New record company Alliance Music formed

THE BIGGEST shake-up in the marketing of Christian music albums in Britain for many years occurred in February with the announcement that Nelson Word's managing director Ian Hamilton and marketing director Dave Withers were leaving Word to form a new company.

Hamilton and Withers have formed Alliance Music which will commence operations on 1st April from offices in Aylesbury. Initially, Alliance Music will be releasing albums from the catalogue of America's premier CCM label Sparrow Records, though negotiations are also at an advanced state for Alliance Music to represent the catalogues of Warner Alliance, Star Song and Brentwood Music, all four companies' products having previously been available through Nelson Word. Ian Hamilton told Cross Rhythms, "It's obviously been a very emotional time in leaving Word. My father formed Word (UK) and I have been there for 22 years. But I'm really excited about the new opportunities to develop a marketing-driven company which will help create a level playing field for Christian artists."

Amongst the many ramifications of the new company will be a greater penetration for Christian products into mainstream record shops. Sparrow Records are owned by EMI Records and Alliance will be using EMI's expertise to both manufacture and to put selected items into mainstream record shops.

Full details of Alliance Music's distribution into Christian bookshops, their setting up of a mail order arm and many other practical details of the company's activities were not available as Cross Rhythms went to press. However, it is known that among the first albums to be marketed by Alliance Music will be the new releases by Michael Card, Steve Green, Out Of The Grey and country music's Charlie Daniels. The company will also be developing a British roster of artists. Said Hamilton, "Obviously, our pocket isn't as deep as the Word era but we're already in negotiation with some British artists."

Speaking about his surprising break from Nelson Word Hamilton said, "Word is obviously a different company since its purchase by Thomas Nelson which is primarily a book publishing and Bible company. Increasingly in the last few years I've been involving myself in these affairs though I'm not a publishing man, I'm basically a music man. So I'm very excited about involving myself with the nitty-gritty of music again. Alliance Music is a British company, with no equity owned by American companies. The American companies whose products we will be marketing recognise that this is needed in this pivotal time in the development of the British Christian market."

Nelson Word, which still has a massive Christian music catalogue both from its parent company Word Inc and through its distribution of such catalogues as Benson and Maranatha! Music, have initiated a search for a successor to Ian Hamilton. In the meantime the business continues under the guidance of senior management. Said Stuart Heaton, vice president of US parent company Thomas Nelson, "While we are sorry to see Ian and David go, we wish them well with their new venture and look forward to continued good relations with them in the future. We appreciate the many years of devoted service rendered by them to the company."

Heaton continued, "Under new leadership, Nelson Word will continue to forge its way as the leading light in Christian media. It is our aim to greatly increase our new product development and to aggressively pursue the acquisition, promotion and growth of new artists and authors within the UK and the Continent. Further, we pledge to continue our commitment to provide only the highest quality products to the Christian trade. Finally we are determined to focus our energies on delivering optimum service to our customers in all phases of our business. We want Nelson Word to be universally recognised as the leading supplier of music and print products to our industry."