Located on Main Street in Yalesville, Innovative Internet Marketing Solutions has created a Web site for singer Wynonna Judd, adding her to its list of other entertainers, including Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey and Kenny Loggins.

The company's creation of the Web site for the country music star resulted in an immediate skyrocketing of interest among Internet surfers, said Cyndi Benavides, director of fan relations for Judd, who is known professionally as simply Wynonna.

"Things are incredible," she said, recalling that a Wynonna fan who is hard of hearing contacted her and said he appreciated the fact that the Web site included the lyrics for songs on her newest album.

Benavides said there were thousands of hits on the site when it was introduced on the internet on May 25. That was in stark contrast to the typical day before the local company was contracted, when a paltry 100 or so hits were made on the Web site she had created.

The reason, said Benavides, was that she did not have the time nor the same expertise as IIMS staff. Benavides knew she had to find the right company to develop a popular Web site, so she browsed the Internet, looking for the proper presentation. When she came across Michael Bolton's Web site, developed by the local firm, she was impressed by its appearance.

"It was simple but classy, which is very important. What was important was how Wynonna was going to be presented," said Benavides, stressing that many sites overwhelm visitors with unnecessary information.

Speaking from her office in Franklin, Tenn., Benavides said Wynonna was intensely interested in development of the Web site and its impact on her fans. "Wynonna is involved with every stop of what I do."

The Web site offers a myriad of selections for Wynonna's fans, said Eric Mudry, project coordinator and partner of IIMS. "The opportunity to be associated with Wynonna and her organization is very exciting," he said.

One section of the site provides lyrics to every song and audio and video samples, while another allows fans to learn more about Wynonna's sister, actress Ashley, and their mother, singer Naomi, both stars in their own right.

Browsers can also shop at Wynonna's Store for albums, videos, books, photos, shirts, hats and bumper stickers. An archive with news clips starting in 1982 also is available, as well as monthly surveys to allow fans to help her choose her concert set list and vote on her next single for release.

Another offering allows visitors to join Wynonna's fan club and contribute to a bulletin board on which they can discuss her 1998 tour and their favorite Web site features. They also have access to "Wy's World," a quarterly newsletter, and monthly contests.

The site also includes information on a tour featuring Judd and Bolton this summer.

The local company has evolved into a service for entertainers, said partner Stephen Rinaldi. "We started out doing Connecticut businesses. We got lucky and met a lady who did Michael Bolton's fan club."

That connection resulted in the creation of Bolton's Web site, leading to other contracts.

Rinaldi said it took about two months to build Wynonna's Web site, adding that sites for Ashley and Naomi also are contemplated.

The site is a great way for fans to chat about their stars' tours and concerts and for entertainers to keep a pulse on what their followers are thinking, Rinaldi said. "Wynonna likes to get feedback from her fans and learn what they like to hear."

He said he is anticipating meeting Wynonna and her support staff at a concert this summer in Boston. "We've never met them face to face. She's a great lady, and she has a great voice."

Wynonna Judd's Official World Wide Web Site can be found at www.wynonna.com

Record Journal - Tuesday, June 30, 1998, By Richard Lee, Record-Journal Staff