Sun Studio goes online with award winning site

" We think people will be pleased with what we're doing. It's about the music. "

By Ross Gohlke

The legendary Sun Studio, located at one of the most famous addresses in rock 'n' roll history, has a new address - on the Internet.

Sun Studio will physically still reside at 706 Union Ave. in Memphis. But now anyone around the world can get a sense of the studio's magic by visiting the award-winning web site at http://www.sunstudio.com.

And true to the spirit of the studio that launched rock 'n' roll through such greats as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and many more, the web site features a way for musicians to advertise their performances, seek work and buy, sell or trade instruments. Sun Studio also will be seeking new acts for its 706 Records label.

In addition to the Musicians' Exchange, the Sun Studio web site also features:

• The Revolution, which tells the story of Sun Studio from the beginning through today, with a new chapter every month.
• Cool Logo Stuff, which offers Sun Studio merchandise for sale, with both the traditional logo and the new "Bad Bird" design.
• Releases, which features new releases from 706 Records and other independent labels from around the world.
• Cool Links, which includes some of Sun Studio's favorite web sites.

"Sun Studio's name is so well known among music lovers, that we thought making a web site that had useful information on it, like a bulletin board where musicians could trade names or buy or sell instruments, was a no-brainer. It makes too much sense," said John Sullivan, marketing director. " We think people will be pleased with what we're doing. It's about the music."

Sun Studio, which was opened in 1950 by Sam Phillips, remains a working studio. In the past few years, such acts as U2, Ringo Starr, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt and many others have recorded there. Sun Studio is actively seeking new artists to record. Information on how to submit a demo tape is available on the web site.

"706 Records is small, but our location, and the studio we record in, is conducive to making music that has that weird Memphis groove," Sullivan said. "There are lots of good ghosts in that room. Since the studio is known for being the first real 'alternative music' studio, we decided to work with that style of music again. We are looking for bands that have an original style, bands that don't really sound like any one else. And once we sign them, we want to keep them happy, and treat them fair."

And even though the site has only been up a week, it already is winning awards. Pro Video has named Sun Studio's site its Web Site of the Month. Pro Video (at http://www.soundwave.com) will highlight Sun Studio's site for the next month.