UK's biggest Christian music company Kingsway to become Integrity Music
IN A SURPRISE move Britain's largest Christian music company, Kingsway, have announced that from 1st October they will be known as Integrity Music. This follows the acquisition in June 2011 of Integrity Music by Kingsway's American parent company David C Cook, since which time both labels have operated as one unified team. Read a company statement, "We have spent these months sharing experience and expertise with a common goal to serve the local church through songs of substance. We now feel that it is time to unite and work in the future as one global music label. The rebranding is the result of a period of careful global research, which revealed that Integrity Music had stronger recognition within the international worship community. The decision to move away from the much-loved Kingsway name was not taken lightly but necessary in bringing clarity and focus to those we serve."
The statement continued, "By fully unifying the two labels we now have the opportunity to steward the ministries of songwriters including Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Israel Houghton, Paul Baloche, Stuart Townend, Brenton Brown, Kathryn Scott, Graham Kendrick, Desperation Band, All Sons & Daughters, Lou Fellingham, ALM UK, Ben Cantelon and Rend Collective Experiment. The existing songs of Kingsway artists and UK songwriters will continue to be published by ThankYou Music, in partnership with co-owners EMI CMG Publishing. The newly rebranded Integrity Music will continue to be distributed in the UK and mainland Europe by Kingsway Distribution.
The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.
The word "Integrity" has no direct relationship to the genre of "Christian" music that is being foisted on the Believers of Jesus Christ. "Let the buyer beware" is an old saying, but never more true than in these turbulent times! Money, not ministry, seems to be the more compelling reason for the creation of this sort of "music" God help us in our lack of discernment on matters of faith!