Fontana Kicks-Off Blockbuster Summer Atop the Charts

Fontana Kicks-Off Blockbuster Summer Atop the Charts

Rock Super-Group Chickenfoot and Pre-Eminent Hip Hop Artist Mos Def Score the #(4) and #(9) Albums in Country, Respectively

LOS ANGELES, June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Fontana, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, has topped the national albums chart this week with two albums in the Top 10: the self-titled debut of Chickenfoot (#4)(Red Line) and Mos Def's Ecstatic (#9) (Downtown), according to Nielsen Soundscan.

"Everyone at Fontana is delighted that so many people have discovered what we have already known--the unique talent and true artistry of our bands and partner labels," stated Ron Spaulding, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Fontana. "Independent music is thriving, and our ability to help our labels take their artists to the next level is a testament to the Fontana Difference: an unwavering focus on artist development while providing our partners the broadest array of services and opportunities anywhere in the industry."

In addition, both Ecstatic and Chickenfoot topped the Overall Digital Albums chart as well, ranking as the #3 and #4 digital albums in country, respectively, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Chickenfoot, the rock supergroup featuring vocalist Sammy Hagar (Van Halen and Montrose), bassist Michael Anthony (Van Halen), guitarist Joe Satriani and drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), brings their unique, high-energy style of rock-n-roll to the masses with their self-titled debut album. The band is currently preparing their first world tour, which kicks-off in Austria on June 20. The album also holds the #1 spot on the national Independent Music chart this week according to Nielsen Soundscan.

As one of the most influential and highly-regarded Hip Hop artists of our time, Mos Def bursts back onto the scene with his first release on Downtown Records entitled Ecstatic. The album features the singles "Marvelous Times," "Quiet Dog" and "Casa Bey." Mos Def is currently on an extensive media tour with appearances on Letterman and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Fontana will continue to fuel its blockbuster summer of releases with upcoming albums from Placebo (Vagrant), Michael Johns (Downtown), Brooke White (June Baby), Alexisonfire (Vagrant), Marques Houston (TUG), Black Crowes DVD (Eagle Rock), Mack 10 (Hoo Bangin), Reggae Gold 2009 (VP), Sugar Ray (Pulse), Joe (Kedar), Chico DeBarge (Kedar), Trick Daddy (Dunk Ryders), Brand New (IGA), Rakim (SMC), Tech N9ne (Strange), Anvil DVD (VH1 Classic), Tim Buckley (Tompkins Sq), Gin Blossoms (429/Savoy), Mannheim Steamroller (American Gramaphone), David Gray (Mercer St /Downtown), The Features (429/Savoy), Jason Aldean DVD (Eagle Rock) and Cold (Sonic Star), among others.

ABOUT FONTANA

Fontana Distribution, the independent arm of UMG, provides unparalleled sales and marketing support, as well as back office services, for a diverse roster of labels and their artists. Fontana distributes more than 100 labels including American Gramophone, Delicious Vinyl, Downtown, Eagle Rock Entertainment, Federal, Ipecac, Last Gang, Ministry of Sound, Modular, MySpace Records, Nitro, Six Degrees, SMC, Strange Music, Trustkill, Vagrant Records, VH1 Classic Records and VP Records, among many others. In addition, Fontana distributes select projects from UMG labels worldwide.

Source: Universal Music Group

CONTACT: Peter LoFrumento, or Maria Ho-Burge, both of Universal Music
Group, +1-212-331-2569

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