EMI MUSIC TO DISTRIBUTE WELK MUSIC GROUP

Welk Music Group, which includes such prestigious record labels as Vanguard, Sugar Hill and Ranwood, has entered into a distribution and sales agreement with EMI Music for digital and physical sales as well as worldwide distribution. In addition, EMI will provide licensing and synchronization services on a non-exclusive basis to Welk’s roster of artists.

Welk Music Group is home to both Vanguard Records and Sugar Hill Records. Vanguard Records’ current roster includes Greg Laswell, Shawn Mullins, Mindy Smith, Nellie McKay and The Band’s Levon Helm, with a catalog that features Joan Baez, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Buddy Guy and Mississippi John Hurt, Vanguard continues to pursue its successful artistic vision.

Sugar Hill Records, the preeminent roots music label, includes Kasey Chambers, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush, The Duhks, Gibson Brothers, Sarah Borges and Nickel Creek, the innovative bluegrass trio who have a combined sales of over two million units with their first three albums.

Over the years, Welk’s group of owned and distributed labels feature an eclectic artist roster ranging from American music icons such as Dolly Parton, Rodney Crowell and George Jones; contemporary artists Linda Ronstadt, Joan Osborne, Sinead O’Connor, Robert Cray and Blues Traveler, and emerging talent such as Matt Nathanson, Indigenous, Carbon Leaf, The Alternate Routes, Pictures and Sound and distributed artists such as Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters, Taylor Hicks and Hootie and the Blowfish.

Said Welk Music Group President Kevin Welk: “EMI offers us unique, seamless, global reach, and allows us to tap into their strong relationship network with physical and digital partners around the world. Their bold moves to transform its business will serve our labels and our artists well as we work to extend their reach to new audiences on a variety of new music platforms.”

Added EMI Music President of Commercial Development Ronne Werre: “We are honored to have Welk Music Group and its amazing roster of artists work with the EMI family. EMI Music’s aim is to provide world class services to artists and to bring great music to fans. Kevin Welk and his team have built an illustrious catalog and active artist roster, and we are thrilled to offer EMI’s global capabilities to them. We look forward to working with the Welk Music family of labels and taking their artists to new levels of success.