Koch Records

E1 ENTERTAINMENT AND THE LEGENDARY KISS SEAL DEAL

By E1 Entertainment March 10th 2009

Leading independent studio, E1 Entertainment is thrilled to finalize their production and development deal with legendary rock band KISS. E1 will tap the worldwide enthusiasm for the KISS brand, collaborating with founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to create a comedic half-hour kids television series that galvanizes the band's iconic personas for its young fans.

"We're honored to be involved in carrying on the KISS legacy," comments Frank Saperstein, Senior VP of Kids and Animation for E1. "It's wonderful to collaborate with the creative forces behind one of the greatest rock bands of all time and unquestionably one of the most recognized worldwide."

E1 has snagged the KISS brand as it eclipses its roots, building energy in new family and youth media outlets. KISS's role as the face of Dr. Pepper, their significant presence during Super Bowl XLIV, and their appearance on the 2009 American Idol Finale, which reached over thirty million viewers, has made the make-up and leather-clad giants a household name for kids and families today. The KISS tradition continues to grow generation after generation transcending age, race and creed.

"KISS continues to be the juggernaut of licensing and merchandising, from KISS M&M's to KISS Dr Pepper," remarks KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, "KISS is a band, but also the only music BRAND. Continuing in our 35 year history of going where no band has gone before, we are proud to partner with E1. Like all things KISS, we intend to make this a very special show for our fans." "We couldn't be more excited. Coupling E1's successes and ingenuity with the global force of KISS guarantees an express pass into the homes of our youngest KISS Army members with a show of superior quality," adds KISS co-founder Paul Stanley. The as- yet untitled series will be produced and distributed worldwide by E1. Executive Producers are John Morayniss and Frank Saperstein for E1 Entertainment; Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS. E1 and KISS will handle all licensing and merchandise for the series.

DJ KHALED'S "VICTORY" DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD INDEPENDENT CHART

By E1 Entertainment March 10th 2009

iami hip hop star DJ KHALED debuts at #1 this week on the Billboard Independent Chart with his E1 Music album "VICTORY." The album sold almost 28,000 copies and was #14 on the Billboard Top 200, and was the #2 Rap Album (just behind Lil Wayne). Additionally, he has sold over 300, 000 digital transactions from "VICTORY." "VICTORY," DJ Khaled's fourth studio album, contains the hit singles "Fed Up" and "All I Do Is Win." All I Do Is Win," features T-Pain, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg and Ludacris, and impacted at urban radio this week, with over 31 stations adding the record. The video for "All I Do Is Win" has been added to BET, MTV2 and MTV Jams. To watch the video for "All I Do Is Win" go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXzlRoNtHU DJ Khaled has sold over 800,000 albums via E1 Music.

GRAMMY-WINNING/HALL OF FAMER -- SOLOMON BURKE - A TRUE SOUL PIONEER, RELEASE'S 70TH BIRTHDAY MILESTONE ALBUM "NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE" APRIL 6 ON E1 MUSIC; PROJECT ALSO MARKS LAST WORK OF MEMPHIS SOUL LEGEND, PRODUCER WILLIE MITCHELL

By E1 Entertainment March 5th 2009

GRAMMY-winning, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer - SOLOMON BURKE, a true soul pioneer and a major architect of American music, debuts his much-anticipated 70th birthday release NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE - April 6 on E1 Music. It's a very special, yet bittersweet occasion, marking one of the final projects produced by Willie Mitchell, Burke's musical soul brother and key collaborator, who passed away on January 5, 2010. NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE was 35-years in the making, with "King" Burke finally arriving at Mitchell's storied Royal Studio in Memphis, trademark Throne and all, for five weeks. Mitchell's blueprint and spirit canvas these musical stories, in a partnership that stands proudly with the classics he produced with Al Green, Ann Peebles, and others for the immortal Hi Records imprint. Something spiritual and beyond a mere recording session has manifested.

Comments Burke: "If I could turn back the hands of time, I would freeze frame every second of it. It hurts so much to know I won't get that chance again...You know when God's in it, because everything works. No matter how hard you try for it not to work; it works. It was the last great shot (with Mitchell)..."

NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE is a musical conversation between two brothers, one minute teasing, the next sharing intimate war stories on the battlefield of love. Background vocals and Mitchell's legendary orchestra subtly enhance and embellish twelve classic tracks of pure heart and soul.

The project's title "Nothing's Impossible," was not only Mitchell's intended CD title, but also Burke's personal mantra. At nearly 70 years of age, he remains musically active and relevant, while continuing to resonate with a widening demographic, both nationally and internationally. To date, Burke has sold more than 17 million records. His soul standard "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" has been covered by everyone from the Rolling Stones to Wilson Pickett to the Blues Brothers. His 2002 GRAMMY for "Best Contemporary Blues Album" (Don't Give Up On Me) has introduced his genius to a whole new generation, while one of his best known hits "Cry To Me," was used in the seduction scene of the major motion picture "Dirty Dancing." His biggest fan, however, was the late Pope John Paul II, who invited Burke to perform at the Vatican's Christmas celebration in 2000, that he organized with the present Pope Benedict XVI.

Burke first broke through in 1961 with a cover of the country standard "Just Out Of Reach Of My Two Empty Arms" that was a hit on the R&B and Pop charts. He released 32 singles on Atlantic over the next several years, producing six Top Ten R&B hits, four of which crossed over to the Top 40: "Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms)," "Cry To Me," "Got To Get You Off Of My Mind," "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love," "You're Good For Me," "Tonight's The Night" and "If You Need Me" (written by Wilson Pickett).

Burke has long been championed by his peers, music critics and celebrity fans. Ahmet Ertegun called him "probably the greatest soul singer" while Mick Jagger openly admitted trying to imitate the phrasing of Burke's inimitable voice, and contemporaries such as Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty have performed his songs in concert. Now, with the release of the magnificent NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE, audiences can once again hear why they call Solomon Burke, the "King" of Rock & Soul.

GET ON YOUR FEET WITH THE WIGGLES AND "HOT POPPIN' POPCORN" THIS MARCH ON E1 MUSIC!

By E1 Entertainment March 1st 2009

E1 Music is excited to announce the much anticipated release of Devin The Dude's appropriately titled new album, Suite 420, on April 20th, 2010. Suite 420 features The Odd Squad (Jugg Mugg, Devin & Rob), Smit D (originally from the Facemob), 14K, Tony Mac, Ced-B, Kory-B, School-Boy, Alpha-Bet-D with production by Mirawge & Big Baby, Mike Dean, Rob Quest, Luster Baker, C-Ray, Q-Stone, Reggie Coby, and Devin The Dude himself.

The first single, "What I Be On" will be serviced shortly.

The Houston rapper has laid down five solo albums that have highlighted his impressive storytelling skills and made him one of the most respected and sought-after artists in the industry. As one of the few emcees who have worked with the best in the underground, mainstream, East, West and South, Devin is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper.

He has released five solo albums: The Dude (1998), Just Tryin' ta Live (2002), To tha X-Treme (2004), Waitin' to Inhale (2007), and Landing Gear (2008).

Born in St. Petersburg, Florida and raised in Houston, Texas, Devin literally lived next door to music as a youngster. Living in a house in front of radio station WRXB in St. Petersburg, Devin found that one man's trash was another man's treasure when he'd discover and collect old records the station threw in the trash. Before long, he and his brother started pulling out their mom's record player and throwing parties in their front lawn. When he finally stumbled across Hip Hop, Devin found his first calling as a pop-locker performing for friends, family and even his elders at the neighborhood nursing home.

After his show-stealing appearances on Scarface's 1998 "My Homies" compilation, Devin dropped his solo debut The Dude to rave reviews including a coveted 4-mics rating in The Source, a rarity for Southern Hip Hop artists at the time. Inspired by the Quincy Jones album of the same name, The Dude introduced Devin as a unique voice that made you feel at ease instead of threatened.

Though the album didn't sell through the roof, "The Dude" won the hearts of both rap fans and rappers themselves. Devin found unexpected fans in Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre who not only invited Devin to appear on "F*ck You" from Dre's Chronic 2001 album, but had him join them on their widely popular Up In Smoke Tour as well.

HOUSTON RAPPER DEVIN THE DUDE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM, SUITE 420, ON APRIL 20TH, 2010

By E1 Entertainment March 1st 2009

E1 Music is excited to announce the much anticipated release of Devin The Dude's appropriately titled new album, Suite 420, on April 20th, 2010. Suite 420 features The Odd Squad (Jugg Mugg, Devin & Rob), Smit D (originally from the Facemob), 14K, Tony Mac, Ced-B, Kory-B, School-Boy, Alpha-Bet-D with production by Mirawge & Big Baby, Mike Dean, Rob Quest, Luster Baker, C-Ray, Q-Stone, Reggie Coby, and Devin The Dude himself.

The first single, "What I Be On" will be serviced shortly.

The Houston rapper has laid down five solo albums that have highlighted his impressive storytelling skills and made him one of the most respected and sought-after artists in the industry. As one of the few emcees who have worked with the best in the underground, mainstream, East, West and South, Devin is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper.

He has released five solo albums: The Dude (1998), Just Tryin' ta Live (2002), To tha X-Treme (2004), Waitin' to Inhale (2007), and Landing Gear (2008).

Born in St. Petersburg, Florida and raised in Houston, Texas, Devin literally lived next door to music as a youngster. Living in a house in front of radio station WRXB in St. Petersburg, Devin found that one man's trash was another man's treasure when he'd discover and collect old records the station threw in the trash. Before long, he and his brother started pulling out their mom's record player and throwing parties in their front lawn. When he finally stumbled across Hip Hop, Devin found his first calling as a pop-locker performing for friends, family and even his elders at the neighborhood nursing home.

After his show-stealing appearances on Scarface's 1998 "My Homies" compilation, Devin dropped his solo debut The Dude to rave reviews including a coveted 4-mics rating in The Source, a rarity for Southern Hip Hop artists at the time. Inspired by the Quincy Jones album of the same name, The Dude introduced Devin as a unique voice that made you feel at ease instead of threatened.

Though the album didn't sell through the roof, "The Dude" won the hearts of both rap fans and rappers themselves. Devin found unexpected fans in Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre who not only invited Devin to appear on "F*ck You" from Dre's Chronic 2001 album, but had him join them on their widely popular Up In Smoke Tour as well.