HOWARD HEWETT
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MULTI-PLATINUM SINGER/SONGWRITER'S
FIRST SINGLE “ENOUGH” FROM HIS SOON-TO-BE RELEASED ALBUM ON GROOVE RECORDS DEBUTS AT
#1 MOST ADDED ON URBAN AC RADIO
Singer/songwriter Howard Hewett is starting November with a bang. “Enough” the first single from soon-to-be released album on Groove Records debuted as #1 Most Added on Urban AC radio .
“It's great to be back on the radio and I'm happy that there is such a positive response to ‘ Enough ',” according to Hewett. The song is written by Hewett, Brandon Howard and Randy Bowland.
“We are ecstatic at the response to our new release with Howard. He is the cornerstone of our Groove label, and it is great to see how much love is out there for him,” said Mike Reynolds, CEO of The Groove Records.
Hewett's radio debut is quite an accomplishment for an artist, as well as an independent label, that's been away from the charts for almost a decade. Groove Records will support the upcoming CD release with a major radio and marketing campaign to let Hewett's fans know that he's back!
HOWARD HEWETT MULTI-PLATINUM SINGER/SONGWRITER TURNS ON THE ROMANCE AGAIN WITH "ENOUGH," THE FIRST SINGLE FROM HIS SOON-TO-BE RELEASED ALBUM ON GROOVE RECORDS GOES TO URBAN AC RADIO ON MONDAY OCTOBER 30
Years ago, even before Howard Hewett 's 80's heyday of hit after pop chart hit, fellow superstar Kenny Loggins gave the romantic R&B singer a bit of songwriting advice. “Be careful about what you record because it could become a hit song,” Loggins said,” and that means you'll have to perform it every night. So make sure you like it.”
Urban AC radio is about to find out as “Enough” the first single from Hewett's debut album for Groove Records , goes for ads at Urban AC radio on Monday, October 30. The song is written by Hewett, Brandon Howard and Randy Bowland.
From the man who brought you “I'm For Real,” “Stay,” “I Commit To Love,” “Strange Relationship,” “Once, Twice, Three Times,” and “Show Me,” Hewett submits his latest song “Enough.”
HOWARD HEWETT TURNS ON THE ROMANCE AGAIN WITH HIS FIRST
POP/R&B RECORDING IN OVER TEN YEARS
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R&B Vocal Superstar Launches Next Phase Of His Still Thriving, Multi-Platinum Three-Decade Career With Upcoming Project That Launches Groove Records,
The Legacy Label Division of Multi-Media Entertainment Company The Machine Productions
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The Romantic Musical Icon's 80's and 90's String Of Mega-Hits Include The Shalamar Classics “The Second Time Around” and “For The Lover In You”, and Solo Singles “Say Amen,” “I'm For Real,” “Stay,” “I Commit To Love” and “Show Me”
Years ago, even before Howard Hewett 's extraordinary mid to late 80s heyday of hit after pop chart hit, fellow superstar Kenny Loggins gave the romantic R&B singer a bit of songwriting advice. “Be careful about what you record because it could become a hit song,” Loggins said, “and that means you'll have to perform it it every night. So make sure you like it.”
Taking those words to heart, Hewett has been something of what he calls a “weekend warrior” these past years, performing over 120 live shows annually for fans (mostly from Friday-Sunday so he can spend time with his family) for fans who love his classic songs as much as he does. The romantic musical icon's incredible history of hitmaking includes “I'm For Real,” his first #1 hit in 1986, “Stay,” “I Commit To Love,” “Strange Relationship,” “Once, Twice, Three Times,” and “Show Me.”
Hewett's fans also can't get enough of his original modern gospel classic “Say Amen” (which launched a long history of inspirational music mixed in with the romance) and his earlier hits with his group Shalamar, which include “Dancing In The Sheets,” “A Night To Remember,” “For The Lover In You” and the near two million selling disco classic “The Second Time Around.”
Even though he's never really been away—in addition to his hectic touring schedule, he released the inspirational album The Journey in 2003 and has recorded over the years with Babyface and jazz stars George Duke, Brian Culbertson, Joe Sample and The Rippingtons--Hewett is cool with the term “comeback” to describe the exciting new project he's currently writing and recording for Groove Records, The Legacy Label Division of Multi-Media Entertainment Company The Machine Productions .
The singer is co-executive producing the as yet untitled album, his first strictly pop/R&B recording since 1994's It's Time , with The Machine's Director Of Business Development Ralph Johnson, the Grammy winning Hall of Famer and founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. Their collaboration brings full circle a professional relationship between the two that began long before the Shalamar days, when Johnson met Hewett at a dance club and, upon hearing his voice, asked the up and coming singer if he wanted to record some demos. Hewett is also co-producing tracks with Johnson, Mark Nelson (a onetime member of Az Yet) and Monty Seward, a top R&B session keyboardist who wrote many classic songs with Hewett, including “Say Amen.”
“In the years since I recorded It's Time, my fans would keep telling me they were waiting for me to put new material out,” Hewett says. “The truth is, I've been enjoying my life a lot, working with other artists, touring and spending time with my family, and I didn't have a lot to say creatively. In the last couple of years, though, I've really been inspired by what a lot of artists are doing in R&B music, from Mariah Carey's hip-hop influenced projects to Mary J. Blige, Heather Headley and Will.I.Am. Hearing great new sounds has really motivated me to get back in the studio and record again.”
Hewett promises that his Groove Records debut will have the great romantic lyrics and sound he's famous for, in addition to a socially conscious approach that reflects an awareness of things happening in the world today. “The vibe is basically about exploring different situations and bringing different grooves to the mix,” he says. “Lyrics and melodies have always been my forte, and it's great to be working with an organization like The Machine that is so open to my vision.”
Of the man Rolling Stone Magazine once called “the premiere vocalist of the post Marvin Gaye era of romantic pop,” The Machine CEO Mike Reynolds says, “We are so happy to complete this deal with Howard. He is a personal favorite of mine and we are privileged to have him on board as the anchor to our legacy catalogue of artists. He is the rightful heir to the throne left empty by the likes of Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye, and this album will be proof positive that Howard is back as an R&B icon!”
The feeling is mutual, as Hewett loves the idea of being on an independent label that is committed to their artists; in his early deals with major labels, he encountered the unfortunate reality of artists signed as tax writeoffs, who were given a lot of money but no ultimate corporate support.
“When I first started recording, my goal was to have a career that had longevity, not just a one shot deal where I made a lot of money and jumped out,” he says. “There are many things I love about The Machine, from their spiritual vibe to a real passion for their artists. I never had a problem as a professional singer going out and making a living. But getting a great team like this behind me hasn't always been as easy.”
Hewett fully embraces the modern technology, which allowed him to record his entire previous album The Journey in a home studio environment, and makes the recording of this new album a very comfortable, creatively stimulating experience. “In the old days, labels had to shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars and hire out big commercial studios to achieve the same result,” he says.
“What's exciting about today's market is not only the ability to record economically, but also so many new ways to market music. I'm fortunate that I bring to the table a strong history of recordings and a fan base that is curious as to what I'm going to do next. I think over the years, I've become even more comfortable both professionally and personally in my own skin, and I like passing that vibe off to the audience. I love the career I've had to this point, but I'm also really excited about what's going to happen from this point on.”
