Under the agreements, EMI CMG Distribution will provide worldwide distribution, including all physical and digital product sales in both Christian and mainstream retail markets and digital and international sales, according to Greg Bays, Sr. Vice President, Sales and Marketing for EMI CMG Distribution.

Eddie DeGarmo, president of EMI CMG Publishing also announced a joint publishing venture with Ee-Taow that includes all writers and songs signed by the new label, starting with Unhindered. EMI CMG Publishing will administer all copyrights, include exploitation for music, gaming, advertising and TV.

International youth outreach organization Teen Mania Ministries created EE-Taow Records to develop the next generation of worship musicians and songwriters. Teen Mania’s founder and president Ron Luce heads up the new label along with veteran manager Tony Patoto (delirious). EE-Taow aims to provide its young audience with an authentic, relevant worship experience. Unhindered, the Atlanta-based band that has already developed a passionate following because of its participation in Teen Mania’s Acquire the Fire events, Battle Cry gatherings, Xtreme conferences and Student Life camps is the label’s first signing.

"EMI CMG Distribution is known for its support of relevant musicians and ministries with the goal of positively impacting today's culture," says President and Founder of Teen Mania Ministries and EE-Taow Records, Ron Luce. "EE-Taow Records is excited to build on the momentum of their live events by making EE-Taow records available everywhere music is sold around the world,”

“Teen Mania is one of America’s most influential youth ministries and music plays a pivotal role in their mission. EMI CMG is honored to be their distribution partner to help Ee-Taow Records take its music ministry from stadiums to retail and digital outlets everywhere. We look forward to working with our retail and digital customers to get the music into the hands of youth all over the world,” said Bays.

“Unhindered knows how to create worship music that fuels a passion for God among youth and has already connected with a big audience thanks to Teen Mania and Acquire the Fire. We intend to work tirelessly to find even more opportunities for their music and are truly honored that Ron Luce and Tony Patoto have entrusted us to handle their publishing,” said DeGarmo.

Rock worship band Unhindered comprises Ben Smith (keyboards, vocals), Pat Barrett (guitar, vocals), J.R. Collins (bass), Christian Paschall (drums), and Ashley Dasher (guitar). Hailing from Atlanta, Unhindered’s independent release, City Streets (2005), sold more than 30,000 copies, creating a buzz among industry circles and garnering the attention of Teen Mania Ministries, where they soon became a fixture on the Acquire the Fire circuit and other Teen Mania events.

Produced by Scotty Willbanks (NewSong, Third Day, DecembeRadio), Unhindered’s debut album Be delivers compelling melodies, prominent hooks, energetic performances, and lyrics that are full-to-bursting with honest expressions of worship and adoration.

“We want our music to bring people into an encounter with God,” says keyboardist and co-frontman Ben Smith. “One of the biggest obstacles to worship is believers who are self-conscious. We hope that Be will encourage listeners to really feel free to worship.”

Despite being a debut artist for the label, Unhindered, with its relationship to Teen Mania, brings a sophisticated grassroots effort that means awareness among the potential consumer audience is higher than your typical new artist. According to Bays, this gives EMI CMG Distribution an established platform from which to introduce the band to retailers and consumers. The band, having already performed at almost every Acquire the Fire event in the US for the last three years, will play to more than 200,000 people at events in the coming year and a TV documentary on the band’s rising through the ranks of Acquire the Fire and the Teen Mania ministry is in production.

EMI CMG Distribution has included Unhindered in its NOW HEAR THIS CAMPAIGN and will promote the record with an aggressive $7.99 suggested retail price.

For more information, visit the following websites:
http://www.emicmgdistribution.com/
http://www.emicmgpublishing.com/
http://www.unhinderedworship.com/
http://www.eetaowrecords.com/
http://www.teenmania.com/