(New York, NY) — E1 Entertainment U.S. and Purpose Music Group LLC are pleased to announce exclusive licensing deals for R&B recording artists Elisabeth Withers and Anthony David. This new deal covers all territories excluding Europe, Australia, the U.K. and South Africa. The labels will collaborate in the artists’ development and marketing.
Withers, a Tony award nominee for her role as Shug Avery in the hit Broadway musical The Color Purple, is a dynamic singer/songwriter who trained at the prestigious Berklee School of Music. She released her first album, the critically acclaimed "It Can Happen to Anyone," on Blue Note Records in 2007. Her first release for E1/Purpose is targeted for June 2010.
David, a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, hails from Atlanta and was featured last year on Urban AC radio on the powerful duet "Words" with India.Arie from his album "Acey Duecy," a Universal release. He also has released two earlier, highly-regarded independent albums, "Three Chords and the Truth" and "Red Clay Chronicles." E1/Purpose plans to release his new album in Summer 2010.
Other R&B artists on the E1 roster include Faith Evans, Brian McKnight, Dwele and Vivian Green. Purpose is also the home of Grammy Award winner Maya Azucena, DJ Spinna, Angela Johnson, Monet and Shae Fiol and is co-owned by Russell Johnson and George Littlejohn.
About E1 Entertainment
E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) is a leading independent entertainment content owner that acquires film, television and music rights and exploits these rights in all media in more than 190 countries. The company currently operates in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Holland and Belgium through its four primary businesses units: E1 Television, E1 Films, E1 Music and E1 Distribution. These businesses collectively represent E1’s extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production/distribution, Kids content, Licensing and Distribution. E1’s content library includes more than 3,700 feature films, 2,700 hours of original television programming and 15,000 music tracks.