Contact: Judy McDonough

Compendia Music Group                                                                                        

615-277-1824

jmcdonough@compendiamusic.com

Dead Reckoning Records Signs Multi-Year Licensing Deal With Compendia Music Group
First release from the joint venture to be Kevin Welch's MILLIONAIRE

NASHVILLE, TN - (May 1, 2002) Compendia Music Group has signed a multi-year licensing deal with artist-created label Dead Reckoning Records; the deal gives Compendia Music Group exclusive rights in the United States and Canada to both the existing Dead Reckoning catalog and future Dead Reckoning projects. Michael Olsen, COO of Compendia Music Group, made the announcement.

The first release from the Dead Reckoning/Compendia partnership will be MILLIONAIRE, artist Kevin Welch's first studio album in nearly four years; the album will be released through Compendia Distribution on July 9. On that date, Compendia will also reissue Welch's LIFE DOWN HERE ON EARTH and BENEATH MY WHEELS, Kieran Kane's DEAD REKONING, the first album released on the label in 1995, and The Fairfield Four's WRECKIN' THE HOUSE; other titles from the Dead Reckoning catalog will follow in the coming months. New projects are in the works from other Dead Reckoning artists, including a new album from Kane ("I'll Go On Loving You," "Can't Stop Myself From Loving You") before the end of the year.

Created by a collective of award-winning songwriters, producers and musicians in 1995, the Dead Reckoning label continues to thrive, enjoying the same artistic freedom and critical success that has long been the hallmark of this independent co-op company. Albums in the Dead Reckoning catalog include projects from co-founders Welch and Kane, the Bluebloods (with both Isaac Freeman and Mike Henderson), The Fairfield Four, Big House, David Olney and Dead Reckoning founding members Tammy Rogers and Harry Stinson.

"With our new partners at Compendia, Dead Reckoning will be able to concentrate more fully on the creative side of the business, knowing that the proper promotion and marketing of our records is in good hands," said Kane. "The future does indeed look bright, and we are most excited about this new relationship."

"I have been a big fan of Dead Reckoning for years," said Walt Wilson, general manager/vice president of Compendia Music. "I think that, given the passion that we have at this company, this match is made in heaven. We hope to be a part of great new chapter in the history of the Dead Reckoning label. Compendia is not just your ordinary record company, and with this partnership we will prove that you can marry art and commerce quite nicely."

"The Reckoners' brand personifies one of the last bastions of true artistic integrity and idealism in the industry - always a rare commodity!" added Stephen McCord, marketing/A&R director for Compendia. "We are honored by their association with us, and love what it says about the A&R direction of our company."
 

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