Nashville-Based 8 Pound Gorilla Records Specializes In Family Music

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A new record label specializing in children’s and family music has launched in Nashville. 8 Pound Gorilla Records is a division of the noted comedy label 800 Pound Gorilla Media.

8 Pound Gorilla Records has tapped Kenny Curtis (SiriusXM Kids Place Live) to handle A&R, and Ed Rivadavia as Head of Marketing. 800 Pound Gorilla Media Head of Music Luke Youngblom handles that role at both labels.

8 Pound Gorilla has scheduled releases by Genevieve Goings (known for her work with Disney Jr.), comedian-musician Mike Phirman, pop songwriting duo Rabbit!, and Sesame Street songwriter Erica Rabner. In the fall of 2020, it released music by Australia’s Formidable Vegetable and Grammy-nominee Frances England.

Curtis said, “These are artists who go way beyond ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ when they write songs for kids. These are honest, well-crafted songs that speak to kids in their world today. Family dynamics are changing as millennials become parents, and there’s a new appetite for music and content that families can share. For artists, the possibilities of working in this genre are endless, and we give them free rein to imagine and create their own ‘8 pounds’ of fun.”

Also signed to the label are award winners Elliott Park, Tim Kubart, SaulPaul, The Lucky Band, RAII & Whitney and DJ WillyWow.

Youngblom said, “The children’s music genre is clearly untapped. With many talented artists not yet recognized in the mainstream, we hope to change that. We are developing a nimble indie approach to this niche genre, and we will individualize our process with each artist as we grow this space, releasing original music that only a few major labels have been able to undertake.”

The comedy label 800 Pound Gorilla Media was founded by Ryan Bitzer and Damion Greiman, and is home to Marc Maron, George Lopez, Kathleen Madigan, Affion Crockett and Kevin Hart’s LOL Records.

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