Priority Records
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Priority Records was founded in Los Angeles in 1985 by three former K-tel executives: Bryan Turner, Mark Cerami and Steve Drath. Initial funding was provided by R-tek, a company headed by former K-tel board members, Ray and Harold Kives, and their company took an initial 50% ownership in Priority.
To support early operations, Priority licensed repertoire from others and released compilation albums but soon began to develop its own significant artist roster. Between 1987 and 2001, Priority enjoyed success with many gold, platinum and multi-platinum artists, among them NWA, Ice Cube, Master P, Snoop Dogg, Mack 10, Westside Connection, Eazy-E and Ice-T.
Priority bought out the R-tek interest in 1987 and later sold the label to EMI, 50% in 1996 and the remainder in 1998. The company continued to function independently until 2001, when its operations were merged with EMI’s major US subsidiary, Capitol Records.
Less well known is Priority Records of Fort Worth, Texas--an independent jazz label founded in the early 70s by pianist John Case (musician). This label released around 12 discs, most of which featured John and his guitarist brother Jerry Case playing in a western-swing context.[link]
References
- ["2002 Music Awards"] by Anthony Mariani, Fort Worth Weekly, June 13, 2002, retrieved June 29, 2006
See also
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