Mike Varney: Sharpnel Records goes Drupal to deliver a digital future

Shrapnel Records, founded by Mike Varney in 1980 at the age of 22 as the United States' first dedicated heavy metal label, later becoming the record label that started the shred guitar movement, has launched a new web site at http://www.shrapnelrecords.com. Hundreds of tracks are available from Shrapnel Records, Blues Bureau International and Tone Center. The downloadable Shrapnel music collection has been mastered for audiophiles at super-high 320kbps quality MP3 format, free of DRM nuisances. The Shrapnel catalog features the world's finest guitarists in the progressive metal, neo-classical guitar, jazz/fusion and blues guitar genres. Individual tracks as well as whole albums can besampled and downloaded. If theusers wish, they can also purchase tracks using iTunes, Amazon or purchase physical CD’s directly from the website.

Shrapnel Records
Shrapnel was at the forefront of the neo-classical electric guitar and shred movements in the 1980's. It as was the first label to bring renowned guitarists to world attention such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Marty Friedman ( Megadeth), Jason Becker (David Lee Roth), Paul Gilbert ( Mr. Big ), Racer X, Tony MacAlpine ( Steve Vai) , Vinnie Moore ( UFO), Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen ( Poison, Mr. Big ) and many others.

Blues Bureau International
Founded in 1991, Blues Bureau International is a label that has focused its attention on the bluesrock genre, owing more to 70's arena guitar icons than rootsy acoustic blues. Through the years the label has recorded many great artists including Pat Travers, Rick Derringer and Leslie West as well as records by other rock blues artists such as Indigenous, Eric Gales, Chris Duarte, Stoney Curtis Band, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple ), Neal Schon, The Outlaws, and Joe Louis Walker.

Tone Center
Tone Center is dedicated to recording high level, jazz, jazz/rock and fusion music. The roster is made up of some the most well known and respected names in the instrumental jazz/rock/fusion world. The catalog contains performances by legendary guitarists Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Bill Connors, Steve Khan, Robben Ford and Greg Howe, among many others.

Shrapnel Records continues to be the home of the metal guitar hero.

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