JODY WATLEY LAUNCHES ‘THE JODY WATLEY MUSIC STORE’ 8/26

FR:   ALEXANDRA GREENBERG/MITCH SCHNEIDER
        MSO

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and label-owner JODY WATLEY has announced the launch of ‘The Jody Watley Music Store’ on August 26 at www.jodywatleymusicstore.com.  This marks a new first stop online destination for Watley’s niche following in the adult urban, pop and dance genres.  

Initially, ‘The Jody Watley Music Store’ will carry her latest critically acclaimed indie releases, the #1 Virgin Megastore exclusive The Makeover and Midnight Lounge, which peaked at #13 on the Billboard Electronic Albums chart, in addition to the long-sought-after Japanese only release The Saturday Night Experience Vol. 1.  The store will be the only digital source to carry her A Beautiful Life Remixes single package, which is the follow up to her ninth #1 single “I Want Your Love.”  (Look for the video for “A Beautiful Life” to premier September 3 on television on LOGO’s new show “NewNowNext: Poplab” and online at www.youtube.com/jodywatley)  Watley will also preview the direction of her tenth full-length album Chameleon that’s due out early 2009 with the R&B jam “Candlelight.”

“As an independent artist, it's important to distinguish between mass marketed music and those that serve a more niche following,” states Watley.  “Artists have the opportunity in this changing paradigm to not only control their music but the music buying experience for their fans. iTunes has established an across the board formula that caters to a more mainstream aesthetic. Niche artists like myself work under a different system. Free to make higher quality music with smaller budgets we are able find creative ways of marketing and promotion directly to our fans."

"Being a part of a new music revolution is exciting! You hear about rock artists like Radiohead and The Eagles trying new ways to distribute their music. I'm here to represent for the female entrepreneurs in R&B, dance and electronic music!" Watley enthusiastically proclaims.

Recently featured in the historic 'The Black Issue' of Italian Vogue, Jody Watley to many is a true living legend whose incredible accomplishments in the music industry speaks for itself.   Watley began her career in 1977 as an original member of Shalamar, known for classics such as “A Night To Remember” and “The Second Time Around.”  After departing the group in 1984, the songstress embarked on an outstanding solo career that yielded international hits such as the unforgettable “Looking For A New Love,” “Real Love” and the groundbreaking hip hop classic “Friends,” with Eric B. and Rakim among others.  Add her participation in Sir Bob Geldof’s history-making BAND AID project alongside Bono, Sting, George Michael and Duran Duran, a Grammy Award Award for ‘Best New Artist’ in 1988, trend-setting videos and an iconic style documented in Vogue, Rolling Stone and countless other international publications, Watley secured her place in popular music history. She remains one of MTV's Music Awards 'Most Nominated Female Artists' and has been included in People magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People,' Harper's Bazaar's '10 Most Beautiful,' among other notable benchmarks.  Jody Watley also appeared on Broadway in the hit musical GREASE! as Rizzo.  

In 2008, Billboard honored Watley with its prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ after scoring her ninth #1 solo single with “I Want Your Love.”  The single also went on to top Britain’s Dance Play Chart as well marking her first U.K. hit in over two decades.  With nine solo albums, six Top Ten Pop Hits, 15 Top 40 R&B Hits, 13 Dance Hits, nine # 1 Singles (Pop, R&B or Dance – 80s, 90s 00s) and millions of records sold, Jody Watley continues to chart a peerless path, performing, writing and recording in the new paradigm of the music industry.

For more information on JODY WATLEY, contact:
MSO    818 380 0400
Alexandra Greenberg        x230, agreenberg@msopr.com
Mitch Schneider                x235, mschneider@msopr.com