CMT News

"Your Love Amazes Me" singer John Berry and Capitol Records have amicably parted ways at Berry's request. Berry is the second artist this summer to be granted a release from his contract with the label. Tanya Tucker sued Capitol last month for $300,000 after splitting with the company. Berry's new album, Better Than A Biscuit, was due to hit stores early next month. It is uncertain if the album will be picked up elsewhere, though the singer has reportedly received several inquiries from other labels interested in negotiating a new deal. Berry, quite cryptically, explained he was "looking for new input and challenges" in a news release, but observers believe Berry left Capitol over the label's attention to Garth Brooks. Even before Tucker departed the label, there had been several publicized accounts of the extravagant amount of promotional money and staff time currently being funneled towards Brooks--Capitol's primary record seller. Like Tucker, Berry apparently believes it's better to cut ties and start anew rather than stay where he's not fully appreciated.