"We are delighted to begin a new chapter in our history by partnering with S/R/E," said Ardent President John Fry. "We feel a strong bond of shared commitment to ministry, authenticity, and excellence. The resources of S/R/E and the INO/Integrity system will provide exciting new opportunities for our artists while allowing us to continue to identify and nurture innovative artists and produce records with the independent spirit which has focused the attention of music fans on Memphis for decades."

The Ardent partnership places S/R/E firmly on the map of active rock labels in the Christian market, just two months following its formation. S/R/E's release schedule for 2005 already includes the June 7 release from DISCIPLE, and will now feature a summer release from Todd Agnew, and late fall release from Jonah 33. In addition to the advantage this gives S/R/E, Ardent welcomes the marketing and distribution facets the staff at S/R/E is uniquely positioned with, and the skills they have to provide these artists with opportunities and outlets they may have not had before.

"We are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to work with Ardent Records. They have an amazing history of being involved with some great rock records, from both the studio side and the label. I believe the Ardent team will continue to develop and record relevant and excellent music,” states Steve Ford, S/R/E's Vice President/General Manager. “To work with another label that desires to impact culture with music is refreshing and fun. “

Ardent Records, based in Memphis, TN, issued its first Christian releases in 1995, kicking off with initial projects by Big Tent Revival, Skillet and Smalltown Poets. Drawing on the production resources and expertise of Ardent Studios, which since 1966 has created general market hits by artists as diverse as the Staple Singers, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, R.E.M., The Gin Blossoms, and Three Doors Down, Ardent Records has compiled a 10 year history of successful albums culminating with recent top selling releases by Skillet and Todd Agnew. For more information on Ardent, please go to http://www.ardentrecords.com.

INO Records launched S/R/E in early January 2005. Run by industry veteran Ford, the label was the brain-child of INO Records' president, Jeff Moseley, who sees the incredible growth pattern of the genre in the mainstream as well as in Christian music industries. Partnering with Epic Records, S/R/E will have distribution both in the mainstream and CBA markets for Agnew and Jonah 33, while Skillet maintains their general market relationship with Lava records.