MUSIC INDUSTRY’S FIRST INTERACTIVE DVD/CD ALBUM “TAKE ONE STEP” BY GUITAR VIRTUOSO CARL VERHEYEN COULD REINVIGORATE SLUGGISH ALBUM SALES

(Los Angeles) March 9, 2007 – LA based label AIX Records has incorporated state-of-the-art technology into an indie release. “Take One Step”, available March 13th, 2007 by guitar virtuoso Carl Verheyen is the first of a new breed of “DVD/CD Albums” that bring together music, video, interviews, ring tones, web connections and more in a single product. This unique 2-disc DVD-A/V/ECD set features: an HD 5.1 surround mix, 2 alternate 5.1 mixes, an HD stereo mix, 75 minutes of video, artist interviews, optimized pre-ripped MP3 files, ring tones, song charts as PDF files and web connection software.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Carl Verheyen package is an exclusive feature of AIX Records releases; which is multiple mixes of each track. Listeners can choose to experience the music from the “stage” or “audience” perspective.

With CD sales at record lows, this innovative approach to content and delivery might be the shot in the arm the sagging business model needs. AIX president Mark Waldrep thinks so, “this answers the question the music industry had been asking which is – what is the future of physical delivery and how can record labels monetize content in a way that is a win for the artist, the label and most importantly, the consumer?” He adds, “today’s consumer craves technologically; we have to constantly evolve to earn their loyalty”.

Carl, no stranger to pushing the technology envelope, won the first ever DVD award for Best Dual Disc and received 3 other DVD Award nominations for his 2005 release “Rumor Mill” including Best Audio Presentation, and Best Authoring. In 1996 Carl was given the prestigious honor of being named “One of the Top 10 guitar players in the world” by Guitar Magazine. He continues to be one of LA’s elite “first call” musicians performing and recording with everyone from Christina Aguilera and Cher to BB King and Dolly Parton. Carl continues to work closely with Austrian string company Thomastik-Infeld developing a line of signature strings for electric guitar that perfectly balance the tremolo bridge of the Fender Stratocaster. In addition, Carl is an accomplished writer with numerous articles published in industry publications.

Verheyen’s future plans again include merging music and technology; he has plans to teach a series on-line Master Classes aimed at giving students an all-access pass to learn first hand from the guitar legend himself. Carl is “thrilled with the chance to take advantage of all the exciting opportunities this technology has to offer”.

Award-winning AIX Records, based in Los Angeles, is a media label that specializes in producing and releasing new high-end music products. Their unique production methods have established a new music product category. Mark Waldrep believes, “the essence of music-making and the shear joy of listening to great performers have become lost over the past decade or more and it’s time to bring them back…our releases use state-of-the-art HD technology to do just that.”


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