Cindy Bullens Kicks It Up Again For Artemis

Cindy Bullens recorded the rock'n'roll album that she's always wanted to make with Neverland, due Sept. 25 from Artemis Records. "I strapped on the electric, baby, and you couldn't hold me back," she says. "There's a balance of good, meaningful songs and jump-off-the-piano, guitar-between-your-legs rock, which is also very much who I am."

That side of Bullens has not been evident for quite some time, and the singer/songwriter admits that it was difficult at first to return to rock'n'roll following the deeply personal tone of 1999's Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth. That album served as a tribute to her daughter, Jessie, who died of cancer at the age of 11 in 1996.

But by the middle of 2000, Bullens, a longtime Maine resident, got the "internal itch" to begin writing again. What emerged was a reflective yet forward-looking project that also includes first-time takes on songs Bullens wrote before her daughter passed away. One highlight is the title track, which features a thought-provoking chorus and background vocals from Steve Earle. That song acts as a bridge between Bullens' last album and this one, as does "Gravity & Grace" and "Send Me an Angel," which includes vocals from Emmylou Harris.

Bullens began work on Neverland four years after Jessie's death. "There are times when I see black, when I get so down. [With Neverland] I wanted to remind myself to not go there."

A more carefree side to Bullens is captured on such tracks as "Baby I Want Your Love," penned in the mid-'90s. The song's blues lick and growly vocal style were created one summer night in Bullens' bedroom purely on a whim. It's "a sex song basically," she says. "I didn't think much of it other than an exercise of just writing a fun song. I started playing it live before Jessie died. My band loved it."

Other pre-Somewhere songs, such as "Hammer & Nails" (a hit for Radney Foster now featuring backing vocals by John Hiatt), "Driving My Heart Around," and "Sensible Shoes," are published by Mommy's Geetar Music (BMI), while her newer work is published by Second Bridge Music (ASCAP). (Bullens is managed by Nashville-based Dan Gillis.)

Artemis chairman/CEO Danny Goldberg says his label is emotionally connected to Bullens as both an artist and a person, in large part because she was the first act the 3-year-old company signed. (Bullens debuted with 1979's Desire Wire on United Artists. Later discs came via Casablanca, MCA, and her own label, Blue Lobster.)

The title track goes to triple-A radio Sept. 10, and Artemis will later aim for the AC format. That strategy should work strongly in Bullens' favor, says Tim Moore, PD/operations manager of WHOM (AC) and WJBQ (top 40) in Portland, Maine. "Her stronghold is triple-A. But AC is always looking for good songs. There are several on this CD that could qualify. Cindy sounds great, and the lyrics are tremendous."

Strong press will be key for the project at retail, adds Craig Burnaugh, a buyer for Tower Records in Nashville. Artemis has hired the New York City-based Karpel Group to organize listening parties and handle lifestyle marketing in 15 cities.