Verve Forecast Relaunched With Adult Contemporay Artists

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The Verve Music Group, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, has expanded into the burgeoning and often overlooked adult contemporary market with the re-launching of its Forecast label, the original home to many of music's most acclaimed singer songwriters. The Verve Forecast imprint will be home to all non-jazz artists signed under the Verve Music Group umbrella.

Susan Tedeschi, Rhett Miller of the Old 97s, Teddy Thompson, Sacramento-based singer/songwriter Jackie Greene and Chiara Civello are among the first acts signed.

Formed in 1967, Forecast (originally Folkways) burst onto the scene with albums by Laura Nyro, Tim Hardin, Richie Havens, The Blues Project, and the Velvet Underground, among others.

"Our expansion into adult contemporary is a natural evolution for us," stated Ron Goldstein, president and CEO of the Verve Music Group. "Verve has enjoyed great crossover success with jazz projects including Diana Krall, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Lizz Wright and most recently, Jamie Cullum and with the innovative 'Verve Remixed' albums. It is our belief that the audience that is buying music by these artists as well as by Norah Jones, Josh Groban and Rod Stewart is hungry for more. Our staff is focused and well-positioned to take advantage of traditional and non-traditional marketing opportunities. We are excited about the re-launch of Forecast and we look forward to continuing the original Verve label's tradition of fostering great talent at a time when music lovers are re-embracing the true artistry of the genre in droves." –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen