KMG Records
KMG (Killen Music Group) 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.[1] Following the sale, Buddy Killen continued to consult for the firm.
| KMG Records | |
|---|---|
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| Founded | 1997 | 
| Founder | Buddy Killen | 
| Distributor(s) | Independent (1997–2006) Warner Music Group (2006–present)  | 
| Genre | Various | 
| Country of origin | United States | 
| Location | San Francisco, California, U.S. | 
| Official website | www | 
The Killen Music Group also operated several other including Damascus Road Records, Praise Hymn Soundtracks, Sound Performance Soundtracks and Psalm 150 music.[2] Damascus Road was pop oriented, and released albums by Morgan Cryar, Rhonda Gunn, Identical Strangers, and Dave Kauffman.
Operations
    
Notable management include Terry Scott Taylor (A&R 1997-1999), Billy Smiley (A&R 1999 - 2002, formerly of White Heart), Kevin Jackson (formerly of the band Chase and Dajhelon Entertainment Group), David Bahnsen (formerly of Tooth & Nail), and Frank Chimento (formerly of 7ball magazine).[3][4]
In addition to its own portfolio of artists KMG acquired the assets of Frontline Records,[5] whose catalog consisted of a large number of classic Alternative Christian Music bands.[3][6] KMG began re-releasing many of these albums as double-disc sets.[3] 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.[6]
At different times distribution was handled through Diamante[2] and Pamplin Music.
Original artists
    
Artists who released original, unreleased material through KMG include:
- According to John
 - Rick Altizer
 - American Made
 - Ric Blair
 - Bunch of Believers
 - Lanny Cordola
 - Andy Denton
 - Every Day Life (EDL)
 - Fono
 - Glisten
 - Gospel Gangstaz
 - Heather Miller
 - The Insyderz
 - Michael Knott (as Browbeats[7])
 - Mortal
 - Poor Old Lu
 - The Straw Theory
 - Terry Scott Taylor
 
References
    
- Flippo, Chet (1998-06-20). "Nashville Scene: Buddy Killen Sells Kmg To Cal Turner Iii; Gibson Guitars Acquires Caffe Milano". Billboard Magazine.
 - Warren, Lindy (1997-11-03). "Killen Music Group Acquires Frontline". CCM Update. OCLC 22937802.
 - Well, Chris (May–June 1998). "News". 7ball (18): 20. ISSN 1082-3980.
 - "Company Profile: KMG Records". Profile (7): 53–55. August–September 1999. OCLC 44918990.
 - Brown, Bruce A. (February 1998). "Rock n Roll World / Sound The Alarma". CCM Magazine. 20 (8): 10.
 - Van Pelt, Doug (January–February 1999). "Reviews / Various artists Classic Archives". HM Magazine (75): 68. ISSN 1066-6923.
 - Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Browbeats". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 115. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
 
