RioPort Delivers For-Sale Music Downloads From Artemis Records to Its E-Tailer Network
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2001--
Music Downloads by Baha Men, Kittie, Steve Earle, Spacehog, Jeffrey Gaines, Kurupt and Others Now Available on MTV.com, VH1.com, SonicNet,
BOLT and HOB.com
Continuing to drive forward the market for popular music downloads, leading music application service provider (ASP) RioPort today announced that it has signed an agreement with independent record label Artemis Records to digitally distribute and make for-sale the label's entire download catalog.
Beginning today, music fans can purchase downloads by artists such as 2001 Grammy winner Baha Men and nominee Steve Earle, metal band Kittie and rock legend Warren Zevon, among others, through RioPort's online e-tailer network, including MTV.com, VH1.com, SonicNet, BOLT and HOB.com.
Through its PulseOne Media Service(TM), RioPort is handling track and album encoding and packaging, rights management, e-commerce and reporting for Artemis Records. All music selections are being provided in Microsoft's Windows Media Format (WMA) and are available for streaming preview or as digital downloads. For-pay tracks will be sold at prices beginning at 99 cents per song.
"RioPort has been working diligently to provide online music fans with easy and legal access to popular music downloads. Our new agreement with Artemis Records, which represents some of the most popular bands today, is a major step forward in delivering on those efforts," said Jim Long, president and CEO of RioPort. "Our growing e-tailer network is thrilled to be able to offer music fans access to this caliber of music."
"Artemis Records has been very progressive in its use of the Internet to provide artists with innovative exposure opportunities," said Danny Goldberg, chairman and CEO of Artemis Records. "Moving forward, we are excited about the online distribution strength that RioPort can provide to our artists and affiliate labels through its network of partner sites."
Artemis Records, which also distributes music from label affiliates E-Squared and ANTRA Music Group, is a highly-regarded, independently-owned music label that is home to a roster of new and legendary artists, including:
-- Baha Men, whose triple platinum release "Who Let the Dogs Out" earned the band a 2001 Grammy for Best Dance Recording;
-- Kittie, comprised of four teenage females from London, Ontario, whose brash, metal sound and blunt lyrics have earned them a growing following and national press attention from publications, such as Spin and Rolling Stone;
-- Jimmie Vaughan, the legendary, Grammy Award-winning blues guitarist known for his work with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, countless recordings with many of rock-and-roll's guitar greats and multiple chart-topping solo albums; and
-- Kurupt, best knows as a member of Dr. Dre's Dogg Pound and whose current album release "Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha" is gold and fast on its way to becoming platinum.
About Artemis Records
Artemis Records is a New York-based independent record label company which has achieved an unprecedented three releases simultaneously in Soundscan's Top 200 and the Top 10 of the New Independent Sales Chart, all within the first seven months of operation. Artemis Records is distributed by RED Distribution in the United States and internationally through Sony International.
About RioPort
RioPort.com Inc. is a leading music application service provider, enabling E-tailers and consumer electronics manufacturers with industry-standard solutions for selling music to consumers in a simple, secure manner. RioPort's distribution partners include the MTVi Group, House of Blues, Bolt, @Nifty and others. RioPort is backed by Oak Investment Partners, Vulcan Ventures, SONICblue, Microsoft Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., EMC Corp., Quantum Corp. and Macrovision Corp.
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CONTACT: Faiola Davis Public Relations
Andrea Sausedo/John Rafacz, 310/248-5454
andrea@fdpr.com/john@fdpr.com
