Bill's PurpleCrayon Blog

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (USA) -- Minneapolis-based Nightmare Records, one of the fastest-growing independent record labels in the U.S. for melodic, progressive, and power metal bands, today named PurpleCrayon Direct as its agency of record for all marketing communications. This marks the first collaboration between the two companies.

"I'm thrilled to work with Lance King," said PurpleCrayon Direct owner Bill Murphy. "Lance is one of the rare ones in the music industry today. He's not only a label owner, but he's also one of the world's best vocalists. So he knows both sides of the industry. His passion for progressive and power metal is unbelievable. And his stable of artists is truly remarkable."

As agency of record, PurpleCrayon Direct will assist Nightmare Records with all of its marketing communications, including advertising, public relations, strategic direction, and web sites.

Lance King, former vocalist for such bands as Balance of Power and Pyramaze, and current vocalist for Avian and Krucible, said the collaboration between his label and PurpleCrayon Direct came at the right time.

"My label has been growing dramatically," said King. "I've reached the point where I could use the help of someone like Bill Murphy. He's been in the marketing profession for over 15 years, and he's extremely passionate about my bands. He works with the Hungarian progressive metal band Everwood, the legendary British progressive rock band Galahad, and has been named the official interviewer for ProgPower USA in Atlanta three years running. So he knows the music industry as well as the marketing industry."

PurpleCrayon Direct began in 1999 as a general agency, but switched to working solely with artists three years ago.

To date, Murphy has provided marketing communications for Miami Vice actor Philip Michael Thomas, watercolorist Win Jones, Galahad, Everwood, and numerous bands around the world. In addition, he has interviewed some of the best-known musicians in progressive rock and metal, including Greg Lake (King Crimson/ELP), John Wetton (King Crimson/Uriah Heep/Asia), Ian McDonald (King Crimson/Foreigner), Bill Bruford (King Crimson/Yes/Genesis), Steve Howe (Yes/Asia), Steve Rothery (Marillion), Fish (Marilion), Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Tom S. Englund (Evergrey), Stuart Nicholson (Galahad), Floor Jansen (After Forever), Chris Caffery (Savatage, TSO), Mattias "IA" Eklundh (Freak Kitchen), Jasun Tipton (Zero Hour), Jorn Lande, Zak Stevens (Savatage, Circle II Circle), Olaf Thorsen (Vision Divine), Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Nils K. Rue (Pagan's Mind) and many more.

Nightmare Records was formed in 1990 with the release of Lance's self-titled debut album from Gemini, and is presently home to the some of the best progressive and power metals bands from all points of the globe, including Suspyre, Prototype, Beyond Twilight, Cloudscape, Pyramaze, Katagory V, and Evil Masquerade. He signs 9-10 bands per year and keeps a massive back-catalog of CDs on hand for purchase directly from Nightmare Records’ online store.

"Lance King is a tireless worker on behalf of his bands. He's absolutely dedicated to helping them succeed," said Murphy. "It's a pleasure to work with someone so devoted to his music. I predict great things in store for us."

Given the passion and dedication of these two business owners, how could anyone expect less?



FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bill Murphy, Advertising and Marketing Consultant,
PurpleCrayon Direct
bill@purplecrayondirect.com

Nightmare Records is found on the web at: www.Nightmare-Records.com,
www.myspace.com/nightmarerecords1 (label page), and www.myspace.com/nightmarerecordsmusic (indie distro page).

Also, visit the OFFICIAL NIGHTMARE RECORDS FORUM on ULTIMATE METAL FORUMS
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/nightmare-records-436/