National Geographic is now broadening its music initiative considerably, and pushing into recording, publishing, television, touring, and digital arenas. The fresh division, dubbed National Geographic Music and Radio, is launching with the support of distribution partners like Clear Channel, Salem Communications and NPR. "National Geographic Music and Radio will engage listeners with great talk and sound, and also offer artists and experts who care about global culture and the environment an outlet to create awareness for important issues," said Tim Kelly, president and chief executive of National Geographic Ventures.

The undertaking follows a move by National Geographic into digital music last summer, one that rallied a number of world music content distributors. That offering, available at worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com, is now part of a far broader push. According to the team, Music and Radio will encompass music supervision for films and the National Geographic channel, as well as a suite of internet radio stations. It also involves live concerts, a record label, and the management of roughly 12,000 publishing assets.

The company also stressed that the initiative would help to address societal and environmental issues, and pointed to the support of concerned artists like Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and Peter Gabriel. "Through our various units, we will be able to create an emotional connection for our listeners with the planet," said David Beal, head of publishing, label and radio aspects.

Labels: Ben Harper, Digital Music News, Green radio, Jack Johnson, National Geographic, Peter Gabriel

NUGS.NET ENLISTS DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, JACK JOHNSON
PHISH, GRATEFUL DEAD & OTHERS FOR A
LIVE DOWNLOAD COMPILATION TO BENEFIT ROCK THE EARTH
MUSIC FOR THE PLANET: a nugs.net BENEFIT ALBUM FOR ROCK THE EARTH
TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Los Angeles, CA Nugs.net, the leader in live music downloads, has assembled another all-star compilation of exclusive live tracks to raise money for several Rock the Earth campaigns to defend environmental resources in the US. Nugs.net artist partners donated the recordings for this compilation, including an exclusive release from Jack Johnson. Other artists contributing to the benefit compilation include Dave Matthews Band, Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread Panic, The String Cheese Incident, The Disco Biscuits, The Radiators, Trey Anastasio, Gov't Mule, STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9), Zero, Umphrey's McGee, moe. and ALO. Nugs.net and the 15 artists featured on the benefit release organized this compilation out of their dedication to providing continued support for the worldwide environmental community.

Nugs. net and all the artists involved will donate 100% of all profits from the sales of this environmental resources compilation to Rock the Earth, a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity. Director Marc Ross proudly claims, "Rock the Earth champions environmental and public health issues, and all the artists on Music for the Planet and nugs. net wanted to help these worthy causes for Earth Day 2007. We work closely with the music industry and its fans, many of whom are concerned with the fate of our public lands, air and water. We act as advocates to ensure the existence of a sustainable and healthy environment for all. Further, we aim to represent those individuals and communities whose environment or natural surroundings are directly and adversely affected by the actions of others." Nugs. net founder Brad Serling adds, "We feel extremely fortunate to have the unwavering support of our artist clients for this fundraiser." This two CD benefit compilation album will be available for $10.95 as MP3 downloads and $15.95 as CD-quality FLAC downloads. It is also available in a two-CD format for $25 which includes a one-year membership in Rock the Earth. To purchase, go to LiveDownloads.com and help support nugs.net's efforts to defend our natural resources.

Music For The Planet: a nugs.net benefit for Rock the Earth

DISC ONE
1) Widespread Panic: From The Cradle 04:43 11/3/06 Austin, TX
2) moe.: Blue Jeans Pizza 07:59 2/9/07 Boston, MA
3) Phish: Tube 10:44 12/29/97 New York, NY
4) Zero: Ermaline 11:00 2/2/07 San Francisco, CA
5) Jack Johnson: Banana Pancakes 03:10 4/22/06 Waikiki, HI
6) STS9: Hi-Key 05:31 12/29/06 Atlanta, GA
7) Gov't Mule: Unring The Bell 09:20 10/22/06 Portland, OR
8) The Radiators: River Run 10:17 2/16/07 New Orleans, LA

DISC TWO
1) The String Cheese Incident: Piece of Mine 06:55 3/24/07 Denver, CO
2) Grateful Dead: Eyes of the World 12:20 12/31/76 San Francisco, CA
3) Umphrey's McGee: Morning Song 07:35 12/30/06 Chicago, IL
4) Trey Anastasio: Simple Twist Up Dave 12:03 10/27/06 Las Vegas, NV
5) The Disco Biscuits: Helicopters 09:56 12/31/06 Camden, NJ
6) ALO: Plastic Bubble 05:29 6/1/05 Berkeley, CA
7) Dave Matthews Band: Warehouse 09:58 8/7/04 Alpine Valley, WI

Labels: Dave Matthews Band, Disco Biscuits, Grateful Dead, Jack Johnson, Rock the Earth