Smith And Sturgeon Join “Artist-Owned” Ranks

Country artists Anthony Smith and Jason Sturgeon are joining artists like Big Kenny and Gretchen Wilson in establishing their own record labels and teams to release, promote and market their new music. Debut country artist Sturgeon will release his leadoff single, “Simple Life,” to radio through his own label, Toolpusher Records. He will follow that up with his first full-length CD, That’s Me, later in the year, also on Toolpusher. Smith, who formerly recorded for Mercury Nashville and Stroudavarious, will release his new CD, Sunshine, and its leadoff single, “Love Is Love Is Love,” on his own recently established Krankit Records imprint, a joint venture with Artist Garage, who distributes through Fontana, a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Music Group

Both artists have assembled teams of industry veterans to help promote their new music. Sturgeon’s team includes Dennis Kurtz (Showgun Entertainment/Project Management), Larry Pareigis (Nine North Records) Jeri Petty (Rodeo Legacy Marketing), Nancy Tunick (GrassRoots Promotion), Debbie Gibson Palmer and Jack Pride (Spinville Records), Craig Bann (Aristo Media) Bobbe Morhiser (Marco Club Connection) Brian Cecil (Briserv/Internet Marketing & Web Design) and Vanessa Parker-Davis (Splash! PR).

“Sturgeon is a breath of fresh air. His head-on approach to life and his career is refreshing,” says  Pareigis. “We are excited about taking Jason’s music to radio and beyond.”

Smith will also work with Pareigis and his artist services company, Nine North, in promoting his new releases. Also working with Smith are Mike Regan, who will serve as Krankit’s Director of Operations, Jules Wortman of Wortman Works Media and Marketing, and Nicole Cochran of Nic of Time Communications, who will handle public relations and media for the label.

“I believe ‘Love is Love is Love’ has the unmistakable Anthony Smith sound and at the same time is the most commercial single he’s sent to country radio,” Pareigis says. “Nine North is honored to be partnered in the launch of Anthony’s label Krankit Records.”