WORD RECORDS
HISTORY
Word Records had two distribution agreements with A&M Records. The first ran from early 1985 until 1990. The agreement was reworked in 1987 and was in effect through 1992.
Bob Darden reported in Billboard on October 11, 1986, "Word has enlarged its share of the marketplace in the last year. Depending on who you talk to, Word has anywhere from 49% to 65% of the total Christian music market. An any given time, 10, 11, 12, 13 of the top 15 albums on the Billboard contemporary charts are from Word or Word-distributed labels."
From Word's inception, it had a number of label divisions including Canaan Records, Exit Records, Myrrh and Myrrh/LA Records and Rejoice Records. Word established the What? Records label around 1985. What? was designed to capture new musical trends--youth-oriented contemporary market. A&M showed interest in two of the artists on that label, Tonio K. and Dave Perkins. Albums by both were released under the old Horizon Records SP 700 series.
Word sold 80-85% of its products in Christian bookstores, not retail record stores. About 80% of Word's sales were cassettes in the mid-1980s.
With the distribution agreement with A&M, Word began to achieve crossover success in the secular market through Amy Grant's Unguarded album which went was certified gold in 45 days and went on to platinum status. The album received airplay on pop radio and Christian stations. When a gospel artist is marketed to a gospel audience, print media works better. With a secular audience, the overtly religious element is downplayed in order to get television and promotional appearances.
A&M's succeeded with Word Records where other major secular labels failed in their distribution of gospel and Christian labels. A&M developed separate marketing strategies for the contemporary, inspirational and black gospel products within the Word line.
In 1986, Word re-signed its distribution deal with Reunion Records to last until 1990. Word also had arrangements with DaySpring Records, Home Sweet Home Records, I Am Records, Live Oak Records, and Maranatha! Records.
In 1987, Word began exploring CDs but had not made much progress with that format.
By the time Word dissolved its association with A&M Records in 1992, it had five gold certifications from the RIAA: four to artist Sandi Patti and one for Evie. (Amy Grant's certifications are listed under A&M Records history although a number of those releases were due to the Word/A&M pact.)
SOURCES:
Billboard. Word Records: Breaking Down Barriers Still Top Priority in Campaign to Capture New Musical Trends. Bob Darden. October 11, 1986.
WORD RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - F | G - N | O - Z |
|---|---|---|
|
Abundant Life Rance Allen Group Allies Steve Archer Wendy Bagwell & Sunliters Philip Bailey Barrett Sisters Barrett Sisters & Glen Campbell Helen Baylor Paul Beasley Bob Bennett Kim Boyce Shirley Caesar Calvin Bridges Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Milton Brunson Milton Brunson & Thompson Community Singers Glen Campbell Carman Johnny Cash Choir Chris Christian Clark Sisters CLC Youth Choir Commissioned Morgan Cryar Rick Cua Teri De Sario Dion Jessy Dixon O'Landa Draper Roby Duke Bryan Duncan Joni Eareckson Eastman School of Music Chris Eaton Edification Joe English Ever Call Ready Linda Evans Evie Farrell & Farrell Becky Fender First Call Florida Boys Tennessee Ernie Ford Don Francisco Rodney Friend |
Gaither Vocal Band Billy & Sarah Gaines Bill Gaither Trio Teri Gibbs Gingerbrook Fare Michael Gleason Happy Goodman Family Rusty Goodman Tanya Goodman Amy Grant Al Green Rosey Grier Danniebelle Hall Handel's Young Dr. Charles Hayes Mike Hayward Benny Hester Ethel Holloway Dallas Holm Dallas Holm & Praise Ronn Huff Imperials Inspirations Jackson Family Peter & Hanneke Jacobs Joy Circuit Phil Keaggy Kid's Praise Kingdom Joyce Landorf Mylon Lefevre Mylon LeFevre/Broken Heart Lewis Family Little Roy Lewis Joe Ligon Tammy Lindsay Maranatha! Singers Mastedon Kenny Marks Howard McCrary Rod McGaha David Meece Mighty Clouds of Joy Douglas Miller Denise Alda Mitchell Vernessa Mitchell Dorothy Moore Rich Mullins Kelly Nelon Kelly Nelon-Thompson Rex Nelon Nelons Nicholas Dorothy Norwood Michael Omartian Jamie Owens-Collins |
Twila Paris Sandi Patty Leon Patillo Charlie Peacock Petra Leslie Phillips Wintley Phipps Don Potter Praise Praise Strings Cliff Richard Deleon Richards Arthur Scales Steve Scott 2nd Chapter of Acts Servant Seventy Sevens George Beverly Shea Sheppard Johnson Holm Janet Lynn Skinner Richard Smallwood Singers Lulu Roman Smith Michael W. Smith Paul Smith Pops Staples Diane Steinberg-Lewis Randy Stonehill Russ Taff Talleys Steve Taylor B. J. Thomas Keith Thomas Tonio K. Kathy Troccoli Evylyn Turrentine-Agee Undercover Vector Greg X. Volz Albertina Walker H. Walker/Love Fellowship Choir Sheila Walsh Matthew Ward Wayne Watson Walt Whitman & the Soul Children Choir of Chicago White Heart Whites Thomas Whitfield Roger Whittaker Williams Brothers Allan T. Wiggins Daniel Winans Daniel Winans & Second Half World of Pentecost Choir Word Records X-Sinner |
WORD RECORDS DIVISIONS
CANAAN RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters Florida Boys Happy Goodman Family |
Inspirations Lefevres Rex Nelon Nelons |
|
DAY SPRING RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| |
Petra |
|
EXIT RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| |
|
Seventy-Sevens |
HOME SWEET HOME RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Archer Mark Heard |
|
B. J. Thomas White Heart |
I AM RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| |
Rod McGaha | Walt Whitman |
LIVE OAK RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| Janie Owens Collins | |
2nd Chapter of Acts |
MARANATHA RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| |
Peter & Hanneke Jacobs |
MYRRH RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Archer Dion Joe English Benny Hester |
Tanya Goodman Amy Grant Phil Keaggy Joe Ligon David Meece Petra Leslie Phillips |
Cliff Richard 2nd Chapter of Acts Seventy-Sevens Randy Stonehill Steve Taylor B. J. Thomas |
REJOICE RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| Clark Sisters |
|
|
REUNION RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| |
|
Michael W. Smith |
WHAT? RECORDS ARTIST ROSTER
| A - H | I - P | Q - Z |
|---|---|---|
| |
|
Tonio K. |
WORD RECORDS EMPLOYEES
| A - F | G - N | O - Z |
|---|---|---|
| Dean Arvidson Debbie Atkins Loren Balman John Barker James Bullard James Chaffey Jack Clark Rob Deam Mike Dworak |
Dorothy Gerlich Jim Gibson Ken Harding Dan Johnson Lynn Keesecker Marie Lehman Roland Lundy John Mays Jeff Moseley Stan Moser Lynn Nichols |
Jerry Park Karen Renfro Debra Rhodes Terri Short Rob Stewart Andrew Tempest Tom Willett (What? Records) Ken Wolgemuth |
MYRRH RECORDS EMPLOYEES
| A - F | G - N | O - Z |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn Bianchi |
Melissa Helm |
Lorri Seipensticker Tom Willett |
WORD RECORDS LABELS & LINERS
Stock label from Maranatha Records with Horizon Records stock number. Album pressed by RCA.
What? Records stock album label pressed by RCA Records
What? Records custom label pressed by RCA Records7
What? Records promotional 12" single label
What? Records promotional 12" single label
What? Records 12" custom label pressed by RCA Records
Canaan Records stock album label pressed by RCA Records
Dayspring Records stock album label pressed by RCA Records
Home Sweet Home Records stock album label pressed by RCA Records
I Am Records stock album label pressed by RCA Records
Live Oak Records stock album label pressed by RCA Records
Myrrh Records stock album label pressed by RCA Records
Rejoice Records 12" stock single label pressed by RCA Records
Reunion Records stock album label pressed by RCA Records
WORD RECORDS MUSIC TRADE ADS
WORD RECORDS FORMATS AND PRICES
| YEAR | SERIES | ALBUM | CASSETTE | CD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Word 8100 What? 0700 |
$8.98 $8.98 | $8.98 $8.98 | No set price No set price |
| 1989 | Word 8100 Word Videos 61700 What? 0700 |
$8.98 $19.98 VHS $8.98 |
$8.98 NA $8.98 |
No set price NA No set price |
SOURCES:
A&M Records retail catalogs.
