"Sounds Like a Party" Released in Europe, Australia

For Immediate Release:

Shawna Russell Releases “Sounds Like A Party” in Europe and Australia via Hotdisc

Single is Her Second Radio Release from Her Forthcoming Self-Titled Way Out West Records’ Sophomore Album to be Debuted in Month-Long Promotion at CMR Nashville, Europe’s #1 Country Radio Station

NASHVILLE, TN (May 2, 2011) – Shawna Russell has released the single, “Sounds Like A Party” to European and Australian radio via the May edition of Hotdisc (similar to the US CDX service http://www.hotdisc.net). Promotion for “Sounds Like A Party” is being handled by Lee Williams of Django Promotions in London.

Radio programmers can preview and download a broadcast quality copy of the song at: http://airplaydirect.com/shawnarussell/.

“Sounds Like A Party” is Russell’s second radio single release in less than a month, having released “Get Right Or Get Left” to US radio in mid-April.

Both singles and Russell’s upcoming self-titled sophomore album on Way Out West Records are included in a featured artist album promotion during the month of May at CMR Nashville, Europe’s #1 radio station http://www.cmrnashville.com/.

Russell’s European push is sponsored by AirPlay Direct, the global digital delivery platform that has strategic partnerships with both Hotdisc and CMR Nashville.

"I am so excited to have my new music released in Europe!”  Russell says. “It gives me a chance to reconnect with fans and have the opportunity to reach new listeners."

“The decision to release two different singles from Shawna simultaneously in different parts of the world was based on data gathered from her radio download activity at AirPlay Direct,” states Way Out West Records VP/Managing Partner, Clif Doyal. “We began testing songs from the new album with the AirPlay Direct global radio panel in January, and while “Get Right Or Get Left” received the most attention from US programmers, “Sounds Like A Party” was the hands-down favorite among radio tastemakers from across the Atlantic. We wanted to capitalize on that fact and continue to develop the strong European following that Shawna attracted from her debut album ‘Goddess,’” Doyal says. “It is the first time that we have utilized real-time statistical download tracking data to help make decisions on the singles that we release from her. As an independent label, we need every advantage that we can get, and AirPlay Direct offers us the ability to know which new songs of Shawna’s that global radio is most excited about.” (In the sense of full disclosure, Doyal is also Executive VP of AirPlay Direct.)

“Sounds Like A Party” was produced by Grammy-winning engineer Julian King, along with Doyal and Tim Russell. The track features Shawna on electric slide guitar, along with a cast of all-star backing musicians, including Shannon Forrest (2010 ACM “Top Percussionist / Drummer”); bassist Mike Brignardello (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sugarland); mandolin, banjo and acoustic guitarist and 7-time IBMA “Guitar Player of the Year,” Bryan Sutton; electric, slide and acoustic guitarist, Jon Conley (LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna); along with keyboardist Jim “Moose” Brown (Jamey Johnson, Darius Rucker).