What Alligator Records does

Alligator Records is an independent blues music record label founded in 1971 in Chicago, Illinois by Bruce Iglauer, who remains President. The label was created specifically to record Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers and has grown into one of the world's leading blues labels, with a catalog spanning 55+ years and hundreds of releases from artists including Hound Dog Taylor, Carey Bell, Big Walter Horton, Dave Hole, Eddy Clearwater, and contemporary Grammy-nominated artists such as Tommy Castro, Marcia Ball, and Anders Osborne. Its operating scope is global, with worldwide distribution handled by Redeye Worldwide and ADA (a Warner Music Group-owned independent distribution network).

The company sells physical music (CDs at $16.98, Vinyl LPs at $34.98–$39.98) and digital albums through the alligator.com e-commerce storefront and third-party platforms (iTunes, Amazon), complemented by merchandise (t-shirts, posters, publicity photos, books, DVDs) and gift certificates. Ancillary revenue comes from film/TV/advertising music licensing ([email protected]) and international sales. The proprietary technology is modest: an integrated e-commerce website with SSL-secured checkout, a custom jukebox/Alligator Radio streaming player, an email newsletter system, and embedded YouTube video — there is no public API, no mobile app, and no AI/ML infrastructure. Marketing relies on the website, email, social media, and earned media through blues press (American Blues Scene, Blues Blast, Living Blues Magazine) and radio promotion.

The business is a privately held, founder-controlled independent label with 11–50 employees, no institutional investment, no subsidiaries, and no M&A activity. The go-to-market is hybrid: direct-to-consumer via alligator.com supplemented by channel partnerships (Redeye, ADA) for wholesale distribution. Pricing is unit-based (pay-as-you-go) on physical goods with free standard U.S. shipping and tiered gift certificates. Award validation has been consistent, including Blues Music Awards (1997, 2004, 2025), the Blues Hall of Fame (Hound Dog Taylor, 1984), and 16 Living Blues Award nominations in the most recent cycle.

Name

Alligator Records

Legal name

Alligator Records

Website

https://alligator.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded in 1971, selling physical and digital music, merchandise, and licensing worldwide through its own e-commerce store and distributors Redeye Worldwide and ADA (Warner Music Group).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Blues Record Label

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225)

SIC

Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Download Stores & Digital Music Retail (Transactional) (MPAIACAM), Brand Partnerships & Music Placement Services (Non-Exclusive Brand Deals) (MPAIALAM)

Keywords

• Independent blues label
• Record label
• Music licensing services
• Vinyl and CD sales
• Blues music catalog

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Music Sales: Revenue from CD, vinyl LP, and digital album sales through the alligator.com store and third-party platforms like iTunes and Amazon. New releases featured on homepage drive immediate sales.
2. Merchandise: Sale of artist merchandise including t-shirts, posters, publicity photos, books, and instructional materials through the online store.
3. Distribution Partnerships: Worldwide distribution through Redeye Worldwide and ADA (Warner Music Group) generates revenue from physical and digital sales through third-party retailers globally.
4. Licensing: Film, TV, and advertising music licensing available through [email protected], allowing use of catalog music in visual media.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alligator Records is an independent blues music record label founded in 1971 that produces, markets, and distributes blues recordings in physical (CDs and vinyl LPs) and digital formats. The label operates a direct-to-consumer online store selling music, branded merchandise, and gift certificates, and also licenses its catalog to film, TV, advertising, and radio outlets. The roster features Grammy-nominated blues artists such as Tommy Castro, Marcia Ball, and Anders Osborne alongside legends like Hound Dog Taylor and Carey Bell.

Product overview

Alligator Records is a blues music record label founded in 1971, operating as a single-brand music publisher and retailer. The company offers physical music products (CDs and Vinyl LPs), digital downloads via iTunes and Amazon, and merchandise (apparel, photos, posters, books, DVDs). Supporting features include Alligator Radio audio streaming, an interactive Jukebox player for track previews, a complete online store with gift certificates, and a mailing list for newsletters. The label's catalog features Grammy-nominated blues artists including Tommy Castro, Marcia Ball, and Anders Osborne, with releases spanning legendary artists like Hound Dog Taylor, Carey Bell, Big Walter Horton, Dave Hole, and Eddy Clearwater.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Music (CDs and Vinyl LPs) Blues music albums released on physical CD and Vinyl LP formats, with a catalog spanning 55+ years and featuring artists like Hound Dog Taylor, Carey Bell, Big Walter Horton, Dave Hole, Eddy Clearwater, Tommy Castro, Marcia Ball, and Anders Osborne. Available directly through the Alligator.com store and through global wholesale distribution.
• Digital Music Downloads Digital album downloads of the Alligator Records catalog available through iTunes and Amazon, including full album releases from all roster artists in standard digital formats for individual consumer purchase.
• Branded Merchandise (Apparel, Photos, Posters, Books, DVDs)
• Gift Certificates
• Music Licensing for Film, TV, and Advertising

Quantifiable outcome

• Artists receive consistent industry recognition with 16 Living Blues Award nominations and 7 Blues Music Awards in recent periods

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 305 SpinminorOthersWeb publishing and hosting partner for alligator.com website
• Redeye WorldwidecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide distribution partner handling physical and digital music distribution globally
• ADA (Warner Music Group)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent sales, marketing & distribution network owned by the Warner Music Group, serving international markets

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Malaco Records: Jackson, Mississippi-based independent label focused on blues, gospel, and R&B with a deep historical catalog, directly comparable as a long-standing niche-genre indie label.
• Rounder Records: Independent roots, blues, and folk label (now part of Concord) with deep catalog of blues and Americana artists, comparable as a multi-decade indie label reliant on worldwide distribution and awards recognition.
• Fat Possum Records: Independent blues and indie rock label founded in Oxford, Mississippi, with a celebrated catalog of juke-joint and modern blues artists, comparable to Alligator in genre focus and indie label operating model.
• Bloodshot Records: Chicago-based independent label known for alt-country and roots/blues rosters with physical and digital distribution, comparable as an indie label in similar genres operating out of the same hometown.
• Earwig Music Company: Small independent blues label focused on traditional and contemporary acoustic/electric blues with distribution through mainstream channels, directly comparable to Alligator as a niche indie blues catalog operator.
• Delmark Records: Chicago-based independent blues and jazz label with a long history of artist development, directly comparable to Alligator as a similarly sized, similarly distributed independent blues label in the same hometown.
• Stony Plain Records: Canadian independent label specializing in blues, roots, and folk music with a curated catalog and consistent award recognition, comparable to Alligator as a focused indie blues/roots label.
• Blind Pig Records: Independent blues label specializing in contemporary and traditional blues artists, comparable as a long-running indie blues catalog with similar artist rosters and award recognition.

Broad incumbents

• HMG/Concord Music Group: Larger independent label group that owns Rounder and other roots catalogs, comparable as a broader indie incumbent that also distributes blues-adjacent catalogs and competes for the same artist pool and licensing opportunities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgJmB2R4j0
• Xx.com/alligator1971
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlligatorRecords
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alligator-records

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alligator Records