Joe Bonamassa's Label Leverages Facebook and Other Social Networking Sites to Increase Fanbase and Break Artists

LOS ANGELES, July 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Blues-rock guitar hero, singer-songwriter and Billboard's #1 Blues Artist Joe Bonamassa released his "Infinity" Lithograph last week. The fourth edition in an on-going series of high quality lithograph images commemorating his career, the "Infinity" was limited to 100 prints and sold out in less than four hours, the fasted print to sell yet. J&R Adventures, Bonamassa's label and management company, has held back one lithograph which will be given away to one lucky fan in a contest ending July 8, 2011. With a retail price of $399, the lithograph includes the frame along with two tickets, valued at $200, and two meet and greet passes to meet Joe and attend a concert of the buyer's choice, anywhere in the world. Fans can enter the sweepstakes on Joe Bonamassa's official Facebook page. The winner will be announced in the July 15 Newsletter. Fans can also download the single from Joe's latest album "Dust Bowl" here.

What sets the Bonamassa Lithograph Collection apart is the attention to detail Bonamassa himself has paid to the project. Each print in this collection was hand-selected and personally hand-signed by Bonamassa and includes a certificate of authenticity ensuring the quality and collectable nature of each individual piece. It was vital to both Bonamassa and J&R Adventures to take a hands-on approach to the project in order to ensure the best possible product was being released to fans.

J&R Adventures, founded by Bonamassa and longtime manager Roy Weisman, sees the lithograph series as another way the company has vertically integrated its business to meet the needs of the artist and the fans. The company prides itself on its ability to diversify and stay nimble in the ever-changing music industry landscape. Since its inception, J&R has been able to combine customary label operations with artist management, album production and mastering, merchandising, publishing, licensing and concert promotion – all under one roof. Through these methods, J&R has also been able to give control to its artists, allowing the artists to work hand-in-hand with the label to achieve their shared vision.

The sold-out "Infinity" lithograph and contest comes hot on the heels of the June 14 release of Black Country Communion's sophomore album "2". BCC is Bonamassa's hard rock band with bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater).

Concurrently, J&R Adventures is running a contest inviting fans to spread the word about BCC's live shows. Fans can use their iPhones, Androids, Blackberrys, compact digital cameras, etc. to capture BCC's summer shows and post the footage on their personal YouTube channel. "These contests and social networking platforms allow us to connect with our fanbase and increase artist awareness. This kind of integration is required to maintain success in today's constantly changing record industry," explains Weisman.

Bonamassa's latest solo album "Dust Bowl" (J&R Adventures) was released March 22 to an abundance of critical acclaim. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart and #37 on Billboard's Top 200 Chart, making it his highest-selling and chart-ranking US debut to date. The Orange County Register said Joe is "unquestionably among our greatest living guitarists, destined to be counted among the greatest of all-time."

To view all Lithographs in the series:

http://jbonamassa.com/jbgallery/

Come see what everyone is talking about: www.jbonamassa.com and www.bccommunion.com

SOURCE J&R Adventures