ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Return of Smalltown Poets
by CA Staff for Christian Activities
10/29/2003

Nashville, TN - Change and progression takes time. In the case of Smalltown Poets, the exact time has lapsed six years from their self-titled debut release in 1997 to their upcoming BEC Recordings debut coming early this 2004. In those six years the Georgia natives, whose original members met in high school, have completed three albums, scanning over 250,000 copies, received nominations for two Grammy Awards, seven Dove Awards, and created ten Top 10 singles.

In the time since, Smalltown Poets has taken on new members with Alex Peterson taking on bass and Troy Stains at guitar joining already existing members Michael Johnston and Matt Goldman. But the newest change is in their label home. In the summer of 2003, Smalltown inked a deal with BEC Recordings joining new labelmates like Jeremy Camp, Seven Places, and Telecast.

“I don’t see anyone else that thinks outside the box and allows for artistic freedom like Brandon Ebel has with BEC Recordings and Tooth & Nail,” explains Michael Johnston of the band’s decision. “As we get to share our musical vision more in the coming days, we anticipate BEC Recordings to be the perfect place to be the interface between our songs and music lovers. We sense an excitement at our new label home, about the band and getting the word out about our new music. Our goal is to connect with more people and feed the souls of music lovers with good songs. We love the fact that BEC has the ability to broaden the potential of our music in many ways throughout the marketplace. We look forward to our songs going places they have never been before.”