My daughter Francesca Berlin has her debut single released on 7th August 2006. Moon Records UK are running a competition (with the approval of MoneyAM) in which you have to predict at what number "Colours Faded" will be in the charts for the week ending 13th August 2006. The Official Charts for the week are announced on 13th August. "Colours Faded" is a 2 track single and the full charts are numbers 1 - 200. As there could be lots of entries the tie breaker is what number will "Colours Faded" be in the Download Charts (1 - 100).

Please enter by just stating say 45 (38) (45 being for Singles Charts and 38 being for Download Charts) Its easy and its a bit of fun. First prize is 250.00 of which 125.00 is sent on the winners behalf to the Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund. The Winner gets the other 125.00 plus a signed copy of "Colours Faded". MoneyAm are offering a years free subscription to Shares Magazine including a years Premier MoneyAM access which is worth 123.00 to the top three entries. The second and third closest enntries will also recieve a signed copy of "Colours Faded".

My plan is to get "Colours Faded" in the charts by selling via by pre-ordering. We have the ability, via our on-line distributor, to sell via pre-orders and all of these sales will count towards our chart position in week one. If we can sell 3,500 at one week prior to release date we will have a major story to take the media.

Its almost impossible to get a record label deal in UK and so I formed my own record label (Moon Records UK) for the purpose of self release of Francesca's music. The song is titled "Colours Faded" and is about Eva Cassidy. We are working hard to get "Colours Faded" in the Top 40 with no record plugger, no record contract, no video, no national distribution, no radio play and no national press coverage. Its sounds impossible but with your help and the help of our existing fan base it could happen.

The on-line price is 77p per track. There are 3 alternate versions also for sale. If you buy all 4 the cost is 3.08 and all of the 4 sales will count to the charts. The B side is Stronger and that's also 77p.

To buy "Colours Faded" 2 Track Single please click Buy Colours Faded (2 Track Single)

To buy the 3 alternate versions of "Colours Faded" (acoustic, rhodes mix and original demo) please click Buy Colours Faded (Alternate Versions)
or
http://www.moonrecords.co.uk

Recent Press coverage on Francesca.
http://www.oaksite.co.uk/inspiration.html (Katie Melua and Francesca Berlin)
http://www.bcmchess.co.uk/ (Chess and Francesca)

If you would like to download a 50 second preview of the track, please click this link Colours Faded Preview

Finally, from release date "Colours Faded" is to be stocked by HMV (they have been great). Please call your local branch or click here for delivery to your door http://www.hmv.co.uk just enter Francesca Berlin in search.

We are also on iTunes and Napster from release date.

Have fun with the competition.

Competition will close at Midnight 10th August 2006 (as amended)

Howard

Is that all that is needed? Probably worth you doing that Howard. Would doubtless make your money back.

Isaac

The amount varies week by week. It can be 25,000 - 100,000.

You cant buy loads because it is called "chart manipulation". The Charts company have very sofisticated computer systems to spot this. We have told all our fans 1 purchase (can be up to 5 tracks) per person via download.

HMV are stocking this from release date (actual single). If anyone wants to phone their local HMV for a copy that would be great assistance to us.

Tried to listen to the sample earlier. Sounded good for the two seconds before it crashed and jammed my computer. Probably something wrong on my computer. Will have another go later once markets closed.

As for manipulation yes I'm sure nobody does it. There is absolutely no manipulation in the stock market as well as that is also against the rules ;)

LOL

"Chart manipulation", we would not want to do that would we ;-)

Seriously, for download sales its has to be one person for one purchase of Colours Faded (although that purchase can be for all 5 different tracks available). Of course, please please, if there are two adults in the house then they can buy 2 x 5 (different versions).

As for the purchase in HMV it should not be more that 2 per person otherwise the chart company will delete these sales and could ban us.

Spaceman lol

Also, and it costs 1.50 (77p as against download)

you can pre order via SMS Text Message. Its really cool how this works

To order text

Francesca to 81330 you get Colours Faded (single version)
Francesca 1 to 81330 Colours Faded (acoustic)
Francesca 2 to 81330 Coloured Faded (rhodes mix)
Francesca 3 to 81330 Coloured Faded (original demo)
Francesca Stronger to 81330 Stronger (B Side)

You have to leave a space between Francesca and 1 etc.

Howard, understood


but it would be fun if we could manipulate it a bit wouldnt it ;-)

:-) we would get caught out for certainty.

However, what we have done is to use the chart rules to maximise our sales. Recent changes say you can have alternate versions of the lead track (Colours Faded) and so one person can buy the 4 versions and that counts as 4 sales to Download Charts and and 4 to Combined Single Charts.

Spaceman: Is there a level2 for Chart Sales:-)

Bully, LOL there should be...

Bully,

If you and Mrs Bully and the little bullies buy "Colours Faded" thats not chart manipulation.

As for Level2 for charts I understand that Ruth has some been working on 5 day moving averages for Colours Faded and her prediction was based on that!

Latest News is that we are now on HMV central computer.

For purchase of "Colours Faded" delivery to your door 2.49 inclusive of postage
please click http://www.hmv.co.uk and enter Francesca Berlin.

can i have 96 and 25 pse.[random guesses]
i have poor musical tastes and wouldnt know a good tune if it bit me on the bum so wdik.
good luck with the song
Alex

Can I have 87 and 31 please Howard.(also random guess) Also I'd like to wish your daughter every sucess with her single. Finally Myfanwy Townsend Melanoma Research Fund is a very good cause and I'll state now that should I win I wish all the prize money the entire 250 to go to this very good cause.

Also your now also on http://www.ukmusic.com/forum/new-artists/francesca-berlin-colours-faded-41755.html

I'll go for 25 and 12 - you lot are soooooo pessimistic.

Best of luck!
Al
;-))

explosive

Thanks, thats a generous offer!!

However, I really would like whoever wins to take the 125.00 and have a great meal out. The charity are really delighted with anything that comes there way. I would say with regard the charity its not just the case of raising money its also about making people aware of Melanoma. Currently there is no cure.

The guy who runs this charity name is Harry Townsend. Sadly, he lost his dear wife to Melanoma and has now devoted his life to this charity. He is 69. Next year he has a 7 7 70 challenge. Thats 7 challenges in 7 continents at the age of 70. Climbing mountains, walking in a desert as examples. You can look this guy up on the internet via google search.

There is an important international chess competition in London during Francesca's release week. Its the annual Staunton International.

We are very much hoping to hear in the next few days that Francesca will be invited to make the opening move of the tournament. Seems its under discussion with the tournament organisers. In case anyone is wondering whats the link with chess and Francesca its because Francesca won the British Girls Under 12 Chess championships in 2000.

Its 4 weeks to release date. The key to a high chart number is getting pre-orders.
Can everyone please help as much as possible. Its 77p a track.

The quick link to order the 2 Track single is
Buy Colours Faded (2 Track Single)

Fo the 3 alternate mixes
Buy Colours Faded (Alternate Versions)

Latest update is that Francesca has been asked to make the draw for the Staunton Memorial Chess Tournament at The Simpsons in London on 13th August.