It Takes More

Mark Wills new release is on former Sony Music and Clint Black's Equity Music exec Mike Kraski's label Tenacity Records. It arrived with a letter setting forth Tenacity's mission:

"Quality. Great songs. Great singers. No agenda beyond top shelf music and artistry."

Best of luck with it, Mark and Mike. If everyone in Music City adopted that approach, promotion would take a lot less tenacity.

Mark Wills: Great Advice + Strong New Music Too

Check his MySpace page and see if you don't agree with me that his new Equity project sounds very radio-friendly. Meanwhile, today's Tennessean has a quick Q&A with Wills too, and he has some wonderful life guide quotes, reported by writer Heather Byrd:

HB: What's the best advice you have ever received?

MW: Remain true to yourself, so no one can ever say that you've become something you're not.

HB: If you could share the stage with any other artist, living or dead, who would it be?

MW: It's a tie between Conway Twitty and Keith Whitley.

HB: What do you find most inspiring about your music?

MW: The effect songs like "Don't Laugh at Me" have on people. Many teachers have told me that they play that song for their students because it teaches tolerance. The song "19 Somethin'" seems to connect with people because it lets them reminisce about their childhood.

HB: What's next for your musical career?

MW: I want to keep trying new things. Singing new songs that aren't like anything I've done in the past. Always trying to push myself to new heights.