"SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER" NAMED ALBUM OF THE YEAR BY 7BALL MAGAZINE (SQUINT RELEASE DEBUTS HIGHEST AT RETAIL AND RADIO)

NASHVILLE, TENN--Sixpence None the Richer's Squint Entertainment debut has been named 1997's Album of the Year by 7ball Magazine (Jan./Feb. '98 issue). The band's self-titled effort had entered Christian music's SoundScan chart at #8 for the week of 11.17.97, making the band the highest artist debut of the period. The following week Sixpence None the Richer's first single, "Love," entered CCM's Top 25 Christian Hit Radio chart as the week's highest debut at #16.

"We're really happy that so many people seem to love this album as much as we do," states Squint Entertainment founder, Steve Taylor. "There are many important bridges being built on our behalf, and we know that we have much to be thankful for."

During the first week of Sixpence None the Richer's album release, the band embarked on a 6 day, 12 city promotional tour, making appearances at Christian retail outlets, radio stations and colleges. Cities visited included Chicago, Minneapolis, Green Bay, Columbus (Ohio), Chattanooga, Atlanta and Dallas, among others.

"I'd always wanted to ride in a Lear Jet, so it was quite a thrill flying with the band to six cities in the first two days," reflects Taylor, who joined the group for the tour's intense launch. "Whether it was meeting 80 people in-store for a 6:30 'Breakfast with Sixpence,' or joining the band in taking listener calls at radio, it's evident that Sixpence's fans are loyal and they are many."

Another coup for Sixpence None the Richer is the recent involvement of world-renowned engineer, Bob Clearmountain (The Rolling Stones, Tori Amos, Bruce Springsteen). Clearmountain called Taylor at home to request the opportunity to remix Sixpence's radio singles. The songs of choice were "Love," "Sister, Mother" and "Kiss Me." "My assistant and I were skimming through a large stack of recently collected tapes," recalls Clearmountain. "And the minute the Sixpence album started we just looked up and stared at each other. We then listened to the whole album all the way through--twice! This is one of the best bands I've heard in a long time. I love Leigh Nash's voice-she's become one of my favorite female singers."

Clearmountain's mix of "Sister, Mother" will be released to Christian radio in early '98. A special limited edition vinyl EP, self-titled, will feature the three mixes, as well as the previously unreleased song, "Sad But True." The record will arrive in mainstream retail outlets in late January.

Sixpence None the Richer was the featured artist on the cover of CCM Magazine's December issue, and the focus of CCM Radio Magazine's weekly program on December 27th. In the coming weeks, the band will announce major plans for an extensive spring tour in further support of the new album.

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