220 Entertainment Group Announces Distribution Deal with Fontana/Universal

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 220 Entertainment Group, a division of Black Fuel Music, LLC, which represents many of Christian music's most exciting new artists, including five-time Dove Award winner Group 1 Crew, has announced its new distribution agreement with Fontana Distribution/UMGD, and Universal Music Christian Group (UMCG). The multi-year agreement grants 220 Entertainment Group physical and digital distribution through Fontana, one of the most diverse distribution entities in the music industry. In addition, Black Fuel Music, LLC via the 220 Entertainment Group brand, will begin sub-distributing a number of partner labels, beginning with Xist Music and their 2011 marquee releases: the soon-to-be-released projects of hip hop pioneer and Grammy nominee The Ambassador, and Grammy and Dove Award nominee and Stellar Award winner, Da' T.R.U.T.H.

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"This relationship allows our artists vast opportunities to reach their core and new audiences," said Jeff Adams, Black Fuel Music, 220 Entertainment Group CEO. "It allows us to continue with our 'artist-first' approach to managing, and now we can also utilize that mentality to help 'manage' record labels that are positioned to take a step to another level."  

"Our mission in this endeavor is to offer infrastructure and support," said COO of Black Fuel Music, 220 Entertainment Group, Martin Lovelace. "We have discovered so many labels that are doing great things but just can't afford the man-power necessary to grow or can't meet the requirements to secure major distribution.  We want to help labels achieve their goals and push the Christian pop, rhythmic, urban and hip hop genres forward.  We want to see the culture impacted by building the wave to crash over the gates."

The association will allow 220 Entertainment Group to leverage Fontana's diverse distribution network in all formats. President of Fontana Distribution, Ron Spaulding stated, "Fontana is looking forward to being in business with Black Fuel Music. Their unique way of bringing artists to market will thrive within our system.  Jeff, Martin, Al and the entire Black Fuel Team will add value to our newly formed partnership. " Black Fuel Music Executive Vice President and General Manager, Al Marks, was coaxed out of retirement after over forty years in the music industry, including twenty years with A&M and vast experience with retail sales, marketing and artist development with legends like The Police, Sheryl Crow, Janet Jackson, Soundgarden, Blues Traveler and many, many more. "At 62, I was sitting in my basement, retired, playing Call of Duty 5 online and bored out of my mind. The opportunity to get back in the business and be part owner of a company as diversified and exciting as Black Fuel came along and immediately got my blood flowing again!"

Jim Urie, President and CEO of Universal Music Group Distribution says, "I'm pleased to have 220 Entertainment Group joining the UMGD family to expand our offerings to music lovers around the world, and I'm delighted to continue a working relationship with my old friend Al Marks."  Universal Music Christian Group Vice President Rhoda Lawrence continues, "We are thrilled about our new partnership with the fine folks at 220 Entertainment Group. With years of entertainment experience and an infectious passion for the music and the ministry, 220 is poised to make a significant impact on this business and on people's lives. And we're looking forward to building an incredible future."

About 220 Entertainment

220 Entertainment Group, a Black Fuel Music, LLC company, is a multi-layered entertainment entity led by partners CEO Jeff Adams, COO Martin Lovelace and Executive Vice President and General Manager Al Marks, encompassing several mutually beneficial enterprises that work to deliver success for the artists, clients and companies it partners with and represents. 220 Entertainment Group's management division, Streetlight Artist Management, represents some of Christian Music's hottest new artists including Group 1 Crew (Fervent), Rachael Lampa, Ryan Stevenson (BEC), Hyland (Tooth & Nail), Charmaine (in:cite), Rhema Soul and more. 220 Entertainment Group is now also partnering with several record labels, providing distribution and other services. Black Fuel Music, LLC is the parent company of 220 Entertainment Group, Streetlight Artist Management and the concert and artist event booking entity, Upstream Artist Agency.

About UMCG/Fontana Distribution

Fontana, the independent arm of UMGD, provides unparalleled sales and marketing support, as well as back office services, for a diverse roster of labels and their artists. Fontana distributes more than 60 labels including American Gramophone, Angeles Records, Big Vin, Delicious Vinyl, Ipecac, Mad Science Recordings, Nitro, Quango, Rendezvous, Six Degrees, SMC, Telarc, Trustkill, Upstairs Records, Vagrant Records, VP Records, Warcon, and many others. Universal Music Christian Group is a newly formed division of Fontana, offering labels quality service at all levels, from retail marketing and sales to digital initiatives and administrative services. UMCG distributes more than 20 labels including Executive Music Group, Arrow Records, Concord Records, Desert Music Group, Geffen, Music World, Island and many others.

SOURCE 220 Entertainment Group