NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 21, 2009 – NASCAR’s Ryan and Krissie Newman and Music Row publisher Carolyn Miller announce the formation of MPR Entertainment Group. The company launches Root 49 Records, an independent record label, with plans to release an album by flagship artist Bridgette Tatum in early 2010. The publishing arm, Root 49 Music, will also fall under MPR Entertainment Group.

Winner of the 50th Anniversary Daytona 500 and 12 additional Sprint Cup races, Ryan Newman and his wife, Krissie, met Miller in 2006 and the three became fast friends. The Newmans encouraged Miller as she launched Root 49 Music in 2008 and were there to celebrate with her when the publishing company’s first cut “She’s Country,” written by Tatum and Danny Myrick, went #1 for Jason Aldean a year later. Miller’s belief in Tatum and desire to release a full album presented an opportunity for the trio to work together. Both Krissie and Ryan will have an active role in the newly formed company residing as CEOs along side Miller.

“We have watched Bridgette grow over the past few years and she has a natural talent, a strong voice and driven nature,” says Krissie Newman. “Our business experiences, as well as Carolyn’s amazing accomplishments with her company, can only fuel the momentum surrounding Bridgette. We look forward to a long career in country music.” Ryan Newman adds. “Krissie and I are involved in all aspects of my racing career – from marketing and promotion to creative and PR; we can help bring new opportunities to Bridgette’s already skyrocketing career.”

Root 49 Records names Nancy Tunick of Grassroots Promotion and Larry Pareigis of Nine North Records to lead radio promotion; Jules Wortman of Wortman Works Media & Marketing as head of public relations and Michelle Fiddler of Artisanal Management for head of marketing.

“Integrity is first and foremost what I look for in friends, and I can now say that those friends are also my business partners,” says Miller. “To have the marketing sensibilities that come with running a long-standing NASCAR team; whose love of music and winning equal mine, I knew we would make a strong team.”

Bridgette Tatum is currently visiting radio stations across the country promoting her first single, “I Like My Cowboys Dirty.” The rockin’ anthem has been winning critical and fan approval. From Roughstock.com, “With this one song Bridgette Tatum, who co-wrote Jason Aldean’s ‘She’s Country,’ has set herself up as an artist truly worth paying attention to. Hell, with that husky vibrato-filled voice of hers, she may even become country music’s own Pat Benatar or Joan Jett or Nancy Wilson. ‘Cowboys Dirty’ should be but the first of quite a few hits for Bridgette.”

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www.root49music.com
www.bridgettetatum.com
www.ryannewman.org