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VAN HUNT
The son of a part-time painter and pimp, Van Hunt began to hear the soundtrack of music at an early age. Watching his father and friends, he was exposed to a huge cross-section of life at an early age. "I began to hear a soundtrack for the scenes and images to which I'd been exposed," said Van Hunt. "I began to hear words and melodies underneath the romance and the grit. I was completely taken by the pictures on album covers and the words inside the sleeves, words like 'synthesizer,' and 'Hollywood.' There was an explosion of thoughts and ideas inside of me. I began singing my new songs to the thousands of people I saw in the mirror. And, I played scintillating guitar licks with a broomstick." An accomplished songwriter based in Atlanta, he has written songs for Dionne Farris, Rahsaan Patterson and Cree Summer, along with writing with Bootsy Collins and George Clinton. He was recently signed to Capitol Records.

RICH MCCULLEY
With more than 100 dates so far this year and national college/AAA radio airplay, Rich McCulley and his band perform energetic roots-pop songs laced with infectious harmonies, ragged guitars and a touch of country. McCulley (vocals, guitars, harp) and his band were featured on the 2003 Fairfax Music Festival, the Miles of Music/Los Angeles showcase and have opened for James McMurtry, Chris Duarte, Mike Stinson and others. McCulley was recently a featured performer on a BMI Nashville songwriter's showcase. As a working musician, McCulley has opened for acts including Dwight Yoakam and the Charlie Daniels Band while playing venues as diverse as Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, State Fairs, rodeos and the Houston Astrodome. The Nashville Scene said, "...McCulley's vocal chords sound like they've been marinating in a whiskey bath, with a 3-pack-a-day habit added. Think Tom Petty mixed with early Wilco..." and the Kansas City Pitch said, "...[Rich McCulley plays] hard-driving rock and college-radio-friendly alt-country with hooks that stick to the ribs." McCulley's current CD, "If Faith Doesn't Matter," is distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution.

BETH WATERS
Beth Waters is a singer/songwriter/pianist from San Francisco, CA. Her poignant lyrics and beautiful melodies have helped her create her own form of acoustic pop earning her comparisons to Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and Norah Jones. "...Her striking track ('Sweaters') sounds like something we'll be hearing on the radio any second now..." said Jane Magazine; "I found myself totally mesmerized..." said Score! Music Magazine; and Independent Musician Magazine said, "With smart, confessional lyrics...and a voice that hits heartbreaking falsettos 'Spun Sugar' proves to be a stellar track..." She is known for her soothing voice, emotional performances and her ability to write a contagious hook. In response to her debut EP "Don't Look Back," MTV Online said, "...Come see her before other artists start being compared to her..." In Sept. 2003 she released her second full-length album on Mermaid Mafia Records. It is a collection of 12 songs delicately produced by Michael Winger (Tim Bluhm of the Mother Hips) blending piano, voice, acoustic and electronic elements into a warm spacious sound. The album features drumming by Ben Mize of the Counting Crows, was mixed by Joel Jaffe at Studio C (Sausalito, CA) and was mastered at The Plant Mastering Studio by John Cuniberti.

FIRECRACKER
Firecracker just might be the best new band in San Francisco...if it's fair to call them a new band at all. The roots-rock five-piece spent a year and a half burning down the SF club scene as Darling Clementines, a six-member alt-country barnstorm. But as they evolved, the band's country underpinnings became more and more subtle, and the rock and pop components rose to the surface of their sound. Embracing this new direction, the band sharpened its focus and emerged as Firecracker with a self-released EP titled "Certain Things Last" (2002). Songwriters Russell Tillitt (piano/organ/vocals) and Scout (vocals/guitar) craft shimmery, rootsy pop gems about love and loss, longing and memory. The band, rounded out by bassist Gardner May, drummer Peter Craft and new guitarist Dave Strahan, brings an honesty and integrity to the songs that come across just as clearly in the studio as in live performances. Smart, evocative lyrics, hooky melodies and rhythms that range from country Train and shuffle beats to straight-ahead rock & roll create a sound that defies comparison. Steeped in old-school traditions, Firecracker succeeds in forging a new and brilliantly original path. Firecracker is currently at work on a new, full-length album, due out in March 2004.