KMG Records
Encyclopedia
KMG Records was a Christian record label. The label was established in 1997 by Buddy Killen
as a subunit of the Killen Music Group / Buddy Killen Enterprises and sold in late 1998 to Cal Turner III, who is related to the Cal Turner of Dollar General
stores. Following the sale Buddy Killen continued to consult for the firm.
The Killen Music Group also operated several other including Damascus Road Records, Praise Hymn Soundtracks, Sound Performance Soundtracks and Psalm 150 music. Damascus Road was pop oriented, and released albums by Morgan Cryar
, Rhonda Gunn, Identical Strangers, and Dave Kauffman.
(A&R 1997-1999), Billy Smiley
(A&R 1999 - 2002, formerly of White Heart
), David Bahnsen (formerly of Tooth & Nail
), and Frank Chimento (formerly of 7ball
magazine).
In addition to its own portfolio of artists KMG acquired the assets of Frontline Records
, whose catalog consisted of a large number of classic Alternative Christian Music bands. KMG began re-releasing many of these albums as double-disc sets. The re-releases had covers which were described as generic, and contained only the cover images of the album inset around a purple background. Inside was a one page description of the band, and the albums contained no extended or tribute material.
At different times distribution was handled through Diamante
and Pamplin Music
.
Buddy Killen
William Doyce “Buddy” Killen was a record producer and music publisher, and a former owner of Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the largest country music publishing business, before he sold it in 1989...
as a subunit of the Killen Music Group / Buddy Killen Enterprises and sold in late 1998 to Cal Turner III, who is related to the Cal Turner of Dollar General
Dollar General
Dollar General Corp. is a U.S. chain of variety stores headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. As of January 2011, Dollar General operated over 9,300 stores in 35 U.S. states....
stores. Following the sale Buddy Killen continued to consult for the firm.
The Killen Music Group also operated several other including Damascus Road Records, Praise Hymn Soundtracks, Sound Performance Soundtracks and Psalm 150 music. Damascus Road was pop oriented, and released albums by Morgan Cryar
Morgan Cryar
Morgan Cryar is a Contemporary Christian music vocalist, songwriter, and producer, hailing from Louisiana. He is especially noted for his creative lyric-writing....
, Rhonda Gunn, Identical Strangers, and Dave Kauffman.
Operations
Notable management include Terry Scott TaylorTerry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies . Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative music group, Lost Dogs. He is currently based in San Jose, California, USA.Taylor is highly regarded for...
(A&R 1997-1999), Billy Smiley
Billy Smiley
Billy Smiley is a music producer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for being one of the core members of the Christian rock band White Heart. He was the bands' guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter since 1982....
(A&R 1999 - 2002, formerly of White Heart
White Heart
White Heart, also listed as Whiteheart, was a Contemporary Christian Music pop-rock band which formed in 1982. White Heart's discography includes thirteen albums, the most recent of which was released in 1997. Original members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl worked with a continually-changing cast...
), David Bahnsen (formerly of Tooth & Nail
Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
), and Frank Chimento (formerly of 7ball
7ball
7ball was a Christian music magazine, first published in 1995, founded and created by Frank Chimento. They focused on rock, hip-hop, and other "alternative" forms of Christian music. The magazine was initially published by the Royal Magazine Group alongside Release magazine and others...
magazine).
In addition to its own portfolio of artists KMG acquired the assets of Frontline Records
Frontline Records (1980s)
Frontline Records was a Christian record label founded in 1986 by James Kempner. The label focused primarily on modern rock, rap, and hip-hop...
, whose catalog consisted of a large number of classic Alternative Christian Music bands. KMG began re-releasing many of these albums as double-disc sets. The re-releases had covers which were described as generic, and contained only the cover images of the album inset around a purple background. Inside was a one page description of the band, and the albums contained no extended or tribute material.
At different times distribution was handled through Diamante
Diamante Music Group
Diamante Music Group was a Newport Beach, California based independent record label distributor active from 1993 through 2004. During its heyday, Diamante was home to several dozen small independent record labels, some of whose artists later gained worldwide recognition.Among such were Rescue...
and Pamplin Music
Pamplin Music
Pamplin Music was an independent Christian record label founded in 1995 by Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. The label was a subunit of Pamplin Entertainment and in turn Pamplin Communications, which was already established in the Christian media marketplace through book stores and video products.Pamplin...
.
Original artists
Artists who released original, unreleased material through KMG include:- According to John
- Adam AgainAdam AgainAdam Again was a rock band founded and led by vocalist Gene Eugene, with Riki Michele on vocals, Paul Valadez on bass, Jon Knox on drums, Greg Lawless on guitar...
- Rick Altizer
- American Made
- Ric Blair
- Bunch of Believers
- Lanny CordolaLanny CordolaLanny Cordola is an American guitarist, songwriter and producer. He has been a member of bands such as Giuffria, House Of Lords, and Magdallan ....
- Andy Denton
- Every Day LifeEvery Day LifeEvery Day Life was a Christian rapcore group. The band became identified with the Straight Edge movement, which advocates abstinence from sex, drugs, and tobacco....
(EDL) - FonoFono (band)Fono is a rock band, originally from the United Kingdom but later based out of San Diego, California.-History:Fono formed under the name Seven , and released one album and one EP under this name; they also opened for a UK concert by Bon Jovi before changing their name to Fono in 1998...
- Glisten
- Gospel GangstazGospel GangstazGospel Gangstaz is a Grammy-nominated Christian rap group from Compton and South Central, Los Angeles. The group has featured members formerly affiliated with the Crips and Bloods gangs, Mr. Solo, Chilly Baby, DJ Dove and Tik Tokk....
- Jacob's TroubleJacob's TroubleJacob's Trouble was an American, Christian, rock band formed in Atlanta, Georgia area in the 1980s. The group originally consisted of members Jerry Davison , Mark Blackburn , and Steve Atwell , with Davison and Blackburn handling the lead vocals.-Biography:In 1989, Jacob's Trouble released their...
- Mad At The WorldMad At The WorldMad at the World is the first album from Christian rock band Mad at the World. It was significant for being one of the few Christian music albums to feature a synthpop sound.-History:...
- Heather Miller
- The InsyderzThe InsyderzThe Insyderz are a Christian ska-punk band from Detroit, Michigan. They formed in 1996 and disbanded in 2005, but have recently reunited and are working on new music. The Insyderz are one of the "big three" bands which represented the Christian ska scene, alongside the Supertones and Five Iron Frenzy...
- Michael KnottMichael KnottMichael Knott is an American singer-songwriter and frontman for various bands, many of them Christian. He has released some 35 albums, including solo albums and with bands such as LSU and Cush....
(as Browbeats) - MortalMortal (band)Mortal was a Christian industrial/dance band fronted by Jerome Fontamillas and Jyro Xhan. Both members went on to found the alternative rock group Fold Zandura, and for a time were members of both bands simultaneously...
- Poor Old LuPoor Old LuPoor Old Lu was a pioneering alternative Christian band based in the American Northwest. The band experimented with a variety of sounds and genres, particularly grunge, funk and psychedelic rock. The band consisted of Scott Hunter with the vocals, Jesse Sprinkle as the drummer for the band, Aaron...
- The Straw Theory
- Terry Scott TaylorTerry Scott TaylorTerry Scott Taylor is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies . Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative music group, Lost Dogs. He is currently based in San Jose, California, USA.Taylor is highly regarded for...