New Rocketown signing Alathea (pronounced ah-LAY-thee-uh) recently put the finishing touches on their Rocketown Records' debut, What Light Is All About. Produced by Michael Aukofer (Phil Keaggy, Mitch McVicker) and engineered by Russ Long (Sixpence None the Richer, Steve Taylor), the album is slated for a March 4, 2003 street date. Alathea's first single, "Faithful One," is set to go for adds on Christian Adult Contemporary, Inspirational and CHR stations January 20.

What Light is All About aptly represents the warmth and thoughtfulness of these three personable women. The group's self-described "Popalachian" music is acoustic in nature, as the songs offer an array of eclectic influences and instrumentation that reflect the group's Appalachian roots and diverse musical tastes. "What Light is All About is not just a random collection of songs," says the group. "These songs tell the simple story of our lives, sung out as creatively and honestly as we know how to be. From the images and instrumentation to the recording and photography, we tried to keep everything true to the passion of the songs and their setting in the mountains of East Tennessee."

Internet retailer Grassrootsmusic.com notes, "Through intimate verse and intricate execution, these three young women expose their souls and invite us to join with them as we meander the recesses of their fears, doubts and infinite hope."

After participating in a Provident Music Distribution sales showcase in December, the group will be conducting an advance promo tour in January and February to be better introduced to retailers and radio programmers. The tour will see them travel to major markets in the Midwest and South, as well as a West Coast trip that will see them play several dates with Rocketown label-mate Shaun Groves.

Alathea will also play a release date event in Nashville with Chris Rice on March 4, 2003. The event will be held at Michael W. Smith's pioneering teen club, Rocketown, and will include special guests from more than a dozen radio stations who will be flown in to attend the event. Further spring touring plans will be announced soon.

What Light is All About will see an aggressive new-artist intro price of $11.99 and share end-cap display space with Rice's new album, as both projects share the March 4th release date. Rocketown will also employ the work of a viral marketing company as well as street team promotion in college markets the group has played.

"Alathea has given us a fantastic head start in building a bigger and broader platform for their music," said Rocketown's Vice President of Marketing Dave Palmer. "Through five years of full-time touring they have learned how to win over a crowd one person at a time. Their tremendous work ethic and commitment to their craft has paved the way for us to run the marathon required in developing new artists. They also have more charm than any three people should have; once you meet Alathea, you love them."

For more information on Alathea, see www.alathea.com or www.rocketownrecords.com.

Grammy Award-winner Michael W. Smith and former Reunion Records A&R chief Don Donahue started Rocketown Records in 1996 with the goal of building a label around a foundation of great songs and a family atmosphere. Since its launch, Rocketown has garnered commercial and critical acclaim with more than 2.5 million units sold, 22 No. 1 songs and nearly 40 Dove Award nominations, including New Artist of the Year nominations for four of the six new artists the label has introduced.