New Atlantic Recording Artist Lucy Woodward Breaks Through Via AOL Music; "Dumb Girls" Streams Pass Half Million Mark, is #3 Most-added Song in First Week At Pop Radio

Business Wire, Jan 27, 2003

Entertainment Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2003

In just two months, new Atlantic recording artist Lucy Woodward has become a huge hit with AOL Music fans, who have streamed her debut single, "Dumb Girls," more than 500,000 times.

AOL members had a unique opportunity to hear the single on AOL Music weeks before it shipped to radio stations. Since November, when Lucy was named an AOL Music "Breaker" artist, "Dumb Girls" has been showcased throughout the AOL Music network, including the AOL Artist Discovery Network, the AOL Welcome Screen, AOL Teens, Netscape, CompuServe, and the Welcome Screen of AOL's Instant Messenger(TM) service.

Following weeks of exposure via the AOL Music campaign, "Dumb Girls" shipped to radio nationwide earlier this month. With the groundwork laid and a major fan base already developed, the song instantly became the #2 most-added track at Hot AC/Modern Adult outlets, and it is now the #3 most-added song at CHR/Pop radio in its first week at the format.

AOL Music will continue featuring Lucy Woodward by offering a performance and interview from Sessions@AOL. Additionally, her "Dumb Girls" companion music video will premiere exclusively on AOL this month; and AOL Music will stream the singer/songwriter's debut album, "WHILE YOU CAN," in its entirety as an exclusive Listening Party the night before its March 18th street date. As a special bonus, purchasers of "WHILE YOU CAN" will be able to unlock a never-before-viewed song from Woodward's Sessions@AOL performance.

This multi-layered roll-out sees Woodward joining the company of other recent successful Breaker artists like Michelle Branch, Tweet, Vanessa Carlton, and Avril Lavigne - all of whom were featured in advance interactive campaigns on AOL Music. Millions of music fans enjoyed exclusive songs, videos, Sessions@AOL interviews, and performances from each of these artists before their music was available anywhere else. As a result of these campaigns, AOL Music has been credited with helping to break these young artists.

"With the `Breaker' campaigns, AOL Music has created an outstanding vehicle to introduce a new artist," commented Atlantic Records Co-President Ron Shapiro. "The ability to have an unknown performer seen and heard by such an enormous online community gives us an unprecedented jump-start in launching a career. Lucy is an exceptional talent, and the phenomenal reaction she has received proves that when you have both a great artist and a great way to expose them to an active, engaged audience, millions of people are eager to embrace their music."

"Connecting music fans with new artists is the lifeblood of the music business. We are thrilled that record labels and artists have chosen to partner with AOL Music to debut an artist and create a groundswell before going to radio, television, and other traditional mediums," said Bill Wilson, Vice President and General Manager, AOL Music. "It is no surprise that our members have responded so positively to Lucy's debut single. We are confident the excitement will continue to build, and her fanbase will grow when we debut her video and her moving performance on Sessions@AOL."

Lucy Woodward said, "My first reaction was how cool it is to be able to turn on your computer and see your face on AOL when no one really knows who you are. Then it dawned on me that millions of people were doing the same thing at the same time, and even though they had never heard of me, thousands of them were actually taking the time to listen to my music. It is bizarre and wonderful and incredibly exciting."

Armed with undeniable talent, Lucy Woodward blends a variety of influences - blue-eyed soul, rock, pop - into a style all her own. "WHILE YOU CAN," her Atlantic debut - produced by John Shanks (Michelle Branch, Sheryl Crow, the Corrs) and Kevin Kadish - marries Woodward's strong and sexy vocals with a delightfully melodic modern sound. From the widescreen ballad, "Standing," to the playfully pointed first single, "Dumb Girls," "WHILE YOU CAN" marks the arrival of a captivating and irresistible new artist. The daughter of two musicologists, Woodward was born in England and moved to Holland when she was 3. She currently lives in New York City, where she spent much of her teenage years.

In the forefront of the music scene, AOL Music regularly names "Breaker" artists, identified as top emerging talent from across the industry. At AOL Keyword: Artist Discovery Network, members can view exclusive performances, videos and interviews from these hot up-and-coming musicians. Breaker artists also appear across AOL Music destinations, including the Artist Discovery Network - a special area dedicated to helping members discover the best new music from major and independent record labels through premiere original programming, in-depth artist information, local music links by zip code, and genre-based "Listening Lounges," as well as AOL Music's popular web music destinations, including Netscape Music, AOL Instant Messenger's AIM Today, ICQ, and more.