US executives Dan Harrell, Mike Blanton and Steve Thomas form BHT Entertainment.

VETERAN Christian music executives Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton are partnering with artist manager Steve Thomas to launch a new record company BHT Entertainment. Blanton and Harrell currently run the management company Blanton, Harrell, Cooke And Corzine which amongst others manages Michael W Smith and Amy Grant while Thomas manages Jennifer Knapp, OC Supertones and Relient K. Based in the Nashville suburb of Brentwood, BHT Entertainment will be distributed by Word Distribution to Christain retail and to the general market through WEA. Plans call for three labels under the BHT umbrella. Despite a current emphasis on the song over the artist, Blanton sees this as a great time to develop new acts. "What's going to be different is the way we market. It's about presenting three or four songs that will make (consumers) want to know the artist." CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.