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HITS Daily Double
"VH1 got behind KT Tunstall from the very beginning by making her a ‘You Oughta Know’ artist, and they have never wavered in their support. They have been a huge part of this incredible story."
—-Jason Flom, Virgin Records Chairman/CEO

VH1 AND KRIM IN THE "KNOW"

Programming Helps Boost New Artists KT Tunstall, James Blunt and
With apologies to Alanis Morissette, VH1 says You Oughta Know about the new, up-and-coming artists being spotlighted by the network, which has been breaking acts for almost a year now through video, online, editorial and retail exposure.

The latest batch of You Oughta Know artists includes Virgin’s KT Tunstall, Custard/Atlantic’s James Blunt, Epic’s The Fray and So So Def/ZLG’s Anthony Hamilton, and the VH1 visibility seems to have made them “Oughta”-matic hits. Among those who have credited the VH1 programming initiative with boosting sales of their artists are Atlantic’s Julie Greenwald and Virgin’s Jason Flom.

Said Flom: "VH1 got behind KT Tunstall from the very beginning by making her a ‘You Oughta Know’ artist, and they have never wavered in their support. They have been a huge part of this incredible story."

You Oughta Know artists get monthly endcap placement in 260 Borders Books and Music stores nationwide.

VH1 EVP Music & Talent Relations Rick Krim is bullish: “You Oughta Know has evolved nicely into a true partnership between VH1, emerging artists and their labels. We’re playing and promoting the music across all of our platforms—VH1, VH1.com and our off-air marketing campaign. Exposing our viewers to new music is a huge priority for VH1, and they’ve really responded this past year.”

*Tunstall has sold more than 75k in just three weeks of her debut, Eye to the Telescope, which has produced the hit single “Black Horse & the Cherry Tree.”

*Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” has catapulted his debut album, Back to Bedlam, into the Top 10.

*The Fray is a Denver-based “jam” band whose debut album, How to Save a Life, is now over 100k sold and selling almost 10k a week, with a single, “Over My Head (Cable Car),” crossing over to Pop from Triple-A.

*Hamilton's new album, Ain’t Nobody Worryin’, was released last year, and has sold more than 350k to date.

Previous beneficiaries include Aqualung, Leela James, Keane and Anna Nalick. Next up: Warner Bros. Records’ touted Daniel Powter.

Another VH1 initiative, Hear Music First, offers pre-release streams of new albums by Mute’s electro diva Goldfrapp, Capitol’s guitar-slinging R&B troubadour Javier and Milking Bull/EMI’s The Little Willies, featuring Norah Jones and friends. WB’s Red Hot Chili Peppers and Atlantic’s Jewel are the next acts whose new music will be previewed.