Emerging "mini-major" Company
In 1999, Concord Records was purchased by a consortium led by Hal Gaba and his longtime associate, television producer Norman Lear, and moved its offices in 2002 from Concord to Beverly Hills. Its catalog was greatly enhanced in 2004 with the purchase of Fantasy Records, bringing to Concord diverse music from Fantasy-owned labels such as Prestige, Stax and Specialty. The company is now known as Concord Music Group.
Concord Records signed on Barry Manilow in 2000 with Norman Lear at the helm, which Barry to work on the long-anticipated concept album, "Here at the Mayflower" (designed by Los Angeles graphic designer Dennis Purcell of Clutch Design). The album was another eclectic mix of styles, almost entirely composed and produced by Manilow himself. While Manilow was at Concord Records, the Barry Manilow Scholarship was awarded for four consecutive years from 2002 to 2005 to the six highest-achieving students to reward excellence in the art and craft of lyric writing.
On December 19, 2005, it was announced that the group had purchased Telarc Records and its subsidiary Heads Up, in a deal whose terms have not been divulged.
In 2007, Concord started the Hear Music label in association with Starbucks, signing such artists as Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, John Mellencamp, Carly Simon and Elvis Costello. Although Starbucks ceased to be an active partner a year later, Concord kept Hear as a going concern, even having a Top 5 album in 2010 with Carole King and James Taylor's Live at the Troubadour.
Kenny G signed to Concord in early 2008, Herb Alpert in early 2009. On June 5, 2009, Dave Koz signed to Concord.
Concord purchased Rounder Records in 2010.
In 2010, it has been reported that Paul McCartney's solo and Wings catalog will be globally distributed by Concord.
Read more about this topic: Concord Records
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