Corinne Bailey Rae: Successes with the debut album

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Corinne Bailey Rae's self-titled debut album entered the U.K. album chart at #1 in March. She made chart history as the first female British artist to do so with a debut album of original songs. Corinne Bailey Rae is currently certified double Platinum there, and Gold in numerous other countries, with worldwide sales already well over one million. Now Bailey Rae is poised to take North America, launching the album with performances on "Good Morning America" (June 19th, the day before the album's release) and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" (June 27th) as well as a series of sold-out shows in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. While in the States, Bailey Rae will also tape appearances on PBS' "The Tavis Smiley Show" and A&E's "Breakfast with the Arts." Dates are being finalized for a full North American summer tour.

Early reaction has been astounding with Starbucks signing on to carry Corinne Bailey Rae at its Company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada, a cross-platform "You Oughta Know" campaign at VH1, VH1 Soul and VH1.com and a BET award nomination. And this week iTunes is featuring an acoustic version of lead single "Put Your Records On" as Single of the Week. "Rae's music sticks in your mind like a pleasant scent you wish would linger, " said Blender while Entertainment Weekly said, "Corinne Bailey Rae is so 5 minutes from now ... Think a warm, sultry blend of Norah Jones Cool and Macy Gray Soul, with songwriting that shows flashes of Fiona Apple."

"Put Your Records On" spent three weeks atop the U.K. Airplay chart and is now climbing the charts at Smooth Jazz and AAA radio in the States. The accompanying video has already been added by VH1 Soul, where it was recently the #1 most played video. Now it's going into rotation at VH1 and Bailey Rae will be the focus of a massive cross-platform (VH1, VH1 Soul, vh1.com) "You Oughta Know" campaign beginning June 5th, which will include coverage on VH1 News, live performances, a VH1 Soul Listening Party and an appearance on VH1's Top 20 Countdown. Bailey Rae will also play her favorite videos in a Top 10 Countdown on VH1 Soul. "Put Your Records On" has been bumped up to "Very Cool" rotation at BETJ and has already earned her a nomination for the "BETJ Cool Like That" award. The BET awards will take place on June 27th.

Bailey Rae is one of six new emerging artists hand-picked by AOL Music for its innovative "Breakers" program. The four-month series of promotions includes an "AOL Sessions" performance, prime placements throughout the network and heavy rotation on AOL Radio. Clear Channel has also singled out Bailey Rae as one of today's most notable new artists, tapping her for its Spring 2006 "NEW!" program, which features three rising artists from five formats on its stations' websites.

In addition to carrying the album in its Company-operated stores in the U.S. and Canada, Starbucks' customers will be introduced to Corinne Bailey Rae with overhead in-store play; web site promotion (http://www.hearmusic.com/); programming and promotional spots on Hear Music(TM) Channel 75 on XM Satellite Radio; and a special contest in which Starbucks Hear Music, XM Satellite Radio and Capitol Records are offering the chance to win a trip for two to see one of Corinne's performances on her European tour.

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