Sony Music Nashville Becomes First Country Label to Score Three #1 Albums by Debut Artists

Sony Music Nashville Becomes First Country Label to Score Three #1 Albums by Debut Artists

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- With today's #1 debut on the Country chart of Miranda Lambert's first album, "Kerosene," Sony Music Nashville has claimed the title as the only country record label in history to have three debut albums by new artists to enter the Country album chart in the coveted #1 spot.

Since taking over the reins of Sony Music Nashville in 2003, President John Grady and his team have had an impressive string of new artists debut at #1 on the Country chart, including Buddy Jewell in 2003, Gretchen Wilson in 2004 and, most recently, Miranda Lambert.

"In a field where breaking new artists is a very important part of what we do, along with further building the careers of our superstars, this week's #1 album by Miranda Lambert marks yet another high point for one of the most creative teams in Nashville today," commented Don Ienner, President and CEO, Sony Music Label Group, U.S. "During his two years with the company, John Grady has taken chances on some very talented artists that didn't necessarily fit the mold. He has combined a dedication to artistry with a strong understanding of the marketplace, and in the process he's brought real success to Gretchen Wilson, Buddy Jewell and now Miranda Lambert. They are doing a great job, and with the Van Zant debut coming soon, they're set to do it again."

In the Soundscan era, only six new country artists' debut albums have entered at #1 on the country album chart. Sony's recent achievement marks the first time a country label has achieved three consecutive years of breaking new artists in the top spot on their initial entry onto the country album charts.

"I am so proud of Miranda and all of the artists we work with at Sony," states John Grady, President, Sony Music Nashville. "When we started working here, Mark Wright and I said, the one business condition we could change around here, is the music we have and the artists we sign. It seems that our consumer base agrees with our A & R decisions."

When Buddy Jewell entered the chart with his self-titled debut album at #1 in June 2003, it had been seven years since a new country artist had entered the chart in the top spot. His album is now Gold. Last year's phenomenal break out artist, Gretchen Wilson has sold over 4 million copies of her debut disc that came out of the gate in May 2004 in the #1 position. Miranda Lambert's critically acclaimed Kerosene follows in the successful footsteps of Jewell and Wilson as she claims the top spot on country charts this week.

Source: Sony Music Nashville

CONTACT: Anita Mandell of Sony Music Nashville, +1-615-742-4358

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