Released on = July 7, 2006, 12:41 pm

Press Release Author = Sally Smart / Smart Choice Music

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = Free In-Store 18 Track CD featuring Lyle Lovett, Bruce
Robison, Ray Wylie Hubbard and others released to support and promote independent
Americana Music

Press Release Body = The latest initiative from UK based Online and Mail Order
Americana Music store Smart Choice Music is to produce an 18-Track sampler
compilation album, showcasing the cream of today's independent artists. Included are
established names Lyle Lovett, Bruce Robison and Peter Rowan alongside new rising
stars making an impact on both sides of the Atlantic, including Grayson Capps, Willy
Clay Band, Wade Bowen and Kevin Montgomery.

This certainly isn\'t a new concept, but it is rare to find a record store inviting
up-and-coming artists to appear on a sampler album without asking them or their
labels to contribute financially, and it is even more unusual to find the store
literally giving away copies of the CD free!

Echoing the ambitions of Rough Trade in the 70\'s, Smart Choice Music are relying on
the recommendations of their customers and their own in-depth knowledge of the music
business for the choice of music that features on their shelves, rather than being
dictated to by the industry movers and shakers.

Despite Rough Trade being known for its support of Punk and New Wave rather than the
Americana, Country and Roots CDs and DVDs adorning the virtual shelves of the Smart
Choice Music store, their ethos is broadly similar - James Endecott, A&R Guru for
Rough Trade was once quoted as saying \"we'll just make great records and do our
damnedest to make people aware of them and make people buy them\".

Sally Smart, Director and the guiding force behind Smart Choice Music explains, \"We
know that it is becoming more and more difficult for independent artists to make an
impression on radio playlists, and ultimately no matter how good reviews and
recommendations are, customers need to hear music before they will spend money on
CDs or attend gigs\".

Sally\'s plan is simple; \"Customers will have a free copy of our Sampler Album sent
out with any CD they order through the store. We know that these customers are
already confirmed fans of Americana music, so they will get the chance to properly
hear tracks by artists they may have heard about, but not actually had a chance to
listen to\".

Smart Choice Music already boasts the lowest prices around for import CDs, and free
worldwide shipping is included with every order. This latest move is part of a
long-term strategy to make Americana, Roots and Country music more accessible and
affordable in the UK.

Please contact Smart Choice Music for review copies of the CD

Web Site = http://www,smartchoicemusic.com

Contact Details = Smart Choice Music
PO Box 157
Northumberland NE63 3AH
UK

+44 1670 856605
sally@smartchoicemusic.com