came into being in 1995 when Jeff Simpson left his position as an Executive at Disney Studios to become President and CEO of a new entertainment company. Simpson and his partners acquired Embryo Music, Joyspring Records, Lightwave Records and the independent wholesale distributor Excel Distribution. Since 1995, Excel Entertainment Group, Inc. has grown dramatically to become a complete entertainment company.
Embryo Records continued to lead the way in producing sacred and inspirational recordings until it was replaced in 2002 with the inspirational imprint Lumen Records. Leading the way on Lumen is acclaimed composer and songwriter Kenneth Cope. Joyspring Records also continues its fine tradition of producing outstanding instrumental albums, with the award-winning folk ensemble Enoch Train anchoring the label.
In 1996, Highway Records was created to replace Lightwave Records as a label for contemporary faith-centered artists and recordings. Representing such popular artists as Julie de Azevedo and Greg Simpson, Highway recently picked up nationally renowned folk artist Shane Jackman, and co-released new artist Maren Ord’s debut album, “Waiting,” with Capitol Records. Highway Records has also produced the soundtracks to the hit independent films, God’s Army, Brigham City and The Other Side of Heaven. The label was awarded with the FCMA Pearl Award for Record Label of the Year in 2000 and 2001.
The record label family grew once again in 2000 with the addition of Little Stream Records. The label produces children’s recordings, and has taken over production of the very popular Primary Program Series, an annual recording of music for children.
While the record labels were developing and growing, Excel Distribution became a leading distributor of entertainment to the Intermountain Region and to LDS bookstores all over the world. Excel Distribution not only distributed product from its sister divisions (the four record labels), but it also distributed products from top-selling regional artists and national artists like Amy Grant and Jars of Clay. With the successful AutoOrder and Auto MEK (merchandising event kit) programs, Excel Distribution earned a reputation for lightening fast fulfillment, outstanding customer service and high quality products. Excel Distribution also maintains an online retail presence through the web site ClickTo BuyOnline.com. Customers who make purchases from ClickToBuyOnline.com are given a 100% satisfaction guarantee—if they don’t like an item they have purchased, they may return it for 100% of the purchase price, regardless of whether or not the item has been opened.
In May 2002, AC Nielsen EDI ranked Excel Motion Picture Distribution among the top ten of limited release film distributors nationally. Just two years earlier, in March 2000, Excel Distribution had ventured into the world of theatrical film distribution with the release of the independent film God’s Army. The film went on to become one of the top-grossing independent films of 2000. Subsequently, in January 2001, Excel Distribution split into two sister divisions. Excel Retail Distribution continues to be a leader in the wholesale distribution of high quality music and video while Excel Motion Picture Distribution handles the theatrical release of independent film. The Motion Picture division has grown rapidly, successfully releasing and marketing films in nearly every market in the United States and grossing over $9 million over four films.
In addition to producing award-winning recordings and distributing all kinds of best-selling entertainment, Excel Entertainment Group has begun producing music-based television programs for broadcast. In December 2000, Excel produced an hour-long Christmas special called “Christmas from Studio B”. The program featured eleven of the most popular performing artists from the Intermountain West in an intimate concert setting, and was broadcast three times on KJZZ-TV (with additional rebroadcasts in December 2001). In 2002 the program was nominated for a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award.
