January 13, 2006

  • Gay, lesbian acts find Sony label home

    By Katie Hasty


    NEW YORK (Billboard) - Sony Music and Wilderness Media and Entertainment are launching what appears to be the first record company with major-label backing to focus on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender artists.


    Music With a Twist will recruit GLBT artists who appeal to mainstream audiences and the gay and lesbian community.


    The label has not yet signed any artists but plans to release the first of a series of compilations in June during National Gay Pride Month. The release will feature tracks from its roster of artists as well as "gay- and lesbian-friendly" acts, according to Wilderness president Matt Farber. He says the label is not barring straight artists from joining the label, though the focus will remain on GLBT artists.


    Wilderness has introduced several gay and lesbian media initiatives including MTV's cable TV network Logo, now available in some 20 million households.


    Wilderness also is launching a two-hour syndicated radio show on January 15-16 on nine FM stations, including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco markets. The Music With a Twist programs will feature interviews, entertainment news and lifestyle advice -- and provide another outlet for Twist artists. Plans for more affiliates in major markets and markets with prominent GLBT communities are in the works. AOL Radio has also signed on to air the program.


    Reuters/Billboard