successful record label distributor, who renamed the label Alshire (based in Los Angeles) and moved recording to London. Sherman retained Miller as a partner to oversee production and A&R. The Alshire era is characterized by large-scale expansion of product, attempts to branch out to younger markets and beginning in 1969, eventual stagnation (although late efforts by Les Baxter and Nelson Riddle were released under the 101 name in 1970's). Output decreased from 1974 on. A tribute to John Lennon (composed of earlier Beatle tribute material – 101 Strings play Hits written by The Beatles) in January 1981 marked the final 101 Strings effort. Many 101 Strings albums are simply orchestrated versions of pop hits and show tunes, although the early Somerset material contains many examples of the exotica and lounge genres. East of Suez (1959), In a Hawaiian Paradise (1960), and Songs of the Seasons in Japan (1964) are three such albums. 101 Strings Play the Blues (1958) and Back Beat Symphony were early experiments in symphonic-pop hybridization, while Fly Me to the Moon (1961) contains five noir-ish originals. Alshire releases include ‘Now Sound’ albums such as The Sounds and Songs of the Jet Set (1965), Sounds of Today (1967), and Astro-Sounds from Beyond the Year 2000 (1969), the last of which has been frequently sampled by electronic music artists of the 1990s and 2000s (decade). Current Ownership The current owner is Countdown Media (a subsidiary of BMG Rights Management). Sales In the 24 years of their existence, 101 Strings sold over 50,000,000 records worldwide. Chart hits The orchestra had five hit albums in the UK, including one number one. Gypsy Campfires (1958) #9 The Soul of Spain (1958) #17 Ferde Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite (1958) #10 Down Drury Lane to Memory Lane (1960) #1 Morning Noon and Night #32 Discography 101 Strings in a Hawaiian Paradise (1960) 101 Strings in a Symphony for Lovers 101 Strings Play and Sing the Songs Made Famous by Olivia Newton-John 101 Strings Play Songs of Faith 101 Strings Play the Blues (1958) 101 Strings Play the Hit Songs from Rodgers and Hart "Pal Joey" and Victor Herbert's "The Red Mill" 101 Strings Play the Sugar & Spice of Rudolph Friml 101 Strings Play the World's Great Standards 101 Strings Play Victor Herbert Favorites Award Winning Scores from the Silver Screen Back Beat Symphony A Bridal Bouquet The World's Most Beautiful Wedding Songs Broadway