About Windham Hill Records
Windham Hill Records was a subsidiary label originally owned by A&M records (and is now a sub label of Sony Music Entertainment as of 2008) from the mid-late 1970s through the late 1990s. It specialized in Acoustic, New Age, Contemporary/Smooth Jazz, and Folk music. The label was originally founded as an independent one by guitarist and carpenter, William Ackerman and wife Anne Robinson in 1976. The laber started out as an independent label for instrumental music, whereas Ackerman released his own material, later of other guitarists. It then expanded to include electronic and world music as well. That was what made the label known in the music industry as a New Age label. It even had Billboard-charting albums, mainly on the New Age genre charts. Windham Hill Records was best known for it's high quality in sound, groundbreaking music, "unique flagship collections", and tasteful album art of nature.
The label's records were distributed by A&M Records from 1979 (though it was independent from 1976-78) until 1989 when PolyGram purchased them. After that, in 1992 Will Ackerman sold half the company to BMG and in 1996, his wife Anne Ackerman sold her half.
Windham Hill Records was very successful and well-respected as a label during its height in the 1980s and 90s. It remained independent until 1992-1996 when BMG bought it. Private Music, which is also a BMG subsidiary label, has issued back-catalog releases under the Windham Hill Records imprint, according to Wikipedia. Because of Sony's buyout, Windham Hill no longer releases new albums by new age artists. However, they later have reissued albums and released compilations of previously recorded material now on CD and mp3 as part of Sony's Legacy Recordings brand.
If you wish to read more of the Wiki entry, click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windham_Hill_Records
If you are interested in learning about "Windham Hill Records On A&M Records", check out this site:
http://www.onamrecords.com/Windham_Hill.html
It gives you full history of the label's fame throughout the years and Will Ackerman's career as a record producer and musician.
I hope you enjoy your stay at the Windham Hill Memories blog and learn something valuable here.
The label's records were distributed by A&M Records from 1979 (though it was independent from 1976-78) until 1989 when PolyGram purchased them. After that, in 1992 Will Ackerman sold half the company to BMG and in 1996, his wife Anne Ackerman sold her half.
Windham Hill Records was very successful and well-respected as a label during its height in the 1980s and 90s. It remained independent until 1992-1996 when BMG bought it. Private Music, which is also a BMG subsidiary label, has issued back-catalog releases under the Windham Hill Records imprint, according to Wikipedia. Because of Sony's buyout, Windham Hill no longer releases new albums by new age artists. However, they later have reissued albums and released compilations of previously recorded material now on CD and mp3 as part of Sony's Legacy Recordings brand.
If you wish to read more of the Wiki entry, click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windham_Hill_Records
If you are interested in learning about "Windham Hill Records On A&M Records", check out this site:
http://www.onamrecords.com/Windham_Hill.html
It gives you full history of the label's fame throughout the years and Will Ackerman's career as a record producer and musician.
I hope you enjoy your stay at the Windham Hill Memories blog and learn something valuable here.
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