NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orchard, the world's leading supplier and marketer of independent music, announced today a worldwide distribution partnership with The Legendary Henry Stone, the label founded by Henry Stone, the world-renowned pioneer of the record industry. Through The Orchard's unparalleled distribution and marketing platform, the catalogue which includes thousands of rare classics by artists such as Ray Charles, James Brown, Earl Hooker, Steve Alaimo, Nat Kendrick and The Swans, Yvonne Fair, and Lightnin Hopkins will be digitally distributed and actively marketed in the leading global digital music services.

Henry Stone is a legend in the recording industry. As a producer, he was one of the first to record Ray Charles and James Brown and launched several successful record labels before spending the balance of his career as a pioneering distributor, distributing Rhythm and Blues and Rock and Roll before any major labels had taken an interest. The company has spent the past few years meticulously archiving and digitizing its rare, out-of-print catalogue.

"I am thrilled to be joining with The Orchard, the world's leading distributor and marketer of digital music," said Henry Stone. "I am so pleased that The Orchard will insure that future generations of music lovers
will have the access to the greatest artists and songs of the past. No other company offers such a strong marketing and merchandising engine in the digital space. I look forward to getting this music back to fans worldwide."

"We are overjoyed to work with Henry Stone," said Richard Gottehrer, Chairman and Founder of The Orchard. "I've known Henry throughout my career and his wealth of knowledge and unique catalogue make him an invaluable resource to music lovers. Together, we will bring a history of music to people that would have lost out on such great recordings."

"The Legendary Henry Stone Presents is another outstanding addition to The Orchard," said Greg Scholl, managing director of Dimensional Associates and chief executive of The Orchard. "We look forward to working with our digital music partners to ensure Henry Stone's life's work reaches the audience it so richly deserves."