Five For Fighting and Wind-up Records...the REAL story

I'm sure all of you have heard by now that Five For Fighting left Columbia Records for Wind-up Records. When I first heard the news, it was quite a shock, but I had an inkling beforehand that something wasn't quite right. Most noticeable to me, the Five For Fighting MySpace page seemed to be sorely neglected. Not a lot of news there, comments not being posted...the last one was NOVEMBER! Less obvious was the fact that a second single hadn't been released from the Slice album. I mean, the first single, Chances was released in JULY 2009! That's an awful long time to have nothing new on the charts!

My first indicator that there was a change was in the form of an email from Wind-up Records to sign up for their Five For Fighting newsletter. This was before anything official had come out, so I emailed my contact at Aware Records to inquire about the Wind-up request. I got my answer soon enough when a message from John appeared at the Five For Fighting website the following week.

Friends,

Last week an e-mail went out asking you all to re-up for the e-mail list. As there was a bit of confusion I wanted to let you know about a few changes. After a great 10 year run I am no longer with Columbia Records. I'm pleased to announce a new home at Wind-up Records. Wind-up will be re-releasing Slice and going to radio with the title track "Slice" this July.

In the big picture nothing has changed. It's all good in Five For Fighting land and please re-sign up for the e-mail list here so we can keep you in the loop on touring and various projects going forward.

As always I appreciate your support and energy...

Thanks

John

There it was...John was no longer with Columbia. But, the question was...why? Did he have some sort of falling out with the label? Did they not see eye to eye on things anymore? Were they displeased with John's latest album? Does John take too long to write and release albums? Was Columbia not supporting John's efforts as well as they could be? Why would John move from a big established label like Columbia to...Wind-up Records? For those in Five For Fighting Land, it was cause for worry, despite John's assurances to the contrary.

Well, the real story didn't come out...until July 9th during John's first live video web chat. One of the questions I submitted for the chat pertained to Five For Fighting's move to Wind-up. I was hoping John would enlighten us with the details. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to wonder the same thing because it was John's opening topic when the chat started. The reason for the break-up was a lot simpler than expected. But, first, here's a little background on the relationship between Aware and Columbia.

Back in 1997, Aware Records contracted with Columbia Records to provide them with unsigned musical talent in exchange for having Columbia provide distribution and marketing. It worked out so well, they renewed their contract in 2002. As we all know, one of the artists benefiting from this business relationship was Five For Fighting. Well, as often happens, all good things must sometimes come to an end. And, as John explained during the July 7th chat, Aware and Columbia decided to part ways this year. John stated that this now basically made him a free agent. Even though his connection to Aware will continue, he was free to choose his own record distribution company. For John, it was a pretty simple decision, for he already had a connection at Wind-up.

Never heard of Wind-up Records? Neither had I. When I got that first initial email from the company, I visited their website for information. Turns out that Wind-up is the biggest independently owned record company in the world! And, they represent artists such as Creed, Hawthorne Heights, Evanescence and Finger Eleven. As for John's reason for choosing Wind-up...he has a friend working there. His buddy Gregg Wattenberg is a senior vice-president of A & R...that would be artists and repetoire...at Wind-up. Not only that, he produced Five For Fighting's America Town album, as well as singles 100 Years and Chances. Oh, and Gregg won a Grammy for cowriting Daughtry's hit, It's Over, and co-produced Train's awesome #1 single, Hey, Soul Sister! Sounds to me like John will be in good company! Best of luck to John at Wind-up Records and may his new single Slice burn up the charts!