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Billboard Review's "The Promise"
There's a new boy band out to give Backstreet Boys
and N Sync a run for their money -- and their lively
pop songs and polished vocals are every bit as
engaging as the two mega-groups. Plus One is being
heralded as Christian music's entree into the whole boy
band scenario and is widely considered to be the next
big thing. Comprising Gabe Combs, Nathan Walters,
Nate Cole, Jeremy Mhire, and Jason Perry, the group
has delivered an album of solid songs and energetic,
appealing performances. In addition to 143 label head
David Foster, more than a dozen producers worked on
this album, including Buster and Shavoni, Rodney
Jerkins and Harvey Mason Jr., Dow and Brad, and
Robbie Nevil. Despite the numerous producers, there's
a smooth, cohesive feel to the project. The songs are
positive, well-written pop, many of which, like "God Is
In This Place," are overt in their Christian message.
Other standout cuts include "Written On My Heart,"
"My Friend," "Soul Tatoo," and the title track.
This is a review of "The Promise" from Amazon.com....
Amazon.com
Sure, there are more inventive or intense contemporary Christian acts out there. But as acts aspiring
to boy-band fame in the CCM market go, Plus One are the best. Their harmonies are really solid
and intricately woven together, their convictions undoubtedly heartfelt, their arrangements uplifting.
The message is as pure as the golden melodies these boys let loose. --James Conde
Chart Toppers
Following in the footsteps of ‘NSync, Backstreet Boys and
other current teen music sensations, new boy band Plus One
might appear to be about five minutes late to the popularity
party. But, according to the group’s chart-topping position at
radio and in Christian bookstores this week, Plus One’s Nate
Cole, Gabe Combs, Nathan Walters, Jeremy Mhire and
Jason Perry have arrived just in the nick of time.
After forming last summer, Plus One’s five members have
spent the past 10 months perfecting their voices, practicing
their dance steps and preparing for their new career. It all
paid off May 30 when the band members, making a
promotional appearance at a mall in Seattle, discovered their
debut CD, The Promise, sold more records its first week
than any other artist, landing them at No. 1 on the Christian
music sales chart above such names as Point of Grace and
Steven Curtis Chapman.
"We were running down the hall, and my heart was just
beating in my chest," says Mhire, reflecting on the news that
over 19,000 people had purchased The Promise. "It was an
emotional moment, but at the same time we just stopped and
grabbed each other and prayed. I don’t know if it’s hit us yet.
Everything we’ve done this past year has led up to this week,
and now here it is and it’s amazing."
The group’s first radio single, "Written on My Heart," also
rises to No. 1 on Christian adult contemporary radio on this
week’s charts. Though no one can really explain such instant
success, the members of Plus One are more concerned
about keeping their heads on straight in the midst of it.
"It’s exciting to know how much God is doing in such a short
time," says Cole. "It’s another confirmation that we’re in
God’s will. Hopefully, we’ll continue to not take that for
granted."
Maintaining that focus won’t be easy, though. The men are
already Christian music’s latest sex symbols, with excitable
teen girls doing what excitable teen girls do—screaming their
adoration and begging for tokens of love, even group
members’ water bottles. But this fivesome is taking it in stride
and praying its message will outlast the infatuation.
"Girls really respect and desire Godly qualities in guys," says
Cole. "Even girls that aren’t Christians will think that’s a neat
thing. Hopefully, after a while we’ll start influencing them."
At the same time the Plus One guys want to be careful about
who—or what—they allow to influence them.
Mhire says, "Every time we have an opportunity to sing or a
chance to minister or do an interview or whatever… [I want to]
not do it so that the audience or whoever is listening is
pleased, but that I please God because this is what He’s
blessed us with."
—April Hefner
This is from the official site:
Hey, this is Jason. I just wanted
to say thank you to all of you for
wishing me a Happy birthday
and congratulating me on
graduation... I had such an
awesome birthday, it was
great!!!! I'm finally 18!!!! YEA!!!!
Graduation was amazing as
well.. We sang at the ceremony,
( My Friend), it was such a great
moment!!!! Thank you
sooooooooo much, I love you
all!!! peace.
Jason Perry
Plus One Breaks Big
Group generates widespread consumer appeal
In a year when new artists are oozing out of A&R offices, the issue of who will
break and who will fizzle ranks high on the priority list for labels and industry alike.
Last week, 143 Records and Atlantic Christian, betting on the talent and appeal of
boy band Plus One, contributed one of those breaking acts to the Christian music
marketplace.
According to SoundScan, the groups debut album, The Promise, sold 19,057 units
overall, 18,600 in the Christian retail market alone. That debut places them at No.
1 on the "Christian Retail" chart (page 10). Though the Christian Music Trade
Association could not confirm an official record, The Promise sold 8,000 more at
Christian retail in its debut week than Caedmons Calls label debut in its first week in
1997, which set a record for a debut artist at Christian retail.
On the radio front, Plus One's first single, "Written on My Heart" (written by Eric
Foster White and Stephanie Lewis) climbs to No. 1 from No. 3 on the CH chart
and to No. 2 from No. 3 on the AC chart this week. The No. 1s, said all those
involved with The Promise, are the result of a cohesive team that committed
themselves to breaking a new act. Plus One is a joint venture between Atlantic
Christian and 143 Records, the label renowned producer David Foster founded
four years ago.
"From the very get go, Atlantic Christian made a 150 percent commitment, then
143 made a ridiculous commitment," Mitch Solarek, the groups manager, said.
"The A&R team at 143 went to the wall to make this thing happen and didn't leave
one rock unturned. William Morris [booking agency] spent an hour every week for
the past six months talking with us about Plus One." That team has "put it on the
line," Solarek said, to maximize the opportunities that have been afforded the group.
"We all made tremendous commitments that could have been painful if it didnt work
out right."
The five-member group, comprised of Nate Cole, Gabe Combs, Jason Perry,
Jeremy Mhire and Nathan Walters, matched the labels commitment, Solarek said.
"The guys have made huge sacrifices and basically have had no life for the past
year." Barry Landis, vice president/general manager of Atlantic Christian, believes
the David Foster connection was a factor in the equation, commenting that Fosters
reputation (Celine Dion, Whitney Houston), as well as his belief in the group, led to
"incredible" A&R opportunities and exposure. "He got a Rodney Jerkins cut ("Soul
Tattoo") which typically would cost around $110,000 on this album," Landis said.
"He used his network in a way that I couldnt really afford."
"David decided he wanted to be in the Christian music business," 143 President
Larry Frazin told The CCM Update. "He went out, got every A player and an A
producer to make an A album." It was Foster who called Rick Dees, host of the
nationally syndicated radio show "The Weekly Top 40" and got Plus One on the
show to sing a rendition of "America the Beautiful." The group will perform the song
during the televised portion of the National Democratic Convention on Aug. 11.
The chart successes are just the hard evidence of the consumer appeal Plus One
has generated. Numerous stories at radio and retail reinforce the fact that this band
is hitting a nerve in the Christian marketplace.
On release day of The Promise, WONU-FM/Chicago hosted a Brown Bag
evening event, which, according to Operations Manager Eric Allen, was the stations
largest-ever. The event drew 1,000 people to a local mall, some who traveled two
hours from Wisconsin and Indiana. "This was nothing we've ever seen before,"
Allen said. "We promoted the event for two weeks and immediately started getting
calls. People came with signs, girls were screaming like it was the second coming of
the Beatles." Allen said the mall stayed open an extra two hours for the group to
sign autographs. The event drew younger fans, as well as families who brought their
kids, he said. "I think they appreciate the fact that theres a Christian alternative to
Backstreet Boys and N'Sync. Plus, these guys are the real deal."
"I think weve all been so amazed at how radio plays such an important role," said
Plus Ones Jeremy Mhire. "We made a point last night to ask how people found out
about our in-store, and they said the radio station."
The group's first hard-ticket concert in Las Vegas at Canyon Ridge Christian
Church spurred the same kind of crowd response as WONUs event.
"I've done shows with Steven Curtis Chapman and dc Talk and never heard
screams like that," said Nick Ruggiero, concert promoter and concert ministry
director for Canyon Ridge. The sold-out concert in mid-May drew 1,250 people
with 500 turned away at the door; a rare feat for a new Christian act with no album
out. The radio single received no local airplay until the week of the concert,
Ruggiero said.
Using a PowerPoint presentation he constructed, Ruggiero announced the concert
at the 3,500-member church. "When I said, 'This is Christian music's answer to
N'Sync and Backstreet Boys,' the place erupted in applause. That line is what really
drew the crowd."
The record also surpassed typical new artist numbers at retail. The Promise sold
1,500 CDs in Family Christian Stores nationwide the day it released and at 3,890
units, was FCSs No. 1 selling act last week, according to Senior Music Buyer Bob
Rush.
Christian Supply Inc. in Spartanburg, S.C., sold double the stores initial order, said
Music Buyer Diane Hall. "We've been really pleased with the age span its appealing
to; anywhere from college students to early 30s." Hall attributed the stores strong
sales in part to airplay on WLFJ-FM/Spartanburg.
According to Jay Schield, director of sales and inventory management for Atlantic
Christian, some 1,200 Christian retail stores, including FCS, bought the 5-by-2
standee. "There was a 100 percent belief level from the label that there's nothing
like this in Christian music," Schield said, "and I think the stores caught that vision."
But the story has been snowballing long before the single was serviced to radio and
standees shipped to retail. Advance exposure has been key to a successful launch,
Landis and Solarek said.
The group that was selected through various casting calls has enjoyed numerous
opportunities including performances at two Los Angeles Kings games and singing
for Bloomingdales' teen magazine search. Department store chain Macy's West
was at the performance and recruited them for its back-to-school campaign in 107
stores nationwide. Plus One will be included on a CD sampler customers will
receive when they make a purchase from the juniors section. As part of the
promotion, the group will also perform at four stores.
"I think when that happened, it immediately made 143 and Atlantic Christian realize
they had something special and that the market was ready for it," Solarek said.
"From that moment, we started placing media, started seeing them show up in
magazines and reviews."
Ronn Tabb, director of promotions and marketing for Atlantic Christian, said that
Internet marketing has been another key to exposure. Atlantic has promoted the
sites URL in the groups promotional materials, as well as ads in magazines like
Brio. "We started early on driving teens to the Web site," he said. "I think a lot of
what were seeing this week comes from this kind of grass roots promotion."
In addition to the Democratic convention and the Macy's promotion, upcoming
exposure includes a slot on Jaci Velasquez 50- to 60-city fall tour; a song ("The
Promise") on the soundtrack to the Pokemon movie, slated to release in July; and a
part of Pepsi Cola's "Choose Your Sounds" current promotion. The group shot a
video for "Written on My Heart" last week that will be serviced with a Bible study
for youth groups. The second Christian radio single will most likely hit AC and CH
formats in July.
Though 143/Atlantic Christian had not originally planned to market Plus One to the
general-market, that could be changing. "Our plan was only to be in the Christian
market because [a boy band] hadn't been done there," said Jaymes Foster-Levy,
executive vice president of A&R for 143 Records. "We took the group to Atlantic
New York. They sang for all the executives and won them over. So Atlantic is
anxious to go into the pop marketplace, and they feel they can win." 143's Frazin
added that the label and Atlantic New York are putting together a game plan for a
pop market launch. "In the mainstream, its a little different because this has been
done already with resounding success. We want to come with another angle."
According to Landis, Atlantic New York "loves" the song "Last Flight Out" and is
in the process of scheduling the single for a late June or early July release to pop
radio. Currently, the entire Warner Music Group system has no boy bands.
143's Frazin stressed that the label wants to ensure that Plus One is cemented in the
Christian market. "We want to make sure there's ownership in the Christian world.
Christian youth haven't had a boy band they can call their own, and now they do."
Lindy Warren
PLUS ONE BREAKS RECORDS WITH THE PROMISE
The Promise Debuts at Number One on Christian Sales Chart, #76 on Billboard 200
(NASHVILLE, TN)-Atlantic/143 Records five-man vocal group Plus One breaks records by
selling over 19,000 units of their album The Promise in its first week, surpassing the previous
debut top sales mark held by a new contemporary Christian artist. Debuting at the number one
position on the Christian soundscan charts, The Promise also comes in at number 76 on the
Billboard 200, which ranks albums from all genres of music (Billboard, June 10, 2000).
"I'm so amazed! We started out to build a successful Christian artistry, but I had no idea we
would be accepted this well this early in the process," notes 143 Records Chairman David Foster.
"Thank you, to the entire industry."
"What a wonderful experience to not only have a good launch for a new artist, but a great
launch," agrees Atlantic Records Christian Division Vice-President and General Manager Barry
Landis. "We have an incredible team here (A&R, marketing, sales, management) that all did above
and beyond what they had to do on this project. Everybody got it!"
The album marks the first joint venture from Atlantic Records' recently formed Christian Division
and 14-time Grammy Award winner David Foster's label, 143 Records. With heavy support at
radio, the group's first single, "Written On My Heart," ranks at number one at the CHR format,
and number two on the Christian adult contemporary radio chart for the same week. Plus One
additionally continues to find strong support at media, including such pre-promotion as an
April/May cover story in Release Magazine, and a street-date appearance on the Chicago-based
WGN Morning News, which airs across the country on cable.
Beginning in mid-May, Plus One started their promotional tour with a performance at Hershey
Park in Hershey, PA, and went on to the Chicago, IL-area, where they spent street week visiting
numerous radio stations and retail outlets. The group also performed at several in-store
appearances, including a well-received visit to Northfield Mall in Bradley, IL, where a crowd of
over 1,000 fans greeted Plus One at a concert sponsored by Lemstone Christian Bookstore and
WONU radio.
"This has just been such an awesome experience," notes 18-year-old Jason Perry of Plus One, in
the midst of a banner week as he celebrated his 18th birthday on June 1 and graduated from high
school in Madison, IN, on June 4. "We are so grateful to God for everything He's given to us, and
we don't take any of it for granted. It's only by Him that we're here, and we know how blessed we
are. We're thrilled that people like our record, and relate to it."
Plus One will go on to visit nine additional states during the course of their month-long
promotional tour, with performances at each of the five group members' home churches, including
mega churches Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, CA, and Carpenter's Home Church in
Lakeland, FL. The group will also stop in San Francisco to shoot the music video for their current
hit single, "Written On My Heart," as well as continuing to visit retail and radio stations across
the country. The promotional tour will wrap up in Nashville, TN, with a performance on the Sam's
Place concert series at the historic Ryman Auditorium, hosted by television personality and artist
Gary Chapman.
Plans for 2000 include numerous summer festivals, including Spirit West Coast, Creation and
AtlantaFest, followed by a back-to-school tour with Macy's Department Stores. Plus One will
wrap up the year as special guest on Word Records/Sony Discos artist Jaci Velasquez's fall tour.
