Exceleration Music strikes long-term alliance with the estate of Justin Townes Earle
Exceleration Music has struck a long-term agreement with the estate of the late celebrated singer and songwriter Justin Townes Earle.
Exceleration, a company which invests in independent labels and artists and works to develop their legacies, has acquired the rights to Earle’s recordings between 2008 and 2012, a period when he recorded some of his most acclaimed albums including “Harlem River Blues”, “The Good Life” and “Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now”.
The deal extends beyond the term of his licensing agreement with Bloodshot Records (who Exceleration also recently acquired). The Exceleration Music team will work alongside the Estate to ensure his catalogue of remarkable recordings and songs are celebrated, recognised, and amplified across the global digital and physical market.
An unsparingly personal singer-songwriter, Earle drew on a range of American music genres, from folk to soul to country blues, to write compelling songs that explored the darker side of the human experience. His songs of frailty, courage and redemption saw him gain a dedicated following and thrust him into the limelight as an emerging star of the “Americana” movement of the 2000s and 2010s. Earle never shied away from writing about the challenges in his life, from his complicated relationship with his family (he was the son of Steve Earle, the acclaimed singer-songwriter who drifted out of, then back into Justin Townes’ early life) and his problems with addiction. Earle tragically passed away from an accidental overdose in August of 2020.
This deal sees Earle’s catalogue join a growing roster of investments and partnerships from Exceleration. Founded by leading indie sector executives Glen Barros, John Burk, Charles Caldas, Amy Dietz, and Dave Hansen, Exceleration recently announced its acquisition of maverick US label Bloodshot Records and has also partnered with legendary Chicago label, Alligator Records (celebrating its 50th anniversary this year). Exceleration has also acquired the venerable jazz label Candid Records, and partnered with the renowned Ray Charles Foundation, with which they launched the recent True Genius box set and digital campaign.
Exceleration partner Charles Caldas said, “I believe, as many of his fans do, that Justin Townes’ songs and recordings deserve much wider acclaim and recognition than he achieved in his lifetime. It is humbling to have this opportunity to work alongside his estate to ensure that his music continues to be discovered and celebrated, and most importantly to work to make sure that his extraordinary legacy as a songwriter and recording artist brings him the recognition he deserves.”
Laurens Kusters, representative of the Justin Townes Earle estate, said of the deal, “we are very excited to take on the next chapter with the great team at Exceleration Music. After we lost Justin, we crafted a plan of how his legacy will be immortalized. Exceleration Music is a crucial addition to the team to make that happen.”
Jennifer Earle added “I am truly touched by the appreciation that Exceleration Music has for Justin and am very much excited about combining forces with our collective visions to honor his legacy as a songwriter, husband and father to Etta.”
About Exceleration Music
Exceleration Music is a partnership of global music industry leaders who have come together to invest in the future of independent labels and artists. Exceleration offers personalized solutions to entrepreneurs seeking capital to achieve growth as well as those trying to achieve liquidity or an honorable exit — preserving and enhancing the legacies of both the entrepreneurs and their artists alike. To date, Exceleration has strategic relationships with Alligator Records, Candid Records, Bloodshot Records and the Ray Charles Foundation. Learn more at www.excelerationmusic.com.