STEPHENSON, PART II

One of the biggest issues for DreamWorks was what to say when questions began to be raised about why Stephenson isn’t doing all the promotional activities that normally accompany an album launch.

After consulting with Stephenson’s family and doctors, it was decided that honesty about his illness was the best course, with hopes that the media will not sensationalize the matter, said Bryn Bridenthal, head of publicity for Geffen Records.

Lenny Waronker, a principal partner of DreamWorks Records, acknowledges that it makes for a big challenge in terms of promoting the record--though he says that it was clear to him when Berg first played him the album last year that he wanted to release it regardless of those commercial concerns.

“My feeling all along is that this was one of those rare records that is so special that it needs to come out,” says Waronker. “It’s more important to put the record out and have an association with Carl--a record-maker whose skills rival any I’ve ever heard--than worry about the marketing of a record. It’s too special.”

To those close to the matter, it’s a victory just that Stephenson is allowing the record to be released. For much of the time since the onset of his illness, he did not want it out at all.

“The best news is that the first time Jed played it on KROQ he also spent several minutes talking about how he loved the record and how talented Carl was, and Carl happened to hear it,” Berg says. “It was a wonderful epiphany for him, and already it’s a catalyst for him to create and record again.

“There is a book to be written about the release of this record--Lenny and I joke about that. So far it has a very happy ending.”