eMusic: A&R Program Paid $100K to Artists in First Year

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 10, 2009 - 2:24pm.

New York - Digital music service eMusic said on Tuesday that it has paid out about $100,000 to unsigned bands over the past year, as part of its eMusic Selects A&R initiative. The program sees eMusic staff select one or two deserving but underpromoted artists each month, who receive top billing and editorial coverage on the site. Since last February, 11 unsigned artists have earned nearly $100,000 in royalties through their participation in the program, and three have been signed to independent labels.