When Laurie Berkner embarked on her career as a children's recording artist in the summer of 1997, she started small - personally filling orders of her first release (Whaddaya Think of That?) from her living room in Manhattan while still keeping up her preschool music teaching jobs. It wasn't long, however, before the 500 copies she originally pressed sold out, and Laurie realized she was going to need some help! Longtime friend Sarah Milstein came on board and TwoTomatoes Records was born.

Laurie's growing popularity in the New York area led to a second release, 1998's Buzz Buzz. Soon more local toy stores and children's specialty shops began selling her music and distribution companies began purchasing quantities of her recordings. Sarah Milstein moved on, and shortly after the 1999 release of Victor Vito, Laurie took the bold step of hiring a publicist - also named Sarah (SKG Publicity). Things began to move more quickly thereafter, with national media coverage helping spread the word. Laurie hired Danny O' to help with computer graphics and Jonathan (a.k.a. Pants)as an assistant. Laurie then appeared on the "Today" show and suddenly Two Tomatoes was swamped with orders. She had to hire some musician friends, including Andrew the webmaster, (you can even hear him on trumpet on her CDs!) to help out.

In the meantime, Laurie's closets were becoming more and more stuffed. Two Tomatoes was taking over her living room with the 2000 re-release of her first recording on disc, and running the record label was no longer a part-time job. Laurie decided to give up her teaching to, as she put it, "reign in the monster!" After the 2001 VHS debut (Laurie Berkner's Video Songbook), Laurie, Susie and Brian increasingly found themselves on the road, performing in concerts across the country. Jonathan then segued into the role of booking agent.

In 2002, shortly before the release of Under A Shady Tree, it became clear that there was no longer enough space in Laurie and Brian's one-bedroom apartment for a record label. Jenny first joined the Two Tomatoes team as an assistant/marketing person while Laurie and Jonathan prepared to move into an upper west side office. Since then Jonathan has moved on to become CEO of Creative Alternatives (a non profit Creative Arts Therapy Centre) and Jenny has moved back to San Francisco. The office bees now include Shannon who has taken over as marketing-tour managing-run the office person, and Brooke, the office busy bee. In 2005 all the tomatoes moved. Laurie, Brian and Lucy moved into a new more spacious apartment and just one block away the office moved into its new uptown location. It's one big happy family!

If you are a retailer, please contact our Sales Department at RAZOR & TIE. Call (212) 598-2200 or visit www.razorandtie.com.