13 "The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe" Top Classical Albums #4 Andre Rieu "The Homecoming" #7 Andre Rieu "Christmas Around The World" Top New Age Label #2 Savoy Label Group Top New Age Imprint #3 SLG Records Top New Age Artist #2 Jim Brickman Top New Age Album #3 Jim Brickman "Escape" #5 Jim Brickman "Homecoming" Top Blues Artist #8 Joan Armatrading Top Blues Album #6 Joan Armatrading "Into The Blues" Year End Radio Awards Escape -- Jim Brickman Jim Brickman -- 'Hideaway' R&R A/C Top 10 Index Jim Brickman -- 'Never Alone' A/C Top 40 Year end Endless Highway Music of The Band -- Various Artists #1 R&R Americana Chart #2 FMQB Public Breakout Chart #12 R&R Top Americana Album Sales Certifications Gold Video Certifications -- CRIA Andre Rieu -- Love Songs Andre Rieu -- Flying Dutchman Andre Rieu -- Live in Dublin Andre Rieu -- Christmas with Andre Rieu Andre Rieu -- New Years in Vienna Andre Rieu -- Live in Dublin Andre Rieu -- Homecoming Andre Rieu -- Live at Radio City Music Hall Platinum Video Certifications -- CRIA Andre Rieu -- Live in Dublin Andre Rieu -- Homecoming
This is exciting if I'm reading it right. Andre IS becoming more known in America, on New Year's day mpt PBS (Maryland Public Television)had an Andre Rieu marathon starting at 10:30am EST. I of course had been talking up Andre since before the Canada trip and afterwards and still am. I have videos out on loan to awaken possible new fans that I know and one would like to come to the Baltimore concert. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, one friend and her husband whom I loaned a video to could not pick up Andre on her system so I told her to tune into PBS on that day. I'd love to see an overwhelming success for Andre in America that could possibly surpass Australia, ha ha just kidding. But certainly an overwhelming success that far surpasses America's present fan base for Andre which is already overwhelming. It's so nice to support Andre not only for what he does but as a person and giver of life all rolled up in being an Artist. I however enjoyed watching the new Vienna DVD all alone with pleasure. Christmas I shared a video(Wunderland) after dinner with a friend family, they loved it and because the daughter works for a performing arts organization, I asked her to take the video to work and let her executive view it. He's the one that may come to the Baltimore concert and hopefully with his family. Just an fyi.......
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Hi Martha:
Yes Andre is our classical darling. J I have seen television ads, print ads and radio ads for Andre. Combining that with his PBS exposure is a good thing. J Denon is stepping up and being creative too.
Can you imagine if Andre were to appear at shopping malls here? We'd have huge crowds too.
(I must say, the Australians were so warm & kind to Andre, it was wonderful to watch.)
A attorney in one of the front offices, has classical music playing in the reception area and I hear quite a bit of Andre Rieu throughout the day. (more smiles)
BUT … darn, it’s going to be difficult to grab those front/center tickets !
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Hi Martha and Sally, yes, yes, it is quite nice to see that André getting more 'air-time' - beside the PBS station
I have seen that our ARTS station just had some "NEW" short evening outdoor concert. I believe they were playing the "Adagio" (hope thats correct), only they are such brief segments. Hugs to all.
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I enjoy so much seeing these chart scores with André being up there at the top!
I don't know if André is coming back to the Northwest this year, I haven't heard and usually we have by now, it matters, but it doesn't matter because I can watch him perform across the world and that's exciting in itself. I love seeing the reception he is getting and so deserves...except that I will miss him and the JSO in our area, soooo much. But, if he doesn't come back, then I will do my best to continue talking "André". You are right Martha, it's exciting that André is getting more and more exposure in the USA and I believe that it will just get better. Sally, I agree that if André would do the malls here, there would be huge crowds!
It was so exciting watching the Australians and their excitement and listening to them all speak so highly of André. Made me happy just listening to them!
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Hopefully this works! - Hermina
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www.professionalanimations.com
See if this works
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Cannot get this to link.
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http://www.professionalanimations.com/
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Hi Hermina: Email me what you were trying to put up.
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HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU ALL.WISHING YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE DEDICATED TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING A BLESSED 2008.REGARDS FROM NICOLEJOY,JOY IS INDEED MY REAL NAME.GOD BLESS YOU ALL .NICOLEJOY.
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