Music industry veteran Barry Blair has announced the launch of Tonecrash Records, a ministry-focused label with the goal of developing young independent artists.

In his career Blair has won Dove Awards, received GRAMMY nominations and has been part of several No. 1 radio singles as an artist, producer and songwriter. As a founding member of the band Audio Adrenaline, he performed on and co-wrote many of the band's early radio singles, including the No. 1 song “Big House” and the GRAMMY-nominated album Bloom.

“Tonecrash Records seemed to be the next step in my career after working with so many great independent bands in the last few years,” Blair said. “I really felt that I have a good sense of what was going on in the independent world of Christian music and could help a few bands to further their ministry.”

Tonecrash Records' first signing is rock foursome Two Empty Chairs. The band's national debut, Brighter Day, will be available April 3 and will be distributed through Infinity Music Distribution.

Marketing for the label will be provided by Randy Maricle and the retail marketing division of Maricle Management Group. Maricle comes to Tonecrash from Wellspring Christian Book Center in Louisville, Ky., where he was general manager and music buyer. While there, he also provided artist management for Across The Sky (Word) and Palisades (Fervent). Last August, the Wellspring stores were sold to Berean.