Mogul City Media & Entertainment Group

*Jackson, Miss. --The legendary Malaco Music Group, after 40-plus successful years of making southern rhythm & blues and gospel hits, has tapped industry veteran Lionel Ridenour to head up its new Urban Music Division. The Urban Division will bring a mix of established and new cutting edge talent from the worlds of Hip Hop and R&B to the legendary soul, blues and Gospel label. "We are excited about branching out into new territory with our Urban Music Division and Lionel Ridenour was our first choice to helm this project," said Tommy Couch, President of Malaco. He brings with him to Malaco, 20 years of working with the best that Hip Hop and R&B have to offer. We look forward to working with Lionel and the talented new artists that he will be escorting through our doors." Under his deal with Malaco, Ridenour will also focus on bringing the industry's hottest new urban independent labels to the Music Division. "Our plan is to create a new home for...

Want your own recording label? Producing music has never been easier or cheaper. Richard Budrik, 54, had been manager of a Manhattan wine store for two decades when he decided last year to start his own record label. Huh? A middle-age man who knew zip about the shark-eat-shark music business? Throw money into an industry that was laying off thousands of workers? Budrik, though, did not have to risk his life savings, as he might have done a generation ago. He invested a measly $5,000. More surprising: In just 18 months his little label, Premier Cru Music, has pulled in revenue of $16,000 and has gotten worldwide airplay on BBC radio. Budrik woke up one morning to find himself producer of a Bangkok disc jockey's top-five pick. Technology has done to the marketing of recorded music what it did a decade ago to the publishing of the printed word--lowered the barrier to entry down to just about zero. Clay Pasternack, chairman of the Association for Independent Music, says you can put out...

OK, so you've recorded your demo - now what? Now you need to get your demo in the hands of the people who can help you take it to the next level. But with so many people trying to get their demos heard, how can you make sure your demo won't get lost in the shuffle? Follow these simple steps to move your demo to the top of the pile. Here's How: Do Your Research Before you start sending out your demo, you need to compile a list of labels who might be interested in hearing it. Sending your hip hop demo to an indie rock label is a waste of time and money. What bands do you like? What labels are they on? What labels deal with the kind of music you play? Spend some time online researching artists you consider to be similar to yourself and the labels that work with them. that way, your demo will land in the hands of people who "get" what you're doing. Learn Demo Policies One you have your short list of labels, you need to learn each label's policy on demos. Some ...