Music Industry veteran, Barry Blair, announces the launch of Tonecrash Records, a ministry focused label with the goal of developing and building young independent artists.

With 16 years of history in the Christian music industry, Blair has won Dove Awards, received Grammy nominations and been a part of several number 1 radio singles as an artist, producer, and songwriter.   As a founding member of the band Audio Adrenaline, Blair performed on and co-wrote many of the band’s early radio singles, including the #1 song of the 1990’s, “Big House”, and the Grammy nominated album “Bloom”.  Blair also played an integral part in the early success of the band Bleach by introducing the band to Forefront Records in 1996, and producing the band’s number 1 radio single “Super Good Feeling” and “Modern Rock Song of the Year” Dove winner “Epidermis Girl.” 

In recent years, Blair has continued to work as a record producer and session guitarist.  He has produced records for many up-and-coming independent bands including eight rock singles from independent bands that have landed on Radio and Records Magazine’s Christian Rock airplay charts.

“Tonecrash Records seemed to be the next step in my career after working with so many great independent bands in the last few years,” explains Blair.  “I really felt that I have a good sense of what was going on in the independent world of Christian music and could help a few bands to further their ministry.  Through Tonecrash, artists will gain access to retail distribution channels and receive radio promotion and other marketing to increase awareness of their music within and outside the Christian community.” 

Marketing for the label will be provided by Randy Maricle and the retail marketing division of Maricle Management. Group.  Maricle comes to Tonecrash from Wellspring Christian Book Center in Louisville, KY, where he served as general manager and music buyer for 12 years.  While there he also provided artist management for Word Records duo Across The Sky and Fervent  Records group Palisades.  In August 2006, the family sold the Wellspring stores to Berean and Maricle and his wife moved to Spring Hill, TN to build the Maricle Management Group. 

Tonecrash Records’ first signing is Two Empty Chairs, a rock foursome from Smackover, Arkansas.   The band’s national debut, Brighter Day, will be available April 3rd and “There You Go,” the first radio single from album is going for adds now at CHR and AC radio.  Brighter Day will be distributed nationally through Infinity Distribution.

For more information about Tonecrash Records, please visit
www.tonecrashrecords.com.  Information about Two Empty Chairs can be found on the following websites:  www.twoemptychairs.com
and www.myspace.com/twoemptychairs.