I pass on the following press release without comment due to a severely bitten tongue
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CONCORD MUSIC GROUP ACQUIRES CELEBRATED
AMERICAN ROOTS LABEL ROUNDER RECORDS
Acquisition Firmly Establishes the Combined Entity as the
World?s Preeminent Independent Music Company
Los Angeles, CA - April 14th, 2010 - The Concord Music Group today
announced the acquisition of storied Massachusetts-based independent
music label Rounder Records. Rounder, celebrating its 40th year as the
world?s leading American roots music label, is a major force in a broad
range of musical genres including bluegrass, Americana,
singer-songwriter, Cajun & Zydeco and children?s music. Rounder
possesses an extraordinary recorded catalog and current artist roster
including bluegrass superstar Alison Krauss, singer-songwriter Mary
Chapin Carpenter, banjo virtuoso B?la Fleck, actor/musician Steve
Martin, jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux, the iconic Robert Plant, notable
children?s artist/activist Raffi and country legend Willie Nelson, to
name just a few. The acquisition of Rounder and its essential
collection of over 3,000 masters combined with Concord Music Group?s
rich catalog of more than 10,000 master recordings strengthens
Concord?s status as one of the world?s most significant independent
record companies, with a leadership position in multiple genres.
Rounder?s creative and marketing functions will continue to be based in
Boston and its owners and founders Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian
Leighton Levy will remain active with the company in a creative and
advisory capacity. The company?s senior management will also remain in
place: John Virant will continue as the President of Rounder; Sheri
Sands will stay on as General Manager. Operating synergies will be
achieved by combining the sales, administrative and support functions
of the two companies.
Rounder, founded in 1970 by Cambridge folkies, Irwin, Nowlin, and
Leighton Levy, has been at the center of nearly all of the American
roots revivals that have reshaped the music world in the last 40
years. The self-titled 1975 record by J.D. Crowe and the New South
(featuring future stars Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice and Jerry Douglas)
revitalized bluegrass and inspired such modern superstars as Rounder?s
own Alison Krauss, who is the most decorated female artist in the
history of the Grammy? Awards and has also sold over eight million
albums and DVDs. Her collaboration with Led Zeppelin front-man Robert
Plant on the album Raising Sand emerged as one of 2007?s major critical
and word-of-mouth sales success stories. The album was RIAA certified
platinum in early 2008 and won five Grammy? Awards including Album and
Record of the Year in 2009. An unequaled leader in the preservation
and re-release of precious historic recordings, Rounder has brought the
music of Jelly Roll Morton, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, the Carter
Family, Jimmie Rodgers and Mississippi John Hurt back to vibrant life.
In addition, their dazzling work on the epic anthologies from the
Library of Congress and the Alan Lomax Collection has been universally
respected and admired.
Glen Barros, President and CEO of the Concord Music Group, said, ?The
combination of Concord and Rounder makes so much sense on a creative,
strategic and cultural level. With the addition of Rounder, Concord is
gaining a magnificent catalog of recordings, the opportunity to work
with more of the world?s most amazing artists and a company filled with
some great people. Plus, Rounder?s uncompromising commitment to
authenticity and intense independent spirit is perfectly in line with
everything that Concord is about.?
Norman Lear, Concord Music Group Chairman and co-owner added, ?We
couldn?t be more honored to join together with Rounder in our
collective mission to deliver great, timeless music.?
Marian Leighton Levy, co-Rounder Founder, concurs and adds, ?For us,
it?s always been about the music. We have long been aware of Concord?s
commitment to great catalogue labels within a vibrant and contemporary
independent context, and feel the Concord Records Group provides not
only a great home for our music and artists, but also a stronger and
more secure position going forward.?
John Virant, President of Rounder, said ?We?ve always been the little
label that could, and our new affiliation with Concord ? another
fiercely independent organization that shares our core values --
ensures that we can remain true to our central calling: discovering
and nurturing quality musical talent.?
About Concord Music Group:
Concord Music Group is one of the largest independent record and music
publishing companies in the world and is owner of a rich and
historically significant catalog of recordings. Concord Music Group?s
legendary family of labels include Concord Records, Concord Jazz,
Fantasy, Stax, Milestone, Riverside, Specialty, Telarc, Peak, Heads Up,
Prestige and several others. They include titles from some of the most
admired and enduring names in music, including Ray Charles, John
Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald,
Isaac Hayes, Little Richard, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, Rosemary
Clooney, George Shearing and Mel Torme. The group?s current roster of
world-class artists includes George Benson, Chick Corea, Kurt Elling,
Will Downing, Kenny G, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sergio Mendes,
Esperanza Spalding, Macy Gray, Angie Stone and many more. In 2007,
Concord partnered with Starbucks Entertainment to form Hear Music, an
innovative record label rooted in quality, authenticity and passion.
Hear Music works directly with artists, both emerging and established,
to bring quality music to the widest possible audience, in both
Starbucks locations and music retailers worldwide. Hear Music releases
include records from Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, John
Mellencamp, Elvis Costello and Playing For Change.
