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Adam Werner: The Latest

Adam is now on other sites! - January 17, 2008

Check out Adam on MySpace, YouTube, FaceBook and ReverbNation. For links to these other sites, go to the "Lineage" page to access these cool new sites.

Remembering Michael Hedges - December 2, 2007

10 years ago today (12/02/1997) we lost one of the most amazing, innovative and influential guitarist/composers of the 20th Century........

......MICHAEL HEDGES.

Michael was such an important inspiration to me as a guitarist that I must acknowledge his ability with every tune and show I do. He is so very much missed and we are blessed to have his music left for us to marvel for years and years to come. I am a little uneasy at the fact that it has been 10 years and his (so-called) "Manager"/Executer of his estate, Hilleary Burgess, has not done a single thing to continue his legacy or even acknowledge Michael in a statement or an update on the official Michael Hedges website (www.nomadland.com). It would be nice if all of us, who actually love and admire Michael and all he's done, would contact Hilleary and let him know that he is killing Michael's legacy and spirit and we don't appreciate it.

Thanx for visiting and listening and please remember Michael on this day.

R.I.P. my friend!

GRAMMY - Nomination!!! - October 21, 2007

Hey Everyone!

I am very proud to announce that New Land Music has three of their releases up for a Grammy this year!
Adam Werner - "Signatures"
Tina Malia - "The Silent Awakening"
Evan Bartholomew - "Borderlands"

For those of you who are voting members, please vote for these three albums for Best New Age Album or if you know anyone who is a voting member, get them to vote for them.

Very exciting and encouraging!

Thanx!
Adam Werner

New Land Music's first releases - February 5, 2007

New Land Music releases their first two albums: Woodsongs & Signatures

~ "Woodsongs," ~ An Acoustic Guitar Collection

This album contains 17 of the greatest instrumental acoustic guitarists, from around the world, such as, Grammy Award Winners Will Ackerman, William Coulter, John Keawe and David Cullen, Grammy Nominees Alex de Grassi, as well as Preston Reed and introducing the next generation of artists, like Adam Werner, Chris Yeaton, Michael Hewett, Nick Cosimano and Sergio Altamura, who all bring brand new, never before released music.

Having considered all strings and past guitar compilations, it is exciting to hear this new CD that resets the standard for innovation in a time-honored
tradition. While the guitar-o-meter may well need to be recalibrated for "Woodsongs," it is true there are many such collections over the years that connect on technical and style levels, but few if any that have ever been so engaging, personally affecting and emotionally versatile. Above all, the sound quality is beyond brilliant, which can be attributed to the mastering of Bob Ludwig, whose credits are a veritable who's who across all musical styles. 17 tracks by 17 different artists make for such a full program that it will take many listens to begin to digest the artistic expression and mastery that is on full display here. Of course, several tracks will stand out for each listener. I was first taken by "Quintana Roo," an unreleased track from Preston Reed who employs all aspects of his instrument, and "Thank You" by Adam Werner, who conceived the idea for this far-reaching project. Later, I began really hearing the colorful, pastel beauty of "Hand Signals," a brand new track from Alex DeGrassi, and "After the Sunrise," a track by Robert Walling with female voices
woven through the mix. Even Will Ackerman, who contributes the exquisite closing track, "Last Day at the Beach," feels this surpasses the great Windham Hill Guitar samplers from the seminal period of that label (which he founded) and what previously epitomized this stylistic expression.
- Lloyd Barde, Backroads Music

"This collection of guitar features both established guitarists and new talent. It may be the most successful and listenable compilation of guitar work I've ever heard; generous in length, broad in style and easily on a par with the best work we did at Windham Hill."
- Will Ackerman

~"Signatures," ~ Adam Werner

Adam Werner’s debut label release, "Signatures," on New Land Music, is a 15-track album of instrumental acoustic guitar music that is a culmination of emotionally intense compositions with technically exceptional playing and profound musical energy. This album merges the traditions of “finger-style” guitar techniques with provocative percussive elements and interesting textures, which adds an extra flavor to this style of music. A touch of electronic bass, masterfully created by Kentaro Otsuka, is featured on this album. There is a wide range of instrumentation and technique, from standard 6-string acoustic guitar to 12-string harp guitar, coupled with eBows, bass and percussion. This album takes you on a music journey to the far reaches of the solo acoustic guitar cosmos, with such tunes as, “Home in Hanalei,” “Vienna,” & “An Evening at Black Canyon” to more aggressive and creative tracks as, “The Final Journey: The Scenic Route,” “Apprentice of a Dead Man,” & “Into the Light.” This will prove to be a great addition to this genre of music, to be placed beside some of the top artists’ albums of all time. There are two tracks that are guitar duets with renowned slack key/fingerstyle guitarist Chris Yeaton, “Over a New Land,” & “The Beautiful Granddaughter,” which will surely become some of their “signature” duets.


”I came to know Adam Werner’s work via his performance tributes to Michael Hedges; performances which I, as Michael’s producer, found to be deeply respectful of Michael’s work and legacy. Those performances required considerable technical talent, but I’ve now had a chance to connect with the powerful emotional depth of his own compositions as well. Adam Werner is a marvelous technician who requires more of himself than simple gymnastics. His music is both impressive technically and emotionally vocative. He’s one of the few post-Hedges guitarists who have something to say. “
-Will Ackerman

For more information about New Land Music artists, releases, touring or to join our mailing list, please visit us at www.newlandmusic.com, call toll free 800.767.4748 or write to us at New Land Music P.O. Box 9029 Calabasas, CA. 91372-9029

New Land Music acquires Backroads Music - February 1, 2007

New Land Music Announces Acquisition of Backroads Music
First Step in Company’s Formation of New Record Label

Calabasas, CA ~ November 27, 2006~ New Land Music has announced today they have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Corte Madera, CA based Backroads Music, a leading Independent music distributor. In preparation for the holiday season the expected re-launch of Backroads Music will be mid November 2006. Backroads Music will continue operations, as a wholly owned subsidiary of New Land Music. Backroads Music founder, Lloyd Barde, will continue to handle distribution as Sales Manager.

Backroads Music was founded in 1981 by Lloyd Barde and has become the world’s best and most comprehensive source for Ambient, World, Chill Out, New Age, Electronic, Native American, Contemporary Instrumental and select Vocal and Chant music. In 1991 Backroads became a “Mail-Order only” operation with over 50,000 customers. A free catalog will now be available via snail mail or as a download on their new website that will also have the added convenience of a "one-click-away" opportunity to purchase for mail order delivery or digital downloads with more than 4000 titles available.

In making the announcement, Adam Werner, Founder & President New Land Music, said,

“Backroads Music is a world recognized company that distributes music direct to the consumer, with a catalog spanning many musical genres and award-winning artists. Backroads Music is a perfect complement to our existing business, where we believe independent music and artist development are of paramount importance. We’re pleased and excited to announce this new acquisition.”

The first addition to Backroads Music under the new distribution structure will be Silent Awakening, the sophomore album by San Francisco artist Tina Malia (www.amidarecords.com). Tina Malia has been compared to such legendary singer-songwriters as Loreena McKennitt, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Carole King and Sarah McLachlan. Malia's debut, Shores of Avalon, was voted #1 Vocal Release of 2001 by Backroads Music for its ability to "cast a spell on the listener."

New Land Music is also preparing to launch their new Independent record label after the first of the year that will bring a wide-ranging and complementary array of talent to this alliance and broaden its range of genres adding adult contemporary and pop music. The creativity and consumer driven concept behind New Land Music will help harness emerging opportunities and a connected community to cultivate and empower new and established artists.

The company’s partners bring decades of experience in the music industry that includes recording and touring musicians. Their insight and innovation will provide backbone to bring multi-genre of talent to the consumer. New Land Music includes veterans, Adam Werner, Founder & President (renowned guitarist), Kelvyn Evans, CEO (22 years marketing and business development & accomplished musician), Will Ackerman, Executive Vice President (founder of Windham Hill, Grammy Award winning musician, and Gold/Platinum record producer) and Giulio Proietto, Senior Vice President & CFO (over 16 years in the music industry including Sr. VP Finance and Business Affairs for Private Music, Windham Hill Group and VP Finance for EMI Music Distribution).

New Land Music, record label, will debut with Woodsongs, a mesmerizing collection of contemporary acoustic guitar instrumentals featuring Grammy Award Winning and Grammy Award Nominee artists including Will Ackerman, Alex de Grassi, Preston Reed and David Cullen, as well as the next generation of acoustic instrumental guitar artists. Woodsongs is available on the Backroads Music website and catalog.

"New Land Music's strategy is to become a role model among independent record labels and to pioneer a music industry business model that is fair and equitable for artists and consumers. We want to provide good music from good citizens and we hope to play an integral part in helping transform the industry. Music we love will be our genre." - Kelvyn Evans, Chief Executive Officer New Land Music.

Backroads Music will remain in Corte Madera, CA while New Land Music will be based in Calabasas, CA with offices in Hawaii and Vermont. While the musical goals of Backroads Music and New Land Music will overlap synergistically in some areas, they will remain separate artistic entities.

Contact for New Land Music
PH/Fax 808-883-2450
kelvyn@newlandmusic.com
www.newlandmusic.com

Contact for Backroads Music
Lloyd Barde, Sales Manager
PH 415-924-4848 – Fax 415-924-0648
mail@backroadsmusic.com

Media Contact: Rhonda Boudreaux
Publicity
510-236-2668
rdboudreaux1@aol.com