02/17/2022

BOB FRANK ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES PORTION OF CHARLIE DANIELS BLUE HAT RECORDS

Nashville, Tenn. (Feb. 17, 2022) — Bob Frank Entertainment (BFE) has bought into the late Charlie Daniels’ catalog of masters, becoming equal partners with Blue Hat Records and the Daniels Estate. BFE CEO Bob Frank now owns one third of the catalog with remaining equal portions belonging to Blue Hat Records (David Corlew) and the Daniels Estate (Hazel Daniels and Charlie Daniels, Jr.).
 
“This transaction will be the first of many for BFE’s new privately funded investment arm, Red Shark Ventures, which is focused on catalog masters,” explains Frank. "What better way to launch this effort then with our longtime partner Blue Hat Records who we have been in business with for over 20 years. With such a deep and historic archive, we already have a strong release schedule through 2023.”
 
"We have been distribution partners with Bob Frank for over 20 years,” adds Corlew, Daniels’ longtime manager. "This purchase allows us to work even closer with Bob and his team to continue Charlie's musical legacy in a much larger way. Bob has many years of experience with major labels and distribution, which will allow us to reach into a global market that we haven't really touched, as well as provide a new domestic awareness to one of the oldest independent artist-owned labels. Hazel, Charlie Jr., and I are very excited about this new venture.”
 
Upcoming projects include a digital and vinyl release of the very first Volunteer Jam, held in 1974 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. The album will include previously unreleased live tracks of some of Daniels’ biggest hit songs.
 
“Charlie Jr., David and I are thrilled to welcome Bob into our family,” says Hazel Daniels. “Charlie loved working with him so we feel this partnership is a perfect fit."
 
“We couldn’t be happier with this deal and becoming partners with David Corlew and Hazel Daniels,” notes Frank.
 
About Charlie Daniels
From his Dove Award-winning gospel albums to his genre-defining southern rock anthems and his CMA Award-winning country hits, few artists have left a more indelible mark on America's musical landscape than the late Charlie Daniels. An outspoken patriot, beloved mentor, and a true road warrior, Daniels parlayed his passion for music into a multi-platinum career and a platform to support the military, underprivileged children, and others in need. The Charlie Daniels Band has long populated radio with memorable hits and his signature song, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Over the course of his career, Daniels received numerous accolades, including his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame and becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Daniels helped to shine the spotlight on the many causes that were close to his heart. He was a staunch supporter of the military and gave his time and talent to numerous charitable organizations, including The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, which he founded in 2014 with his manager, David Corlew, to help veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Daniels passed away on July 6, 2020. He was 83.
 
For more information, visit charliedaniels.com.
 
About Bob Frank Entertainment
Bob Frank Entertainment (BFE) was formed in 2012 as a multi-faceted entertainment company with current ownership interests in Damson Lane Productions (film and TV), Red River Entertainment & BFR (record labels), Admiral Lane Songs and Corlew Frank Music (music publishing), BFD (distribution) and Fusion Entertainment (booking agency and management). In 2021, BFE launched Red Shark Ventures (RSV) as its private investment arm with a focus on catalog master acquisitions.
 
For more information, visit bobfrankent.com.
 
About Blue Hat Records
An astute businessman as well as talented musician, the late Charlie Daniels launched Blue Hat Records in1997 with his longtime personal manager David Corlew. The label has released such memorable albums as Blues Hat, Tailgate Party, Road Dogs, Fiddle Fire: 25 Years of the Charlie Daniels Band and his first bluegrass album 2005’s — Songs From the Longleaf Pines — and 2007’s Deuces, featuring duets with Brad Paisley, Gretchen Wilson, Bonnie Bramlett, Travis Tritt, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Brenda Lee, Darius Rucker and more. Additionally, Blue Hat teamed with Walmart in 1997 to release the retail giant’s first-ever exclusive album, Blues Hat. Blue Hat’s Country Stars ’N’ Stripes was released by Cracker Barrel in 2008, becoming the second exclusive project to be released by the national restaurant chain.
 
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Charlie Daniels