The Orchard Brings Landmark Label Vee-Jay to the Digital Space

NEW YORK, NY. & LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top 40 Charts/ / Orchard) - The Orchard (NASDAQ: ORCD), a global leader in digital music, video, new media and brand services, today announced a major distribution deal with Vee-Jay, the groundbreaking label known for their early recordings of Little Richard, Jimmy Reed, The Staple Singers, John Lee Hooker, and other music legends.

Vee-Jay Records, founded in 1953 by Vivian Carter and James C. Bracken, was the first post-war African American-owned record label, predating Motown. The label specialized in Blues, Jazz, Gospel and Rhythm and Blues, and became an instant success when the first song they recorded hit the top ten of the national rhythm and blues charts (The Spaniels - "Baby It's You"). They were the first U.S. company to sign The Beatles and released the songs "Twist and Shout," "Love Me Do" and "Please Please Me," all before The Beatles became a household name.

"Bringing the Vee-Jay catalog to digital consumers not only preserves our label's legacy but is also is a great reminder of how important Chicago was as a hub of musical innovation and brilliance in the 50's and 60's." said Brayton Fogerty, the label's Catalog Manager. "We're confident that the insight and passion The Orchard brings to this project will rekindle people's love for Vee-Jay and some of the most important and influential artists in music history."

Through the deal with The Orchard, Vee-Jay's music will become part of The Orchard's digital library, preserving the sound and quality of these legendary tracks and making them available to new audiences for years to come.

"Vee-Jay launched the careers of some of the greatest recording artists of all time. These songs are a part of musical history, and to represent these recordings is an honor and a privilege," said Greg Scholl, president and chief executive of The Orchard.