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Frontline Records

From Alfawiki
Frontline Records
Company typeIndependent record label
IndustryMusic
Founded1986
FounderJames Kempner
Defunctmid-1990s (ceased operations)
FateCeased operations, later acquired by Killen Music Group (KMG Records)
Headquarters
Santa Ana, California
,
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
James Kempner (founder), Terry Scott Taylor (production manager), Ed McTaggart (art director), Scott Blackwell (MYX Records overseer)
ProductsChristian rock, contemporary rock, rap, dance-pop, hip-hop music
Websitewww.frontlinerecords.us

Frontline Records was a Christian rock label established in 1986 by James Kempner in Santa Ana, California. The label focused on genres such as contemporary rock, rap, dance-pop, and hip-hop. After ceasing operations in the early 1990s, it reemerged in 2010 to digitally reissue its catalog along with associated labels.

Beginnings and history

With a background in concert promotion and experience expanding a major Christian music festival at Knott's Berry Farm, Kempner founded Frontline by signing bands from the local Orange County, California scene. During its inaugural year, Frontline released sixteen albums. In 1986, the label secured a distribution agreement with Benson Records, based in Nashville, to utilize their sales network and the distribution services of Zondervan Music. Subsequently, the company transformed into Frontline Music Group (FMG), establishing several sub-labels to cover a broad range of styles including alternative, punk, dance, pop, rock, gospel, metal, rap, and hip-hop. Initially, distribution was managed through Benson Records.

Among the key staff were artist Terry Scott Taylor who served as production manager and drummer Ed McTaggart who took on the role of art director. The sub-labels included Intense Records (metal), Alarma! Records (alternative), and MYX Records (dance/hip-hop), the latter overseen by former New York club DJ Scott Blackwell.

Frontline’s artist lineup featured pop and rock performers such as Crumbächer, Crystal Lewis, Idle Cure, Jon Gibson, Altar Boys, Shout, and Rick Elias. Alternative bands like Mad at the World, Jacob's Trouble, The Swirling Eddies, and Poor Old Lu were signed to Alarma Records, while Alarma World concentrated on international groups including Edin-Ådahl and Walk On Water. Metal acts such as Tourniquet, Bloodgood, Sacred Warrior, and Deliverance were part of Intense Records’ roster. MYX Records primarily promoted dance and hip-hop artists largely developed by Blackwell; rap musicians included Gospel Gangstaz, P.I.D., and D-Boy.

Frontline significantly influenced the growth of the West Coast Christian alternative music movement. Industry sources have described its catalog as "truly classic alternative, rap, metal and rock." Between 1986 and 1991, the label held a dominant presence across Christian media channels and radio stations.

In 1992, Frontline ended its distribution partnership with Benson to establish its own sales team and pursue independent distribution for enhanced brand autonomy. Although new signings such as Angie & Debbie Winans, Gary V, and Carol Huston joined the roster, financial difficulties led to diminishing momentum. By the mid-1990s, Frontline had ceased operations altogether.

In early 1998, Nashville producer William "Buddy" Killen purchased Frontline along with its assets under Killen Music Group (KMG Records). KMG re-released top-selling Frontline artists on double CD compilations until 2002 when distributor Diamante collapsed, resulting in KMG's downfall. After Buddy Killen’s death in 2006, his estate sold Frontline’s publishing rights to Meis Music Group in 2010. The following year saw the sale of master recordings from KMG, Frontline, and Damascus Road Records.

Artists

See also

External links

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