Hall & Oates Take Byrd Under Their Wing

Press release
Source: Rhonda Boudreaux

Geoff Byrd

Geoff Byrd is an amazing singer/songwriter from Portland, OR who made a name for himself in the music industry when the press touted him as the first pop artist to make it via the Internet. He went to the #1 most played song on the Internet in the “World” as an unsigned artist for two weeks, which had never been done before. # 2 was U2 “Vertigo” and #3 Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

Making the leap from indie to “big news” came when Billboard and Radio & Records did a cover story on him when his breakthrough song, "Silver Plated", rocketed on many Hot AC mainstream and Internet radio stations across the nation without the support of a record label. The media had taken notice because the success of Byrd’s music is essentially a marketing triumph and phenomenon. Two years after his self-released debut album Candy Shell took mainstream radio by storm Byrd’s hard work has paid off thanks to his relentless drive and the success of his self released single “Silver Plated”.

Byrd opted to sign with indie label Granite Records in early 2005 rather than with a major label. Granite released Shrinking Violets, Byrd’s second album, and his second “label” released single Before Kings that was well received by mainstream radio (# 42 on Hot AC radio) and noticed by CAA booking agent for Hall & Oates. CAA, who also represents Byrd, started work on tour dates for Byrd with Hall & Oates.

After just one performance at the Greek in Los Angeles, John Oates was so impressed he asked Byrd to join him at his home in Aspen to write and collaborate on songs. Both Hall & Oates have literally taken Byrd under their wing and are passing the torch of what Byrd calls “classic pop” music where melody is still king and carrying on the tradition of artists like Hall and Oates, Elton John, Jellyfish and Crowded House. He has been performing for up to 10,000 people and received a standing ovation, even as the opening act for Hall and Oates, at the Beacon Theater in New York City.

Byrd will be touring as the opening act with Hall & Oates throughout 2006 including Vancouver, BC, Seattle, Portland, OR, Del Mar, CA, Denver, CO, Saratoga, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Laughlin and Henderson, NV. He will also be with them for a Canadian tour in August. Hall & Oates’ influence on Byrd is evident in his musical style; smooth delivery and high-spirited melodies giving that classic sound that is missing in today’s pop music.

The amount of talent that Byrd has met in the last few months is truly amazing. He will be writing with John Oates, composer/songwriters Jed Leiber and Jim Brickman (Valentine with Martina McBride, Love of My Life with Michael W. Smith, The Gift with Collin Raye and Susan Ashton), Billy Morrison of the Cult and now Camp Freddy with Dave Navarro and Scott Weiland. He is also hoping to write with Daryl Hall and John Oates for their next record. Byrd loves writing in all styles from AC to Hard Rock to Hip Hop to his favorite, Pop.

Byrd’s songs are getting major television exposure on MTV programs such as Road Rules, Next, and Real World and America’s Next Top Model. He also co wrote the theme song for Lifetime’s Cheerleader Nation with Josh Millman, which is expected to get picked up again next season.

Byrd’s convincing vocals and compelling songwriting have earned him respect of his contemporaries, as well as significant radio airplay and is being well received on his first national tour building a solid fan following.

With his highly impressive accomplishments Byrd doesn’t take things for granted and appreciates the support from all his fans. He emails every one of them back personally.

Granite Records is distributed by Fontana Distribution, a Universal Music Group Company. For more information about Granite Records, please visit www.GraniteRecords.com.

For Geoff Byrd tour dates please visit: www.geoffbyrd.com.

Contact: Rhonda Boudreaux
Publicist
Rdboudreaux1@aol.com