Hear Music, the label started by Concord Music Group and Starbucks, has signed Hilary McRae as the company's first developing artist.

While the full album will not be available until spring 2008, Starbucks customers will be able to download McRae's song "Consider Me Gone" on Nov. 1 as part of Starbucks' "Download of the Day" program.

Twenty-one year old McRae is a graduate of Berklee School of Music and an accomplished songwriter and pianist. On her debut album, she collaborated with producer Zach Ziskin and Charlie Calello, whose arrangements can be found on Frank Sinatra records.

"Hilary offers the rare mix of compelling songwriting with commercial hit potential," says Starbucks Entertainment Ken Lombard, who oversees Hear Music. "We are sure our customers will see the same wonderful potential we see in her."

As far as the future of the label, Lombard says the goal is to release records by eight artists in the next year, but all of the signings remain under wraps for the time being.

Among the veteran artists aligned with Hear Music are Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor.