Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ Webster PR) SRR Records has partnered with the leading direct-to-fan software platform Topspin to create a special store for the upcoming
Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business album. Releasing June 21st, A Family Business marks the first time the entire Norwood family has recorded together and is a companion piece to their hit VH1 reality series of the same name. The Topspin site, (BrandyAndRayJMusic.com), will feature promotional items and bundles not found anywhere else as well as contests, giveaways and downloads.
"Brandy, Ray J, Sonja and Willie have a special relationship with their fans built through years of hit songs, top-ranked TV shows and an incredible number of personal appearances," SRR Senior VP of Retail Mike Jason notes. "Topspin takes that relationship and allows them to speak directly to fans and offer those fans entertainment content and exclusive merchandise."
"Brandy and Ray J have done an incredible job bridging traditional and new media, making direct connections to fans of their music and television show," adds Ian Rogers, CEO of Topspin. "Topspin is honored to be the software platform of choice as they make direct connections to their fans and offer those fans very special products."
Beginning today, fans can pre-order a variety of items or packages that will not be sold anywhere else, starting with tee shirts. Other content and merchandise will be added during the next few months. Each item at the Topspin store can be purchased individually or in customized packages.
The Topspin store will also offer a number of products to fans who sign up for an account at no cost and with no obligation to make purchases on the site. The store will run a series of giveaway contests leading up to the June 21st release date of the album and every person who signs up for a new account will receive a download of the single "Ready To Roll," which features Ray J on lead vocals alongside guest artist TKO.
The Norwood family album is the first R&B signing to SRR (Saguaro Road Rhythm), the R&B imprint of Saguaro Road Records, an affiliate of Time Life Records that was launched two years ago with a commitment to American music. The company is home to the Norwoods' album, Smokey Robinson's Time Flies When You're Having Fun and Here and Now albums, various Grammy-nominated/winning albums from the Blind Boys of Alabama and Christmas with the O'Jays, among others.
Topspin is a direct-to-fan technology platform for artists to create their own retail channels, promote their products throughout the web, and connect directly with their fans. Since coming out of stealth mode in June 2008, a number of artists have chosen the Topspin platform to market music directly to their fans, including Paul McCartney, Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, Pixies, David Byrne & Brian Eno, Arcade Fire, Eminem, Metric, and Cee Lo Green. Topspin is now open to all artists, musicians, filmmakers and authors.
