Terri Clark goes indie, leaves BNA

"Well, it is with a little sadness, a little anxiety and a lot of excitement that I want to share some news with all of you before you hear it anywhere else," Clark told her fan club. "As you all know, I have been struggling over the past couple of years at trying to find and write songs to finish an album for BNA records. Over the course of the past few years, the record business, and radio has changed dramatically."

"I recently came to the conclusion that I no longer feel as though I can creatively "fit" into a certain "box" or model, and have come to a very difficult crossroads in making the decision to part ways with my record label, and forge ahead independently. I will always be eternally grateful to BNA records, and (label head) Joe Galante for believing in me and affording me the opportunity to work with them after leaving Mercury records. I came to Nashville when I was 18 to land a major label record deal, and I have had TWO, which is more than I could have dreamed of."

"I am making this decision for a few reasons...obviously creative reasons being number one...additionally, I would like to focus more of my energy on Canada. I feel as though being on U.S. major labels over the past 14 years has afforded me a wonderful career with the kind of longevity one dreams of, however I never felt like I had the time to focus on Canada enough. I would also like to work in other parts of the world again, like possibly Australia, and broaden my audience in other countries as well. In addition to my own creative freedom, my future can include helping other up and coming artists and possibly produce other acts under my own label."

"I know you have all been patiently waiting for a new album for awhile...well those of you who haven't found other means of obtaining advance copies (wink). We have been tracking our live shows for a few years out on the road, and the first thing on my long list of things to do, is to release a "live record." Jeff Jones (Velvet) and I have begun work on it as we speak, and hope to have it out to you in the first quarter of the new year. The CD will also contain a couple of new tracks that will be singles serviced to radio, satellite radio, and hopefully U.S. radio stations as well. My manager Clarence, and I are in talks and have several options for international distribution, and will do whatever is best to be sure my recorded music is available everywhere possible."

"I can promise you will be getting more new music from me from now on with less time in between....and I will be out on the road here in the U.S. and Canada throughout all of 2009."

"Thanks again to all of you for the undying support...I am very excited about being able to steer the ship and grab the bull by the horns, and do everything I've wanted to do now, creatively, and otherwise. Hope you are all as excited as I am."