Jeff Bates Signs to Black River Music Group

Jeff Bates Signs to Black River Music Group
Submitted By Erin Morris
Dec 20, 2007

Plans Set to Release First Album in March 2008

Nashville – Singer and songwriter Jeff Bates, who first charmed country fans in 2003 with his Top 10 hit “The Love Song,” has signed to record for Black River Music Group. Working with producer and Black River’s label chief, Jimmy Nichols, Bates expects to have a new album out in early March 2008. Co-producers for the project are Kenny Beard and Mickey Jack Cones.

Photo: Seated (L-R) Jeff Bates; Jimmy Nichols

Standing (L-R) Rob Hendon, Director of Publishing BRMG; Terry Pegula, BRMG co-owner; Johnny Dorris, Bates' co-manager; Tonya Ginnetti, Director of Artist Relations BRMG; Kenny Beard, Bates' co-manager & co-producer; Mickey Jack Cones, co-producer; Kim Pagula, BMRG co-owner; Rush Hicks, attorney.

Bates initially signed to RCA Records in 2002. That association yielded two albums—Rainbow Man (2003) and Leave The Light On (2006)—plus seven chart singles—“The Love Song,” “Rainbow Man,” “I Wanna Make You Cry,” “Long Slow Kisses,” “Good People,” “No Shame” and “One Second Chance.” A gifted songwriter, the Mississippi-born Bates co-penned five of these singles.

Years of church and back-porch singing have forged Bates into a spellbinding live performer, a point made clear at the 2006 New Faces Show during Country Radio Seminar. Backing himself expertly on guitar, he alternately charmed and rocked the toughest audience in the world—radio programmers—with a set that ranged from sensitive ballads to roaring rockabilly. The crowd ate it up.

Nichols commented, “I think Jeff gives country fans everything they want in an artist. He’s a traditionalist who respects country’s roots, and he’s hip enough for younger fans to appreciate as well. He’s a gifted singer who knows how to interpret a song, and he puts on an amazing stage show. Black River Music Group is enormously proud and excited to have him on our roster.”

Says Bates, “All an artist really wants to do is share his voice and vision with the world. Black River sees my music the same way I do. I think we’re on the verge of some great things.”