Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy and other blues legends available for download from libraries

 

Cleveland, OH – April 25, 2007 – OverDrive, a leading provider of digital media services, announced it will distribute music from the world’s largest independent blues label, Alligator Records.  A large list of blues artists will soon be available for download to the network of library partners of OverDrive, which includes more than 5,000 libraries worldwide.

Libraries in OverDrive’s network will soon have access to music from Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, and other top blues artists available through the Alligator Records label. The collection will add a large, quality list of blues music titles to OverDrive’s digital library of more than 100,000 video, music, eBook, and audio book titles – the only collected works that library patrons can browse, download and view or listen to all on a single system.

“Now, anywhere and at anytime, library patrons can hear the sounds of Chicago blues clubs with a Koko Taylor album and check out a video, audio book or eBook at the same time through a single system,” Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive said. “We hope libraries will take this opportunity to share the blues – a truly American genre of music – with their patrons.”

“We at Alligator Records are very excited to be working with a company committed to bringing this rich musical culture to library patrons in a cutting edge form – as a digital download,” Bruce Iglauer, president of Alligator Records said. “The partnership of OverDrive and Alligator will make our catalog of classic blues available to library patrons everywhere.”

With a catalog of over 200 titles, Alligator Records is the largest independent blues label in the world. Its recordings have won more awards than any other contemporary blues label, including a total of 34 Grammy© nominations (two wins), 18 Indie Awards from the Association For Independent Music (AFIM) and three Grand Prix du Disque awards. Titles from Alligator Records will be available from OverDrive later this year. Any library that supports OverDrive’s Digital Library Reserve platform will be able to purchase select Alligator Records blues titles for their online digital collections.

OverDrive provides patrons of member libraries the ability to download popular digital audio books, eBooks, music, video, and (coming soon) games & interactive software. OverDrive, through its web-based Digital Library Reserve platform, offers downloadable titles in a variety of popular formats including Microsoft Windows Media, Mobipocket, and Adobe Reader. To see if your library is a member of OverDrive’s network, and to find other titles of eBooks, audio books, music, and videos available from public libraries, search within the library web sites or go to www.overdrive.com/search.

 

About OverDrive, Inc.

OverDrive is a leader in providing world-class infrastructure for downloading premium digital content. We deliver secure management, protection and download services for hundreds of publishers and institutions (rights holders) and thousands of libraries, retailers and distributors serving millions of end users. With a global catalog of premium digital titles – including current best sellers – of eBooks, audio books, music, video and (coming soon) games & interactive software presentable in a single platform, OverDrive offers the industry’s best selection as well as the option to manage, protect and download proprietary content.  Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH.  www.OverDrive.com

Contacts:

Amber Webb

OverDrive, Inc.

216-573-6886 x220

awebb@OverDrive.com

 

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