Artists never know when their big break is going to come.  With live music revenue on hold, capitalizing on such breakthrough moments has increasingly relied upon a strong physical distribution partner.  In less than a decade, AMPED Distribution has emerged as one of the fastest growing top tier independent distributors, providing vital support for musician’s sustained success.
 
Outpacing the industry trends on Vinyl LP and CD sales, AMPED is defying the odds to serve the artists in the AMPED family during the logistical challenges of the past year.  As award season ramps up, AMPED Distribution is proving they can also handle those crucial “breakthrough moments.”  The proof:  two recent artists who saw demand from fans skyrocket thanks to awards media coverage--and who got full support from their distribution partners at AMPED. 
 
Morgan Wallen (on Big Loud) received the Best New Artist award at the CMAs. AMPED had been working on his breakout record from the beginning, when it released on CD last year and when it came out on vinyl in May 2020. No one foresaw how Wallen would dominate the charts on major online retailers (reaching #2 on Amazon’s Alt-Country list and breaking into the top 250 CDs & Vinyl overall on the site in mid-November). 
 
Young guitarist Kingfish (on Alligator Records) has seen a similarly meteoric rise this year, despite touring being off the table for the hardworking bluesman. A champion of blues revival and a critics’ darling for years, Kingfish was featured on a PBS Newshour segment, which led to a supportive tweet storm from journalists at major papers like The New York Times. Though his initial release was over a year ago, Kingfish sailed to the top of the best-selling blues albums, hitting #1 on Amazon’s electric blues best seller list.
 
In each of the scenarios, AMPED made sure that fans got the CDs and vinyl they needed, even as the situation with both manufacturing and logistics grew more complicated with COVID-related shutdowns and delays.  Now, with the announcement of this year’s Grammy nominations, AMPED is ready to support another slate of talented artists who (fingers-crossed) will experience their own award season boost.  
 
Nominated AMPED artists include:  Phoebe Bridgers (Best New Artist, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, Best Alternative Music Album), Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (Best Rap Album), Bonny Light Horseman (Best American Roots Performance, Best Folk Album), Laura Marling (Best Folk Album), Free Nationals (Best Progressive R&B Album), Hiss Golden Messenger (Best Americana Album), Code Orange (Best Metal Performance), In This Moment (Best Metal Performance), Bebel Gilberto (Best Global Music Album), Tinariwen (Best Global Music Album), Priya Darshini (Best New Age Album), Joshuah Brian Campbell and Cynthia Erivo (Best Song Written for Visual Media), Lido Pimienta (Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album), Black Lodge Singers (Best Regional Roots Music Album), Joyce DiDonato, Maxim Emelyanychev, and Daniel Zalay (Best Opera Recording), and Augustin Hadelich with conductor Jakub Hrůša (Best Classical Instrumental Solo).
 
None of this has fazed AMPED, even as the holiday season kicks in and pandemic conditions persist. “At AMPED we consider it a privilege to distribute and contribute to the success of these artists; each a rising star in their respective genres” said Pip Smith, AMPED VP of Sales. “It’s gratifying to see the heightened consumer awareness of these artists. The success with the physical sales validates our commitment and belief in the physical format.”  With AMPED’s dedication, there’s no doubt award-nominated albums will be available for holiday shoppers.

AMPED Distribution will begin working with Entertainment One (“eOne”) for its diverse labels beginning November 1, 2020. AMPED will take over physical distribution for the majority of eOne music labels’ titles in the US, Mexico, and Canada. eOne’s label family includes landmark labels like Death Row Records, Dualtone Records, Artemis Records, and Steamhammer, as well as a roster of 150 artists on the company’s flagship music label. The new deal demonstrates the ongoing need for logistically strong, digitally savvy physical distribution partnership.
 
eOne is one of the most iconic and important multifaceted labels ever. From eOne to Dualtone to Death Row and SPV/Steamhammer, it’s simply impressive. Then add in some of the artists they have like Ace Frehley, The Lumineers, Brandy, High on Fire, Bryant Myers and that list is deep!” states Dean Tabaac, head of AMPED Distribution. “AMPED is thrilled and honored to be entrusted as Entertainment One’s new distributor and to become a part of their growing legacy for years to come.”
 
“eOne’s titles include some of the most iconic albums in contemporary music, as well as groundbreaking new releases,” says Sean Stevenson, eOne’s EVP and GM, Music. “We’re looking forward to having the support of a seasoned but innovative partner to get this music out to listeners across the continent.”
 
The partnership kicks off a crucial time for sales, the holiday season. Several major eOne releases are timed to drop on Black Friday (Nov. 27, 2020) for Record Store Day including Ace Frehley, Snoop Dogg, and Tha Dogg Pound. Additionally, other notable releases are set for that date, including classic, Memphis hip hop from Juicy J (The Hustle Continues); new thrash metal from Sodom (Genesis XIX); and a convergence of metal and hardcore from Within The Ruins (Black Heart).
 
About AMPED
 
AMPED is one of the fastest growing, top-tier independent distributors committed to developing and growing independent artists and labels worldwide. A part of Alliance Entertainment, AMPED gives the indie community access to a global distribution system with the largest sales force, a seasoned and skilled staff that provides a suite of services and data second to none. AMPED’s customer base is the largest in the industry directly servicing brick and click retailers large and small along with (DTC) direct consumers. AMPED’s growing roster of labels include labels such as AWAL/Kobalt Music Recordings including Glassnote, Alligator Records, Believe Digital, Big Loud, Bloodshot Records, Cleopatra, Compass Records, Empire, Hopeless Records, Inner Knot, Merge Records, Prospect Park, Ruf Records, Shanachie, SM Entertainment, Tuff Gong and more.
 
About eOne
Entertainment One Ltd. (eOne) is a talent-driven independent studio that specializes in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. As part of global play and entertainment company Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS), eOne's expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales; family programming, merchandising and licensing; digital content; and live entertainment. Through its extensive reach and scale, and a deep commitment to high-quality entertainment, eOne unlocks the power and value of creativity.
 
eOne brings to market both original and existing content, sourcing IP from Hasbro’s portfolio of 1500+ brands, and through a diversified network of creative partners and eOne companies including: international feature film distribution company Sierra/Affinity; Amblin Partners with DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, and Reliance Entertainment; Makeready with Brad Weston; unscripted television production companies Renegade 83, Daisybeck, Blackfin and Whizz Kid Entertainment; live entertainment leaders Round Room Live; world-class music companies Audio Network, Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang; and award-winning emerging content and technology studio Secret Location.