Fun_People Archive
3 Oct
Sugar Hill Sold (to Vanguard's owners)

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From: Peter Langston <psl>
Date: Sat,  3 Oct 98 18:38:48 -0700
To: Fun_People
Precedence: bulk
Subject: Sugar Hill Sold (to Vanguard's owners)

X-Lib-of-Cong-ISSN: 1098-7649

[Hmmm... "The Welk Group" has a familiar ring to it, doesn't it?  It's almost
 like the name of a band...  -psl]

Forwarded-by: "joe.s.cline" <joe.s.cline@trellis.net>
Forwarded-by: Mary Katherine
From: a Vanguard press release

	WELK MUSIC GROUP ACQUIRES SUGAR HILL RECORDS
	Premier Indie Labels Join Forces For Greater Strength

SANTA MONICA, CA-Larry Welk, Chairman of the Board and CEO, The Welk Group
and Barry Poss, Founder and President, Sugar Hill Records, jointly announce
the purchase of Sugar Hill Records by Welk Music Group.  With the purchase
of the Durham, North Carolina-based independent bluegrass/Americana label,
Welk Music Group further broadens its music division, which already owns
and operates Vanguard Records.

Sugar Hill will continue as a separate independent label and maintain its
headquarters in Durham under the direction of Poss.  As President, Poss will
continue as the creative force behind the label and offer assistance to
Vanguard Records.  The acquisition of Sugar Hill Records is based on the
similarities to Vanguard Records in that both label successes lie in
acoustic- based music, selective artist rosters, the understanding of
specialty marketing, and the importance of a strong catalog.

Commenting on the announcement, Welk said, "Sugar Hill Records has been one
of the strongest and most consistently well-respected independent record
companies over the years and we feel it's a perfect fit with Vanguard.  Our
vision at Welk Music is to create a strong independent family of companies
that will focus on certain musical niches.  Barry Poss, who will continue
to head Sugar Hill, will be a great asset in achieving these goals."

"Sugar Hill and Vanguard complement each other in so many ways," Poss
concurred.  "I've wanted to take Sugar Hill to a more powerful position
while remaining independent.  It's a tremendous fit.  We are both
successful, proven companies; we are both committed to the integrity of the
music we produce; and we both believe in independence.  It's a perfect
marriage and our combined force puts us in an even greater position of
strength for the future."

Sugar Hill is highly regarded as the premier label for roots music.  The
company was named one of "21 independent labels that changed the world" and
praised for "reinventing country music" by Pulse! Magazine.  Founded 20
years ago by Poss, Sugar Hill has won eight Grammy Awards.  Its catalog
includes more than 300 releases by such legendary artists as Doc Watson,
Chris Hillman, Leon Redbone, and Ricky Skaggs; acoustic virtuosos Jerry
Douglas, Sam Bush, and Chris Thile; bluegrass innovators The Seldom Scene,
Nashville Bluegrass Band, Lonesome River Band, and Doyle Lawson &
Quicksilver; Americana and adult alternative artists James McMurtry, Bad
Livers, Tim O'Brien, and Robert Earl Keen; revered singer/songwriters Guy
Clark, Terry Allen, and the late Townes Van Zandt; and new signees Donna
the Buffalo and Nickel Creek.

Founded in 1950 by Maynard and Seymour Solomon, Vanguard became one of the
all-time premier folk and blues labels of the '60s with such artists as
Watson, Joan Baez, The Weavers, Buddy Guy and Mississippi John Hurt.
Purchased by Welk Music Group in 1986, Vanguard continues to pursue its
successful vision by signing an eclectic array of distinctive artists.  Its
active roster includes Peter Case, Ian Tyson, Paul Kelly, Venice, Pam Gadd
and, most recently added, David Wilcox.  Vanguard has sought to preserve
its historical catalog through reissues that include 20-bit re-mastering,
extensive liner notes and thorough recording information.

Welk Music Group, a division of The Welk Group, encompasses Vanguard Records
and Ranwood Records.  The Welk Group is also comprised of Welk Syndication,
which handles the broadcast of The Lawrence Welk Show on public television,
and Welk Resorts with properties in San Diego, Palm Springs, Maui and
Branson, MO.

© 1998 Peter Langston