NASHVILLE, TN. (Fervent Records) - Nashville-based Word Entertainment announces the acquisition of Spirit-Led Records, which includes Fervent Records, home to such artists as BarlowGirl, Big Daddy Weave, By The Tree and others, to its label group.
An independent artist driven label with 2005 sales to exceed $7 million, Fervent Records is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Word Entertainment. The label will continue to operate with its current staff under the direction of its founder and President, Susan Riley, an eight-year veteran of the Christian music industry and one of the only women to own and operate an independent label in any genre of music.
"Fervent Records has a large roster of cutting edge Christian artists whose music is reaching a broad mainstream audience," says Warner Bros. Records Chairman & CEO, Tom Whalley. "I join the rest of Warner Bros. Records in welcoming them to our family of labels."
Fervent introduced one of the most successful breakout acts, BarlowGirl, in 2004. The best-selling new artist in the industry last year, the three-sister band shipped more than 250,000 units of their debut, self-titled album. BarlowGirl's radio hit, "Never Alone," was named the 2004 Song of the Year at CHR by R&R and at Rock radio by Christian Radio & Retail Weekly. Fervent's track record of accomplishments began in 2001 with the label's first release and national freshmen bow of By The Tree, entitled Invade My Soul. The album became one of the highest scanning debuts that year and collected two Dove Awards in 2002. Big Daddy Weave, the label's second signing, additionally claimed the highest new artist debut spot in 2002 at retail according to SoundScan's Christian chart and radio according to R&R's AC radio chart. In 2004, Fervent introduced the Absolute series, which has gone on to ship over 400,000 units and become the largest launch of a new Christian music compilation series in the past three years.
"We are excited to be a part of the Word Label Group and to partner with Word Distribution," states Riley. "Being a family-owned label we are blessed to find a partner in Word that allows us to maintain our independent spirit while expanding our opportunities and resources to help grow the ministries of our artists."
Fervent and Spirit-Led Records will further be distributed worldwide by Word Distribution into the Christian marketplace and WEA into mainstream retail outlets starting June 1, 2005. For more information on Fervent and its complete artist roster, visit www.ferventrecords.com.
In addition to the labels, Word Publishing has acquired the two publishing arms owned by Riley, Open Worship Publishing and Fresh Springs Publishing.
