The dominant music label in Hawaiian music is merging with another company. Distribution for the Mountain Apple Company will be taken over by Island Heritage, a division of the Madden Corporation. The new relationship will take effect November 1st.
Mountain Apple was founded in 1974 by Jon de Mello, who remains CEO of the company. The label distributes CD’s and DVDs by a wide range of artists, including Bruddah Iz, the Brothers Cazimero and Amy Hanaiali’i. Island Heritage distributes clothing, books, calendars, food and other Hawai‘i-themed accessories.
In a letter to Mountain Apple’s retail partners, de Mello said changes in the business of recorded music have “forced the industry to adapt in order to maintain success in the distribution arena.” De Mello says he also looks forward to producing new Hawaiian music.
Further details of the arrangement are expected in coming days.
