The Orchard, the noted digital music and entertainment company, started in 1997 by Sire Records co-founder, producer Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, Go Gos) and actor Scott Cohen (The Gilmore Girls, Law and Order).
Founded by lawyer Steve Gottlieb in 1985, TVT began as the outlet for Tee Vee Toons--hence the label's name--a series of albums collecting the theme songs to classic shows and commercials from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. With the success of these the label branched out into signing artists and Nine Inch Nails became the first--and for a while, the only--artist on TVT. Dealing in mostly alt-rock and subsequently expanding heavily into hip-hop, the label flourished throughout the '90s, but was forced to declare bankruptcy in February of last year after losing a $4.6 million dollar judgement in a case brought about by Slip-N-Slide Records Inc alleging "tortious, or intentional, interference with advantageous business relationships".
In a statement released to the press Gottlieb was quoted as saying, "After 23 years and 25 plus Gold and Platinum releases, I am delighted to see TVT's catalogue and roster move to a company so deeply engaged in developing the digital future of the music business." The Orchard's acquisition of TVT is due to take place on July 3rd. Gottlieb still retains ownership of the TVT Music publishing arm.
[Thanks to '5" contributor Jeff Kent for his assistance with this post.]
