Evergreen Copyrights

2 Live Crew

2 Live Crew is one of the seminal groups in rap history.  Synonymous with controversy, they pioneered the Miami Bass sound in the late 80s, using the Roland TR-808 drum machine as a canvas for their sexually explicit lyrics.  Their breakout album, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, sold two million copies on the strength of such singles as Me So Horny, but due to the sexual nature of the lyrics was labeled as "obscene" and subsequently banned in Florida.  After being arrested for performing live, the group was mired in a high profile courtroom drama that ultimately led to their acquittal in 1992.  In the meantime, the group continued to record and perform, releasing the tongue-in-cheek single Banned In the USA as well as the very first live rap album Live In Concert.  After taking a long hiatus, 2 Live Crew is now reformed and currently recording a new album.  Their music remains an important and vital part of American culture.

69 Boyz

The Florida-based 69 Boyz burst onto the scene with their 1994 double-platinum smash Tootsee Roll, the infamous Miami Bass dance anthem. Rappers Van “Thrill Da Playa” Bryant, Barry “Fast” Wright, Greg “Slow” Thomas and Rottweiler Mike Mike, all born in 1969, released their debut album 199Quad on the heels of the single’s success and are credited with the mainstream acceptance of the Miami Bass genre, along with fellow scene staples 95 South and 2 Live Crew. In 1998, the 69 Boyz released a second album entitled The Wait Is Over, featuring Woof Woof, a track written for the film Dr. Dolittle which peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100. 2069, their third and final album, was released in 2000, one year prior to the 69 Boyz disbanding.

Ali Farka Touré

One of the predominant "bluesmen" of Africa, guitarist Ali Farka Touré has a distinctive style that combines his native sound of Arabic-influenced Malian music with American blues. Deeply rooted in African rhythms, Ali's music captured the attention of the West beginning in the 1980s, and his legacy still carries on through his extensive and masterful works such as Soukora, Timbarma, and Sega. His albums Talking Timbuktu and In The Heart Of the Moon won GRAMMYs in 1994 and 2005, respectively, while Savane became Toure's last album when he passed away in 2006 after a long battle with bone cancer.

Alison Krauss

Rounder Records signed Alison Krauss as an artist when she was 14 years old, after gaining attention for her skill as a vocalist and instrumentailist. In the years in between, she has taken home 26 Grammy awards, more than any other woman in history. After launching her recording career with the 1987 album, Too Late to Cry, Krauss introduced her band, Union Station, on the 1989 release Two Highways. She joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1993 at the age of 21. Her Grammy-winning collaboration with EverGreen writer Sidney Cox remains some of the finest work of her career. Krauss continues to write, record, perform, and produce, and she has been highly involved in the soundtrack world, most notably the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Animal Collective

Animal Collective is a New York City based group of experimental musicians from Baltimore, MD. Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Deacon (Josh Dibb), and Geologist (Brian Weitz). Records released under the name Animal Collective may include contributions from any or all of these members, but the lineup is not uniform. The band members met in school and started recording together in various forms of collaboration from a young age. Although the band is often classified a pyschefolk or noise rock, it is hard to define the critically acclaimed Animal Collective sound as they often experiment with diverse styles and ideas.

Arab Strap

Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton are better known as Arab Strap, the brooding, post-folk duo from Scotland who are "renowned for being miserable." The group disbanded in 2006, but over the course of their 10 year existence, they created music that is praised for its genre-bending originality and inventive, languid style, which features sordid and personal lyrics and spare acoustic-electro elements. Highlights include the slow-burning Blackness, the dreamy Forest Hills, and beat-heavy The Shy Retirer.

Audio Two (Kirk Robinson)

Kirk "Milk Dee" Robinson is a legendary figure in the hip-hop world, and for good reason. Along with his brother, Nat "Gizmo" Robinson, he released one of the most influential hip hop tracks of all time in 1987: Audio Two's Top Billin'. The funky, braggadocio-filled track has been heavily sampled and referenced over the years by artists including 50 Cent, 2Pac, Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, and Notorious B.I.G., and was named the #8 greatest rap song by noted critc Henry Adaso. Kirk rediscovered success in 2004 when he produced the breakout hit F*ck It (I Don't Want You Back) for R&B sensation, Eamon, and he returned to the mic in 2007, recording a verse for a remix of 50 Cent's I Get Money.

Autumn Defense

An indie band, comprised of multi-instrumentalists John Stirratt and Pat Sansone, The Autumn Defense began as a side project for Stirratt, who is best known for his work as bassist for alt-country bands Wilco and Uncle Tupelo. Stirratt collaborated with Sansone - who he knew through his work with Joseph Arthur and Josh Rouse - to produce a 1960s-style rock/pop album. The Autumn Defense create a sound that both embraces and resists the moods of autumn, and so defines their name. The duo chase the sun west towards California, gathering inspiration from classic L.A. Pop and well crafted melody of the 60's and 70's. 

Beatnuts

During the early 1990s, the Beatnuts remixed the elite of hip-hop artists before recording their own rap-oriented material that was filled with a light touch of jazz, humor, and funk. Their hit singles Reign Of The Tec, Props Over Here, Do You Believe, Off The Books, Watch Out Now, and No Escapin' This listed towards the top of the Hot Rap Singles and Hot Dance Music Sales charts.

Bebe Winans

Bebe Winans is a four-time Grammy award winning gospel and R&B singer, songwriter, producer, arranger of music, radio host, actor and entrepreneur. Hailing from the first family of gospel music, Benjamin “Bebe” Winans began his career as a background singer for The Winans (his four older brothers). He soon joined forces with his sister Cece and released a string of highly successful albums, including 1991’s Different Lifestyles, which won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. In 1995, Bebe and Cece both decided to pursue solo careers, although a reunion album is currently in the works.

Bill Monroe

The "Father of Bluegrass Music", Bill Monroe spearheaded the genre's growth across America and later internationally through his famous mandolin playing, relentless touring schedule and mentoring of other musicians for more than six decades beginning in the 1930s until his death in 1996. This hard-edged style of country music with a fast, driving tempo and woeful lyrics is epitomized in many of Monroe's legendary songs such as Blue Moon of Kentucky, Uncle Pen, Rawhide, and Big Mon. Other hits such as Kentucky Waltz and Walk Softly On This Heart Of Mine, slower in tempo, evoke the bittersweet and somewhat tragic lament of bluegrass music. His project, Southern Flavor, won a GRAMMY for Best Bluegrass Album in 1988, more than fifty years after his musical career began.

Bruce Fisher

Best known for his collaborations with Billy Preston, Bruce Fisher penned one of the most memorable, most recorded songs in music history with You Are So Beautiful which was famously performed by Joe Cocker. Artists as diverse as Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys, Pavarotti, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Babyface have all recorded their own renditions of this timeless classic. Other prominent songs in his catalog include Will It Go Round In Circles and Nothing From Nothing, both went to #1 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart in 1973 and 1974 respectively.

Buena Vista Social Club

Capturing the traditional sounds of Latin America, Buena Vista Social Club is composed of a rotating cast of the finest musicians from Cuba and has become a critical and commercial sensation.  The project's roots lie in famed American guitarist Ry Cooder, who traveled to Havana in 1996 to seek out long-forgotten Cuban musicians; before long, the Buena Vista Social Club had earned a Grammy and an Academy Award nomination and had become the best-selling album of Cooder's long and storied career.

Bunny Sigler

Bunny Sigler a/k/a Bundino Sigalucci is best known for innovating Philadelphia Soul, a highly influential genre of music that infused R&B with funk and effectively paved the way for disco and beyond.  Sigler's biggest hits came in 1978 with Let Me Party With You (number 8 R&B and number 43 pop) and Only You (number 11 R&B and number 87 pop). Sigler's timeless compositions have also helped other artists find considerable success over the years, including the O'Jays, The Whispers, Instant Funk, Patti Labelle, and Shirley Jones with songs such as Love, Need and Want You and This Air I Breathe. More recently Sigler's music has been sampled by artists such as Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, Outkast and Christina Milian to name but a few, most notably on Nelly's #1 hit Dilemma.

Catie Curtis

Catie Curtis began her music career behind a drum kit, but found her greatest success as an empowering singer-songwriter on the acoustic guitar. Born and raised in the small town of Saco, Maine, Curtis attended Brown University where she became an integral part of the socially aware coffeehouse circuit. Upon graduating in the early 90s, Curtis relocated to Boston where she fine tuned her witty yet gentle style. She has released ten albums in her illustrious career, featuring such tracks as Gave Me Love (Don't Give Up) and The Kiss That Counted, and her music has been featured in numerous television programs including Dawson's Creek, Felicity, and Alias.

Célia Mara

Célia Mara’s diverse geographical background is reflected in her globe-trotting sound. Born and raised in the small bordertown of Pedra, Brazil, she spent her youth absorbing samba and bossa rhythms before relocating to Europe in the early 90s, where she became heavily involved in the jazz scene. Her music effortlessly combines these two influences while incorporating elements of rock, ska, and funk to create a sound that is truly unique and representative of her vision of the planet, by always carrying a message of unity, peace and social justice. The fiery Manifesto Bastardista and the quirky, funky Brigada Rosa are but two examples of her diverse sound, which is equally at home in underground dance clubs, grand opera-houses, or large outdoor festivals.

Chaundon (Hall of Justus)

Growing up in South Bronx and constantly being surrounded by Hip Hop, Chaundon began writing rhymes at 13. As a member of the collaborative team Justus League, it wasn’t in this group where he first started performing. As a student at Stevenson High School, he earned his stardom rapping in front of students all over school. Realizing that music was his calling, Chaundon gained a reputation for his lyrical prowess; a reputation that followed him wherever he’s gone since. After graduation and while attending North Carolina Central University, he entered the hip-hop scene, performing at local venues. He has released many mixtapes, including collaborations with 9th Wonder, DJ Drama, and Khrysis. Chaundon’s versatility and expressive voice makes him a favorite among the Hip Hop community.

Chicago Afrobeat Project

Afrobeat cannot stand still. As the genre enjoys a resurgence across the globe, Chicago Afrobeat Project remains true to its original vision of breathing the intensity of Chicago’s rich music scene into the infectious sounds of afrobeat. Afrobeat’s traditional influences — funk, rock,  jazz, afro-cuban, high life and juju music – settle into a hypnotic, dance-compelling pulse at the core of Chicago Afrobeat Project. However, the group demonstrates a fiery originality by incorporating elements of high-energy rock and experimental jazz into their sound. The group’s fresh energized take on the genre, along with its frenzied and exciting live show have established CAbP as one of the premiere afrobeat groups in the United States. 

Clutch

Since 1991 Clutch have been challenging rock n' roll's limits, and they show no signs of abandoning the unique experimentation that has defined them. This Germantown, MD based band combines elements of funk, metal, and rock that helped to define the "stoner-rock" sound of the mid-90s which they have since taken in unexpected directions. 2009 saw the release of their ninth studio album, the innovative Strange Cousins From The West, which debuted in Billboards Top 40 albums. For Clutch, evolution is a way of life.

Cougar

Cougar creates passionate, powerful, unabashedly epic instrumental music. Formed in 2003 in Madison, Wisconsin, Cougar describes their sound as “Emergency Rock.”  Each song is a collage of voices constantly interacting and evolving one another; shape shifting melodies, vast sonic canvases, dense, raw, electronic, organic, found-percussion and driven sounds resonate throughout each track, in a style that is rooted in philosophical ponderings of nature versus architecture. Their debut LP, Law was released in 2007 on the Layered Music label. You can also catch members of Cougar in the internationally-acclaimed YoungBlood Brass Band.

CRC Jianian

CRC Jianian/EverGreen publish and distribute CRC's historical catalog that features the largest collection of traditional Chinese ethnic, instrumental, opera and folk music, spanning some 5,000 years of Chinese musical history. Additionally, CRC Jianian has signed over 50 Chinese contemporary artists releases, including famous pop star Pang Long, all-girl punk rock band Hang on the Box, and Mongolian-flavored Hanggai. The company also holds rights to Tanggula, one of the largest Tibetan music catalogs on the globe.

Cubanismo

Cubanismo embodies the heart and soul of Latin music, combining salsa and mambo with a raucous mix of New Orleans R&B and Dixie-land jazz. Led by trumpeter Jesús Alemañy, Cubanismo's first line-up featured piano great Alfredo Rodriguez, along with an all-star line-up of Cuban musicians. Their most popular works include the fiery singles, Mambo UK, Descargo De Hoy, and Salsa Pilon. Their first full-length project Malembe, released in 1997, rocketed to the top of Billboard's Tropical/Salsa chart, while Reencarnacion and Mardi Gras Mambo cracked the top fifteen in both Tropical/Salsa and World Music album charts.

Dan Venne

Hailing from central Wisconsin, Dan Venne is a composer, producer and guitarist. When not touring with his band Cougar (Counter Records/Ninja Tune), he can be found in Brooklyn composing for various media and performing throughout NYC with his trio Hans Blix. Dan has worked as a producer and composer for Man Made Music in NYC, served as adjunct faculty at NYU, and toured internationally and nationally with his bands. He also has a few music degrees and awards rattling around in a shoebox.

Dazkarieh

Dazkarieh is a four-piece experimental folk rock band from Lisboa, Portugal, whose work suggests a never-ending search for acoustic sounds which merges into a powerful electric discharge through which an invigorating path is drawn in the "traditional root" of Portuguese music. In the Jornal de Letras, Manuel Halpern attempts to pinpoint the sound of Dazkarieh when he says, "in this album, for a moment, I think I'm hearing Sonic Youth (…) with bag-pipes and adufes. Exaggerated? Maybe. Dazkarieh are one of those bands that create a positive aura that turns ethno into cool." Their music provides an experimental fusion that draws upon American rock music, folk tunes from Sweden and Ireland, Arabian traditionals, and most of all the explosive roots music of Portugal.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band revolutionized the New Orleans brass band style by incorporating funk and bebop into the traditional New Orleans style, and have been a major influence on the majority of brass bands and beyond since their inception in 1977. The group is well known for their powerful live show and diverse list of studio collaborations, including Dr. John, Dizzy Gillespie, Branford Marsalis, Elvis Costello, Norah Jones and Widespread Panic.

Dr. Dre

Andre Romelle Young, otherwise known as Dr. Dre, is a Grammy Winning record producer and rapper, as well as an actor, director, label executive and entrepreneur. Known today as one of the dominant figures in West Coast gangsta rap music, he has had many successful hits as a rapper, including Let Me Ride (1992), Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang (1992), and Forgot About Dre (1999). However, he is arguably most famous as an impeccable record producer who has produced hits for Mary J. Blige (Family Affair), 50 Cent (In Da Club), and Eminem (My Name Is, The Real Slim Shady, etc.) among many others. He is currently the CEO of Aftermath Entertainment, and was the former co-owner of Death Row records along with Suge Knight, during which time he introduced the world to 2Pac and Snoop Dogg.

Edwin "Tony" Nicholas

Tony began his professional songwriting career with the 1991 platinum release of Private Line by his co-writer and production partner, Mr. Gerald Levert. With two number one singles and two top ten singles, that success launched the duo on to produce a body of work that includes 17 gold & platinum records with appearances from Mary J. Blige, Barry White, Faith Evans, Joe, 3LW, Johnny Gill, Vanessa Williams, and many more. At the 50th Annual Grammy awards in 2008, Nicholas's song In My Songs won the award for best traditional R&B performance!

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton is the only person in history to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, and rightfully so. His work with the Yardbirds, Blind Faith, Cream, Derek and the Dominoes, and as a solo artist is the stuff of rock legend, and he is regarded as one of the finest electric guitarists who ever lived (ranked fourth in Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time). His timeless body of work from his many formations through the years includes such classics as Sunshine of Your Love, Layla, Tears in Heaven, Change the World, and Cocaine (originally written by J.J. Cale) which is still one of his most enduringly popular hits. “Slowhand” is currently on tour this year with Steve Winwood (his former bandmate in Blind Faith), a show that classic rock fans should not miss.

Fairport Convention

The best British folk-rock band of the late '60s, Fairport Convention did more than any other act to develop a truly British variation on the folk-rock prototype by drawing upon traditional material and styles indigenous to the British Isles. While the revved-up renditions of traditional British folk tunes drew the most critical attention, the group members were also talented songwriters as well as interpreters. They were comfortable with conventional harmony-based folk-rock as well as tunes that drew upon more explicitly traditional sources, and boasted some of the best singers and instrumentalists of the day.

Flowchart (a/k/a) DJ Sean O'Neal

Sean O'Neal is a true renaissance man when it comes to the music industry. Not only is he a well-respected electronic DJ, composer, musician, producer, and journalist, he is also a bit of an entrepreneur, having co-founded several indie record labels, including Tuning Spork Records, and Fuzzy Box Records. He is best known for his work with the space pop group Flowchart, whose ethereal and hypnotic sound has drawn comparisons to Stereolab.

Full Force

Full Force began their career as producers of the seminal hip-hop classic Roxanne Roxane by UTFO and their own successful R&B records (including Alice I Want You Just For Me and Ain't My Type Of Hype) and spent the 1980s generating a string of crossover hits for artists such as Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Samantha Fox and James Brown. They scored again in the 1990s with N Sync and the Backstreet Boys (including their international smash All I Have To Give). The new millennium has seen their vintage work used as source material for more international hits including Nina Sky's Move Ya Body and Black Eyed Peas' Don't Phunk With My Heart.

Grand Funk Railroad

One of the 1970s' most underrated hard rock bands, Grand Funk Railroad built a devoted fan base with constant touring, a loud, simple take on the blues-rock power trio sound, and strong working-class appeal. The group had 20 singles in the Billboard Top 100 and went on to sell over 25 million records. The band was formed by Flint, MI, guitarist/songwriter Mark Farner and drummer Don Brewer, both former members of a local band called Terry Knight & the Pack. They recruited former ? & the Mysterians bassist Mel Schacher in 1968, and Knight retired from performing to become their manager, naming the group after Michigan's well-known Grand Trunk Railroad. 

Greg Camp

Best known as the guitarist and main songwriter for the hugely successful pop-rock band Smash Mouth, Greg Camp ventured off on to his own in 2008. He now primarily works on two main projects, the power-pop surf-rock of The Maids of Honor and Gina Marie. In September 2008, he released hi debut solo album to rave reviews. In addition to these projects, Greg has produced a variety of music for film and television. He also has operates a recording studio and a record label, SEAVOLT RECORDS.

GWAR

GWAR is part of an ancient order of warriors known as the Scumdogs Of The Universe who were banished from space and sent to planet Earth. Once on Earth, the Scumdogs fornicated with apes and thus the human race was born. The Scumbogs were incarcerated in ice, deep in the wastelands of Antarctica. Here they lay dormant for millions of years, controlling the will of the humans they’d spawned through mental telepathy. With little effort they brought about war, disease and injustice. Earth was on a path to self-destruction before GWAR had ever played a note…

Haale

Haale is a New York-born singer of Iranian descent, whose name means ‘halo around the moon.’ Mixing her Persian heritage of Sufi mysticism with American neo-pyschedelia, Haale creates trance-inducing songs filled with soulful rhythms and lush textures. Releasing two mesmerizing EPs and touring extensively throughout 2007, Haale established a strong presence in both the New York downtown scene and international music festivals such as Bonnaroo, South by Southwest and the Mimi Festival. In her breathtaking full-length debut, “No Ceiling”, Haale explores themes of transformation and evolution, singing in both Persian and English accompanied by a riveting soundscape of exotic percussion, psychedelic guitars and soaring strings.

Heather Davis

Heather Davis had established herself as a professional musician by the time she was only 8 years old.  Her voice and career soon prompted her to leave her home state of Texas to Nashville.  After learning several new instruments and writing with local songwriters, one of her songs found its way into the hands of RCA label executives, and she was signed to the label at age 13.  Heather continues to write and perform, receiving a standing ovation at country music’s biggest stage, the Grand Ole Opry. EverGreen Copyrights signed her as a staff writer to the company in late 2007.

Ikon

Ikon is the brainchild of longtime London-based collaborators Alex Rizzo, Elliott Ireland, and Trevor Mac, but also includes a large and diverse group of friends, musicians, and singers from all over the globe. The wide range of contributors helps give the music a lush and cinematic sound that is highly imaginative. It is not uncommon to hear elements of electronica, downtempo, drum and bass, and bossa nova all contained within the same song, each style flowing seamlessly into the next to create music that is original and uplifting.

J-Live

A legend in the underground hip-hop world, Brooklyn MC J-Live burst onto the scene in 1995 with the hit single Bragging Rights. Using soulful, catchy beats as his template, J-Live is known for his insightful, street-smart lyrics, which he delivers with confidence and ease.  Although he was quickly signed to a record deal, his debut album, The Best Part, was delayed for five years due to record label reshuffling, but this only added to his now mythical status. In 2002 his second album, All of the Above was released on the label, Coup D'etat. It featured production by DJ Spinna, Usef Dinero, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. In 2003 J-Live simultaneously released two EPs, Always Has Been and Always Will Be. Always Has Been was a collection of J-Live's six early singles which did not appear on any of his albums. Always Will Beconsisted of 8 new songs. Both EPs were released on the label, Triple Threat Productions. His third LP, The Hear After in 2005 on the label, Penalty (Ryko). In October 2007 J-live released his Reveal The Secret EP on BBE Records.

J.J. Cale

Known for his laid-back, rootsy style, J.J. Cale's distinctly loping sense of rhythm and shuffling boogie became the blueprint for the adult-oriented roots-rock of Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton, who has long performed many of Cale's songs. His songs from the late 1960s through the present day have an underlying poignancy prevalent in the blues/rock genre of music, and include the high profile hits Cocaine, Travelin' Light, I Got The Same Old Blues, Cajun Moon, and Sensitive Kind among others. In 2006, Cale teamed up with Eric Clapton on a new album, Road to Escondido.

Jimmy Bosch

An expressive playing style, marked by flaring melodies and soulful rhythms, has made Jimmy Bosch one of the leading trombone players in contemporary Latin music. Known throughout the Latin communities as "El Trombon Criollo," the New Jersey-born Bosch has strengthened the music of many top-notch Latin groups.

Joe Scudda (Hall of Justus)

Joseph Samuel Griffin’s unruly nature as a teen led to his leaving home and turned to fortune when he met Justus League producer 9th Wonder through his local DJ work. Soon, Joe was recording songs with many Justus League emcees and producers. From there, Joe began working with HOJ alum and eventually was featured on almost every subsequent HOJ album. Joe’s cameo on Little Brother’s single Lovin It boosted him to fame, and since then, Joe has also performed with non-HOJ members including the Dilated Peoples, Pete Rock, and The Alchemist as well as appearing on the hit FX TV series The Shield.

Joey Ramone

Joey Ramone was one of the early pioneers of the punk rock movement of the 1970’s, yet his loud, fast, and straight-forward music has never gone out of style. He remains today one of the classic rock figures of all time, and he has cemented his place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Joey Ramone, the late lead singer of The Ramones and one of the founders of the group, penned many of their most well-known songs, including Blitzkrieg Bop (1976), Rockaway Beach (1977), and Beat On The Brat (1976). His version of What a Wonderful World was released posthumously on his only solo album, Don’t Worry About Me (2002), and was notably used in Michael Moore’s groundbreaking documentary Bowling for Columbine (2002).

John Martyn

Beginning in the late 1960s, Scottish musician John Martyn's music melded the traditional sounds of his country and eclectic folk with influences of American blues artists such as Robert Johnson and Skip James. Coupling his guitar with various electronic devices and effects such as the Fuzzbox, Phaseshifter and Echoplex, he sculpted sounds that pushed the envelope of current musical genres. In 30 years as one of Britain's most imaginative songwriters, Martyn's work met with great critical acclaim and earned him a steady following of fans. Several of his songs were recorded by top artists, including his easy-going ballad May You Never (Eric Clapton), Head and Heart (America) and I Don't Want To Know About Evil (Dr. John).

Josh Rouse

Pop/rock, singer/songwriter Josh Rouse exhibits folk-pop intimacy and soulful vulnerability in his music. Recorded between 2002 -2006, his album projects Under Cold Blue Stars, 1972, and Nashville have charted extremely well within the Heatseekers and Top Independent Album charts with hits such as Love Vibration and Carolina. His work attracted the attention of film director Cameron Crowe, who featured Josh's song Directions in the film and on the soundtrack for Vanilla Sky. His songs have also appeared in other recent film and television projects including Lovely & Amazing, The Girl Next Door, Joan of Arcadia and Northshore.

Keith Brown

Keith Brown writes in a variety of musical styles, deftly switching from country to R&B, and then moving again from pop to hip-hop. Brown has collaborated with such noted performers as Faith Hill, Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), Keith Urban, and Jamie O'Neil. He has written, produced and arranged for Rascal Flats, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child, Nick Lachey and Rudy Perez, and his work can be heard on the MGM film soundtrack for Uptown Girls. His international hit Caliente held a #1 spot on the charts in both Spain and Portugal in 2003. His debut album This Side of Heaven, co-produced and writen with former Prince and the Revolution guitarist Dez Dickerson, created two #1 songs and three top five hits in the Contemporary Christian market. In 2004, Brown's song Charmed Life was featured in a JC Penney commercial that aired during the 2004 Academy Awards. Brown's song Entertaining Angels is featured on the current release from country music star Mark Wills.

Khrysis (Hall of Justus)

Khrysis (b. Christopher Frederick Tyson) is a main in-house producer for North Carolina rap crew the Justus League. While working at the North Carolina Central University radio station WNCU, Khrysis met League rapper Chaundon, who introduced him to 9th Wonder -- through whom he was able to join the League. Attempting to break out of his mentor’s shadow, Khrysis began producing for non-League artists including Sean Price, Masta Ace, and Jean Grae. Khrysis established his signature combination of drums and intricate melodies with heavy usage of uncut soul samples and spacey key riffs.

Luna Halo

Nashville-based Luna Halo have created great buzz with the release of two albums and two EPs. The band are known for their exciting live shows and have toured heavily with such artists as Velvet Revolver, Hoobastank, Collective Soul, Ours, Need to Breathe and Family Force 5. In October 2007, Luna Halo's self-titled album was released to great critical acclaim. The album features contributions by former Jellyfish keyboardist Roger Manning Jr., Self's Matt Mahaffey and two songs co-written by former DC Talk singer Kevin Max.

Luther Campell (aka Luke)

Luther Campbell, aka Luke, was integral to Miami Bass pioneers 2 Live Crew.   A former concert promoter turned MC, Luke continually sparked controversy and pushed the boundaries of socially acceptable popular music.  Aside from his famously explicit music, he was embroiled in many high-profile legal battles throughout his career.  Most famously, he and his colleagues in 2 Live Crew were literally banned in the state of Florida in 1987 on obscenity charges (which were later dropped).  Despite his reputation as one of the most controversial figures in rap history, Luke created a formidable catalog of music both as a solo artist and with 2 Live Crew, which he helped disseminate through his own record label, Luke Records.

Magnaaflux

Magnaaflux is hard rock funk trio that combines a melting pot of influences to deliver a unique refreshing sound. Their new album Half A Mil Is The New Five Grand has been blowing away listeners with its raw energy! Magnaaflux are set to keep rocking and bringing it hard for years to come.

Mark Leonard

As a songwriter Mark is best known for writing the multiple times #1 classic song, Missing You, first recorded and taken to #1 by John Waite. Mark wrote, arrranged all the music and played all the keyboards on the original version of his song. The song has also been recorded by and been a #1 for Tina Turner, Brooks & Dunn, Rod Stewart, and most recently recorded as a duet by Alison Krauss and John Waite. Missing You has recieved multiple ASCAP Awards. 

As a studio musician, artist, arranger and producer, Mark has been involved in some of the most diverse and seminal projects in the music industry. His many credits include recording and/or performing with artists Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tina Turner, Willie Nelson, Robbie Robertson, Ry Cooder, Marvin Gaye, Bette Midler(featured bassist in The Rose), Steve Winwood, and Pat Martino. Mark is also a graduate of the New England Conservatory.

In addition to his many musical accomplishments Mark founded and institutied his own personal charity, P's HOUSE of MUSIC. This is a music program which focuses on healing and relief through drum and percussion circles for the children and their families while they are dealing with their treatments and illnesses.

Mark Nesler

Country singer/songwriter Mark Nesler's music has been described as "neo-traditionalist" - he pairs classic country melodies with modern lyrics, often sung with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. From the mid-1990s through the present day, Nesler has penned many hits including Tim McGraw's Just To See You Smile, which stayed at #1 on the country charts for more than six weeks, Living And Living Well (George Strait), Go On (George Strait), Just Let Me Be In Love (Tracy Byrd) and I Miss My Friend (Darryl Worley).

Marty Robbins

Marty Robbin's musical accomplishments include the Grammy Award for his 1959 hit and signature song El Paso, taken from his album Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. El Paso was the first song to hit #1 on the pop chart in the 1960s. It was followed up, successfully, by Don't Worry, which reached #3 on the pop chart in 1961, becoming his third Top 10 hit. He won the Grammy Award for the Best Country & Western Recording 1961, for his follow-up album More Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, and was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1970, for My Woman, My Woman, My Wife. Robbins was named "Artist of the Decade" (1960-69) by the Academy of Country Music, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982, and was given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1998 for his song El Paso. Robbins was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1975. For his contribution to the recording industry, Robbins has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6666 Hollywood Blvd.

Matt Slocum

As co-founder and one of the main songwriters for Sixpence None The Richer, Matt Slocum's plaintive, wistful style led the band through the 1990s to success on Adult Alternative and Pop/Rock oriented charts and radio stations. Primarily started as a Contemporary Christian band, the band found a larger audience in the mainstream marketplace with big crossover hits such as Breathe Your Name and Kiss Me, which achieved widespread popularity when it was featured in the Miramax film She's All That.

Max ZT

After hearing the hammered dulcimer at a Chicago area folk festival at the age of six, Max ZT was hooked. He studied under Kat Eggleston for ten years before venturing to Bard College in upstate New York. Several years into his college studies, Max traveled to Senegal, West Africa, to study the Mandinko technique with the Cissoko griot family. He has returned to Senegal numerous times to further his education. Max now resides and works in Brooklyn, NY where he continues to create his beautiful, magical and melodic music on the hammered dulcimer. He has won the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship and works with scores of national and international artists.

MC Hammer

MC Hammer is credited with bringing rap music into the mainstream when he exploded onto the charts in 1990 with his second album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, which sold over 10 million units and became one of the best-selling rap albums of all time. Legions of fans enthused over U Can't Touch This, a song which became a veritable touchstone for the burgeoning rap movement. Other hit singles include Turn This Mutha Out, Too Legit To Quit, Pray, Pump It Up, Have You Seen Her?, It's All Good and Addams Groove.

Michael Jackson

An interesting fact, Michael Jackson is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “the most successful entertainer of all time”. With 13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles, and sales of over 750 million albums over his long career, it’s not hard to see why. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice (for the Jackson 5 and as a solo artist), and has influenced countless artists from younger generations who look up to him as a pop icon. He has numerous classic albums to his name, including Thriller (1982) which remains the highest selling album of all time, with sales of over 100 million copies worldwide, and his 1991 album Dangerous (co-produced by Jackson, Teddy Riley, and Bill Bottrell), which has sold over 32 million copies and is considered the most successful “New Jack Swing” album ever made.

Morphine

Morphine was a rarity in the rock world, melding the sounds of blues, rock, and cocktail jazz without the use of guitars. Instead, the band relied on sliding two-string bass lines, piercing saxophones, and wry, ironically detached vocals. During the mid-1990s, Morphine gained underground pop success and a sizeable following from word of mouth, heavy college radio airplay, and positive reviews. Their 1995 project Yes reached the #1 position on Billboard's Heatseekers chart, with hits such as Buena, A Good Woman is Hard to Find and The Night. The trio disbanded in 1999 when frontman Mark Sandman collapsed onstage and died, suffering a heart attack at the age of forty-seven. The Night was released posthumously in 2000 and hit the top ten on Billboard's Top Internet Albums chart.

Nation Beat

Melding Brazilian maracatu drumming, New Orleans second-line funk, and even elements of rock and bluegrass, Nation Beat have earned their reputation as the most original and alluring fusion group today. Led by the invigorating rhythms of Skott Kettner, the inspiration for Nation Beat has its roots in the slums of Brazil, where Kettner studied drumming and first noticed the similarities between Brazilian and American music.  Since 2003, Nation Beat has been bringing their audacious and infectious energy to people all over the world, appealing to fans of many genres, and especially to those who like to dance.  Highlights include the raucous bluegrass-funk of Nago Nago, the tribal thump of  O Povo, and the high-energy country strut of A Cowboy In Brazil.

Nick Drake

One of Britain's best kept secrets during his lifetime, Nick Drake has found worldwide acclaim as a songwriter and artist in the years following his untimely death in 1974 at the age of 26. His albums of bittersweet, poignant themes drenched in sweeping, acoustic arrangements are peak achievements of both the British folk-rock scene and the entire rock singer/songwriter genre. Nick Drake's music has experienced a strong resurgence in recent years. Songs such as Pink Moon, River Man, Day Is Done and Time Of No Reply have earned him a cult-like following that continues to grow with every new generation of music fan.

Noble Society

Broadcasting, from Brooklyn, New York, Noble Society creates a musical hybrid of dancehall and hip hop, with a whole lot of reggae thrown in. Sound-ink.com declares them "so good it hurts. It's the New York answer to grime – U.K. style beats with U.S. MCs." Filling the mysterious void of credible reggae artists in the U.S., Noble Society have earned their crown as the new kings of Urban Reggae. Their breakout album, Take Charge, was named Best Reggae album of 2008 on iTunes and the group was featured on the Huffington Post as one of the Top Ten global acts to watch in 2009.

Orchestra Baobab

Senegal's Orchestra Baobab is one of the seminal and most influential groups in the World music scene.  When they initially formed in 1970, their poppy Afro-Cuban sound was instantly popular and helped transform the capital city of Dakar into one of the most vibrant musical cities in the world.  The group enjoyed considerable worldwide success up until 1985, when political revolution kept them sidelined.  But popular demand eventually led to their triumphant return in 2001, and they continue to tour and record.

Ostrich Head

A five-piece Hip-Hop collective of music-makes from Los Angeles, CA. Emcees are Calmentz, NoWonder, and Loreaxe. On the turntables are Mes E.Recspin and Waxbukler. The group is strongly influenced by Hip-Hop legends The Pharcyde, De la Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. 'Ohead' frequents the L.A. Club scene, having performed at many of the premier venues. The group is building an increasingly large underground following in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Oumou Sangare

Born and raised in the West African nation of Mali, Oumou Sangare has been immersed in the traditional sounds of the Wassoulou region since her birth in 1968.  Her music is characterized by an upbeat, bluesy and folksy sound, but her political lyrics speak out against injustices towards women.  Her debut album, Moussoulou, was released in 1989 and sold an astonishing 250,000 legal copies (in addition to countless bootlegs), which helped launch a long and fruitful career.

Poison Clan

With their definitive style of sleazy, club-oriented, and bass-driven rap, Poison Clan is one of the few successful rap groups to come out of the South in the early 90s. The group began as a 2 Live Crew-sponsored act on Luke Records, on which they recorded their first release 2 Low Life Muthas (1990). The album became a modest sensation in the South with its blend of dirty rap, gangsta rap, and Miami bass. However, it was Poison Clan's second album, Poisonous Mentality (1992), and its standout hit, Shake Watcha' Mama Gave Ya, that expanded the group's reach outside of the South. Poison Clan’s five-year run set the stage for the development of the Dirty South movement that would arise later in the decade.

Radio 4

Radio 4 formed in 1999 and almost immediately became a driving force in New York City's gritty, guitar-driven rock scene. Their music revisits the late 1970s - early 1980s post-punk sound with their scratchy riffs and danceable grooves. The band's album and single, Party Crashers, made its appearance on Billboard's Hot Dance Singles chart. Songs such as Absolute Affirmation and Caroline have won awards and been featured in commercials and video games as the band's fan base continues to grow in both the United States and in Europe.

Red Snapper

Acid jazz pioneers Red Snapper formed in 1993 and were some of the first to combine acoustic and electronic instruments to create a sound that effectively blends elements of dub, punk, funk, electro, and hip-hop.  Their smooth, sophisticated style has won them both critical and commercial praise, and they have earned a reputation as the premier live electronic act in the UK, sharing the stage with Bjork, Massive Attack, and The Fugees, among others.

Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson's unique talent is apparent in many musical styles such as traditional British Folk, jazz, and music hall. Thompson was one of the founders of the seminal British folk rock group Fairport Convention, before embarking on his solo career and later recording numerous albums with his wife, Linda Thompson. The pair recorded the classic, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight in 1974. 

Roger Brown

A Texas native, Roger Brown's songwriting credits include Trace Adkins' All Hat, No Cattle, Kenny Chesney's She Gets That Way, Randy Travis' That's Where I Draw The Line, Tanya Tucker's Fool, Fool Heart, Nanci Griffith's I Knew Love, Barbara Streisand's We Must Be Loving Right, Gary Allan's Adobe Walls, Patty Loveless' Born Again Fool and George Strait's Need I Say More and We Must Be Loving Right. Roger serves on the NSAI Legislative Committee, has lobbied with NSAI in Washington, D.C., and was instrumental in securing private health insurance for songwriters. Roger also serves as an NSAI "Washington, D.C., Team Captain."

Sandy Denny

The late Sandy Denny remains the pre-eminent British folk-rock singer. In addition to recording several albums of her own, Denny was an integral force behind the best work of the most respected British folk-rock band of all, Fairport Convention, and also contributed mightily to recordings by the Strawbs and Fotheringay. It's impossible for words to fully evoke the haunting, spectral presence of her powerful and penetrating alto voice, which seemed to bring the mythology of English moors and folktales to life in contemporary, 20th century settings.

Schoolly D

Jesse Weaver Jr. (aka Schoolly D) changed the course of hip-hop history as a pioneer of Gangsta Rap. He fused hardcore beats with explicit and gritty narratives about urban life in his home-town of Philadelphia. Schoolly D paved the way for the likes of Ice-T and Notorious B.I.G., among others with such songs as Gucci Time, Saturday Night and P.S.K. What Does It Mean?

His music has been heavily sampled over the years, by such artists as The Roots, Jennifer Lopez, Lil' Wayne and by the Chemical Brothers in their 1997 smash Block Rockin' Beats. Younger fans may know Schoolly's work from the Cartoon Networks' wildly successful Aqua Teen Hunger Force, for which he crafted the legendary theme song and contributes voice-overs.

Scott Schreer

Emmy nominated writer Scott Schreer is one of America’s most performed BMI TV composers and producers as well as the driving creative force behind many of today’s top music Themes for Sports telecasts (NFL ON FOX Sports Theme, MLB On Fox Theme, NASCAR on Fox Theme, Fox Boxing Theme, to name but a few ). Scott is the recipient of the prestigious BMI writer’s award in both 2005 and 2006 (Fox News Channel, O'Reily Factor). His productions can be heard hourly on  FOX, FOX Sports, FOX News, NBC, ESPN, CBS and ABC.  His recent Music credits include Executive Music Producer for the NBC Torino Olympics, as well as Music Producer credits for NBC Olympics at Sydney, Salt Lake and Athens.

Sean Boog (Hall of Justus)

Since joining North Carolina's Justus League in 2001, rapper Sean Boog has successfully expanded his repertoire to include other critically-acclaimed acts. Following several guest appearances (notably The Foreign Exchange's 2004 album Connected.), Boog formed the Away Team with producer Khrysis. The duo debuted in 2005 with National Anthem, which featured Boot Camp Click and Little Brother and received international press coverage in The Source, XXL, and King Magazine. Since National Anthem, Boog has performed internationally with Little Brother, Boot Camp Click, Tha Liks, and Dilated Peoples. After extensive touring, the Away Team released their sophomore effort Training Day while recording their third album. 

Shasha Marley

Shasha Marley is a singer and lyricist from Ghana who has used his music to promote social, political and medical change throughout Africa. Upon hearing some of Shasha's tracks, Grammy Award winner Isaac Hayes said, "This brother is pure talent, he and I are going to do great things together." Growing up, Shasha was inspired by such artists as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, and Jimmy Cliff, as well as political icons, specifically Nelson Mandela. After the release of his first album, Tell Freedom, Shasha began to play a variety of shows that ranged from a concert at the first ever Ghanaian Miss Universe beauty pageant to a performance for all African Presidents during the last Organization of African Unity summit, organized by the leader of Libya.

Sidney Cox

Sidney Cox got his start in 1976 performing with The Cox Family. The family band was a popular draw at fairs and festivals, mixing country, bluegrass, and gospel styles. Sidney’s career took off in the early ‘90s when Alison Krauss brought them to the attention of Rounder Records. Krauss recorded several of Sidney’s songs, which appeared on three of her Grammy-winning albums. The Cox Family recorded two records of their own on Rounder Records, which earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. The Cox Family recoded three songs for the blockbuster sound track O Brother, Where Art Thou? and also appeared in the movie.

Skeewiff

Londoners Elliot Ireland and Alex Rizzo are better known as Skeewiff, the “lounge-hop” act that mixes breakbeat and lounge music to create a modern-yet-retro style that is urbane, classy, and ideal for martini drinking.  Their sound has been compared to the likes of Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse, in that they share their roots in Northern Soul and classic R&B, while giving a freshness to the music that is distinctively modern.

Slavic Soul Party!

Slavic Soul Party! is a group of New York-based jazz musicians who, in the early 2000s, put their own spin on the instrumental folk music of Macedonia and the Balkans. This five-member ensemble brings their own elements of jazz and funk to a traditionally Eastern European style. Fiery brass, throbbing funk grooves, killer Gypsy accordion, and virtuoso jazz chops make Slavic Soul Party! the most danceable Balkan-flavored pop this side of the Adriatic. The Big Easy funk influence on the band's recent album Teknochek Collision adds a welcome laid-back quality to their Balkan-brass sound. The group’s knack for improvisation has inspired countless live performances and a heavy touring schedule of nearly 100 shows a year in the US, Europe, and beyond.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg is one of the most instantly recognizable figures in rap music, as well as one of its most endearingly popular personalities. With such diverse hits as Gin and Juice (1993), Still a G Thang (1998), and Drop it Like It’s Hot (2004), he has established longevity through his ability to cross styles and evolve with contemporary hip-hop. His signature swagger and laid-back vocal style is unmistakable, and his fun-loving attitude has made him a pop-culture icon for this generation. He has crossed over into acting on many occasions, and in 2002 produced his own show for MTV entitled Doggy Fizzle Televizzle. Snoop’s tenth studio album, Malice in Wonderland, is set to be released in September 2009.

Stateless

Stateless are one of Leeds' most exciting bands, currently on course to explode all over the music world. The band fuses a conventional band set-up of vocals (Chris James), bass (Justin Percival) and drums (David Levin) with the electronic mesh of turntables (Kidkanevil) and live programming (Rod). Stateless recently finished recording their self-titled debut album with producer Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian), who passed on some tracks to the mighty DJ Shadow. Immediately a fan, Shadow enlisted Chris to co write and sing on two songs on his new album The Outsider this was followed by a massive UK tour supporting DJ Shadow.

Steve Diamond

Emmy award winning writer Steve Diamond has written many worldwide hits including I Can Love You Like That, which was recorded for both pop and country audiences by All 4 One and John Michael Montgomery. The song went to #1 on both charts for three weeks for each of these artists, and was nominated for four GRAMMY awards. It garnered Song of the Year at the ASCAP, BMI and NSAI Awards, and Steve was named Songwriter of the Year by American Songwriter Magazine. Diamond has had more than 35 songs featured in movies; his #1 hit for Faith Hill, Let Me Let Go, appeared in the hit film Message In A Bottle, and is featured on Faith Hill – The Hits collection. Superstar Hannah Montana recorded Steve’s I Learned From You with her father Billy-Ray, which has sold in excess of 3 million copies. The song was also featured as the end title to the film Bridge To Terabithia and appeared on the soundtrack. Most recently, Diamond co-wrote According to You, the hit single by pop star, Orianthi. Diamond has also had songs recorded by Britney Spears, Lonestar, Backstreet Boys, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, 98˚, Nick Lachey, Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Pussycat Dolls among others. Current artists that Diamond is excited to be working with include Sweedish pop star, Agnes Carlsson and Filipina musician, Charice.

Sunshine State

At times, the jazzy, soul-tinged acoustic pop of Sunshine State can feel a bit like a light-hearted therapy session among friends. Featuring Aleza Coldevin's witty and confessional stories combined with the playful guitar work of James Bryan, Sunshine State's fresh, bright, and quirky sound has earned the Toronto-based duo the distinction of being named one of the Top 10 Artists to watch in 2008 by KGRL. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2007, and has been the subject of numerous, glowing reviews.

Supreme Beings of Leisure

Los Angeles-based duo Supreme Beings of Leisure create music that is a seductive mix of exotic, danceable electronic pop better known as trip hop. Their song Strangelove Addiction was a favorite on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play lists beginning 1999, while other popular songs include Get Away, Truth From Fiction and Under the Gun. The band's infectious grooves and subtle yet intriguing edge has garnered attention from the world of television and commercials. Their music has been heard on television shows such as Queer as Folk, Alias, Dawson's Creek, and Third Watch.

Suzi Ragsdale

Suzi is the daughter of pop and country hit-maker Ray Stevens. When she was in kindergarten, Ray brought her into the recording studio to be part of the kiddie chorus on his Grammy Award winning 1970 smash Everything Is Beautiful. Her destiny was clear. “I always knew that I would be a singer and writer… I started writing poetry when I was about six, then songs a little later, and recording children’s music albums for the classroom when I was 10," says Suzi. During the past 14 years, this gifted songwriter, vocalist and pianist has released just one collection of her strikingly original songs. But this year, Suzi has created two new albums with producer Tim Lauer. The first, titled Best Regards, is a marvelously eclectic set of her recent tunes. On the second collection, Less of the Same, Suzi and Tim hand-picked a mix of her songs written over the course of her career. The textures range from jazzy pop to acoustic-folk waltz with some bluesiness thrown in.

Teddy Riley

The acknowledged "King of New Jack Swing", Teddy Riley's urban, dance-oriented music has found a wide range of audiences from the 1980s into the new millennium. Riley's sexy, upbeat R&B style has resulted in numerous hit songs including My Prerogative (Bobby Brown), Just Got Paid (N'Sync), Dangerous (Michael Jackson), No Diggity (Blackstreet), Take Me There (Blackstreet), Make It Last Forever (Keith Sweat), How Ya Like Me Now (Kool Moe Dee) and Rumpshaker (Wreckx-N-Effect).

The Posies

Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow formed the highly influential alternative-rock group The Posies in 1987 in the University district of Seattle. Regarded for their hard-driving and anthemic power-pop, the group combines bright melodies and warm harmonies with fuzzed-out and grungy guitars to create their unique sound. After taking a short break around the turn of the century, the group returned with a vengeance on 2005's Every Kind of Light which features the standout tracks I Guess You're Right, Second Time Around, and Love Comes.

Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind’s 1997 self-titled debut album was a six-time platinum phenomenon that still resonates as a landmark album of mid- to late-90s alternative pop. With hits including Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, and Graduate, Third Eye Blind immediately proved they were no one hit wonder. The band received worldwide popularity with their catchy choruses and sing-a-long melodies, and they went on to release two follow-up albums: Blue (1999) and Out Of The Vein (2003). After taking some time off from recording and life on the road, Stephan Jenkins reformed the group in 2007, embarking on an extensive tour while working on the group’s fourth album, Ursa Major (2009). The album is more politically-driven than their previous work, but still maintains the core elements of the group’s beloved sound. Third Eye Blind is currently working on their fifth album, Ursa Minor, which is set to be released in 2011.

Todd Rundgren

A rock music maverick in the 1970s and 1980s, Todd Rundgren has written, played, sung and produced an extensive amount of music across many styles within the rock genre, including art rock, power pop, proto-punk, soft rock and hard rock. His catalog includes a number of prominent hits including Hello, It's Me, I Saw The Light, and Can We Still Be Friends. His 1980s novelty hit Bang The Drum All Day became a sports arena favorite in 1990s with teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Knicks.

Toumani Diabaté

A master of the kora (21-string West African harp), Toumani Diabaté has brought the traditional music of his native Mali to the attention of an international audience with a series of well-received solo albums and some acclaimed collaborations (Bjork, Taj Mahal). Although he came from a family of musicians, Diabaté taught himself to play the kora from an early age, as his father, who also played the instrument, was often away touring. He developed a style of playing that, while being strongly rooted in the Malian tradition, is also open to a wide range of other influences, such as jazz and flamenco.

Transcargo

London-based Transcargo play a mixture of folk, electronica, and pop to create a sound that is completely unique yet somehow feels familiar and inviting.  Led by the warm vocals of Emily Phillips and featuring a wide-ranging roster of talented musicians, songwriters, and producers, Transcargo have drawn comparisons to Belle & Sebastian and Saint Etienne.  The group's 2004 debut Idle Luxury was keenly received by critics such as NME and The Big Issue, who described the album as “verging on genius.”

Tupac Shakur

As the first rapper to ever have a No.1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and the highest selling rap/hip-hop artist of all time, Tupac has sold more than 67 million copies worldwide, with 38 million units sold in the U.S. alone. His No. 1 single California Love sold more than 2 million copies. Record sales of 2Pac's posthumous albums have exceeded 20 million units. Tupac has garnered 11 platinum albums and 1 gold album. Eight posthumous albums containing previously unreleased material have all been certified platinum with sales of more than a million copies each. Tupac appeared on Forbes' Top Earning Dead Celebrities list in 2002, 2003 and 2004 with earnings of $7 million, $12 million and $5 million respectively. Rolling Stone ranked Tupac as the 86th Greatest Rock N' Roll artist of all time, as well as placed him at No. 6 on their list of 100 Immortal Artists of All Time. VH1 named Tupac as No. 3 in their 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists series. MTV's show 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made included Tupac's California Love at No. 9.

Uncle Kracker

Matthew Shafer, otherwise known as "Uncle Kracker", is an artist who is hard to pin down into any one genre. His music crosses into country, hip-hop, and rock, but his voice and style are unmistakable, and he has established himself as one of the more distinguished and original hit-makers of this decade. His first big break was as Kid Rock's DJ, but he decided to release his first solo album, Double Wide (2001), after Kid became a huge success in his own right. His first single from that album, Follow Me, was a gigantic hit from 2001, and peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His cover of Drift Away also became one of his signature songs, and peaked at 9 on the Hot 100. His fourth solo album, Happy Hour, was released on September 15, 2009.

Vanessa and the O's

Vanessa and the O's formed in New York City in late 2003 when Vanessa Contenay-Quinones teamed up with James Iha, Andreas Mattson, and Niclas Frisk. The group instantly hit it off, and spent the next year writing and recording songs on a laptop computer in hotel rooms and apartments, eventually releasing their critically acclaimed debut album La Ballade d'O. Rough Trade London described their sound as "european cool with breathy vocals over music that sounds like... a more modern take on the Velvet Underground."

Vieux Farka Touré

Following in the footsteps of his beloved father Ali, Vieux Farka Touré carries on the rich Sonrai songwriting tradition: West African folk music that is often credited as being the root of Blues music in America.  Touré was born and raised in Mali, and he writes globally-minded music that infuses West African melodies with elements of reggae and rock and carries with it a positive, uplifting message. His acclaimed debut album was released in 2007 and an exciting remix record quickly followed.

YoungBlood Brass Band

Deemed “The Midwest’s answer to the Roots” by The New Yorker, YoungBlood Brass Band’s progressive, acoustic, and revolutionary sound has not gone unnoticed. This groundbreaking ensemble of brassmen, who’s founding members hail from Madison, WI, combines traditional New Orleans brass band sound with both jazz and hip hop to create their own innovative style. The group’s emphasis on live, improvised performance has exposed audiences around the world to their incredible energy and raging ambition. Their debut album Unlearn was independently released in 2000 and featured collaborations with rapper Talib Kweli and the underground smash single Ya’ll Stay Up. Their highly anticipated follow-up in 2003, Center:Level:Roar, was released to international acclaim and has led to global tours in front of packed audiences everywhere.