Big Heavy World
Big Heavy World is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1996 that preserves and promotes Vermont-made music through a community radio station, weekly podcast, 15+ compilation albums, a music licensing platform, and statewide community programs serving Vermont musicians, visitors, and music consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersBurlington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Big Heavy World does
Big Heavy World Foundation, Inc. is a Vermont-based 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by Executive Director Jim Lockridge, headquartered at 4 Howard Street, #A8, Burlington, VT. The organization operates as a statewide music archive, community radio broadcaster, and record label whose mission is the preservation and promotion of Vermont-made music. It is the recognized primary institution for Vermont music preservation, evidenced by a 2019 League of Local Historical Societies & Museums Award of Excellence.
The organization's core products and services span broadcasting, archival, commercial, and community programming. The Radiator (105.9FM) is a community radio station operated by Big Heavy World, and Rocket Shop is a weekly local music show/podcast airing Wednesdays 8–9pm and distributed as a podcast. The Vermont Music Library catalogs Vermont-made music across the organization's physical headquarters and online, while the record label has produced more than 15 compilation albums since 1996, including Sonic Tonic, Sullivan Square, In Silver Light, and the two-CD Thrufters & Throughstones (produced with the Vermont Folklife Center and Vermont Historical Society for the Lake Champlain Quadricentennial). A Vermont Music Licensing Platform launched in July 2023 enables media houses and businesses to license local music on demand. Supporting programs include a cooperative tour van lending service, USB microphone lending through all Vermont public libraries, jukebox installations at Vermont interstate welcome centers, the annual Make Music Day Vermont festival, the IndieCon music conference, Musicians for Musicians panels, the VT Music Far & Wide tiny museum exhibit, and the No Stage Diving documentary on 242 Main.
The revenue model is diversified but primarily grant-driven. Income streams include donations and grants (from the National Endowment for the Arts, Institute of Museum and Library Services, USDA Rural Development, Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Humanities, Burlington City Arts, NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, and others), merchandise sales (t-shirts and branded apparel), compilation album sales through Bandcamp, and music licensing fees from the 2023-launched licensing platform. Go-to-market is community-led: Big Heavy World operates through peer-to-peer musician networking (Musicians for Musicians panels), community radio, grassroots advocacy, and partnerships with state agencies, breweries (Magic Hat), performing arts venues (Main Street Landing), public access television (RETN), and statewide public radio (Vermont Public Radio). Primary customers/beneficiaries are Vermont-based musicians and bands, with secondary audiences of visitors to welcome centers, music consumers, and media licensing clients.
Big Heavy World firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Big Heavy World
- Legal name
- Big Heavy World Foundation, Inc.
- Website
- https://bigheavyworld.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Big Heavy World is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1996 that preserves and promotes Vermont-made music through a community radio station, weekly podcast, 15+ compilation albums, a music licensing platform, and statewide community programs serving Vermont musicians, visitors, and music consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Big Heavy World industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music & Arts Nonprofit Organization
- NAICS
- Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music & Audio Streaming Platforms (BPAMAJAC)
Keywords
Where Big Heavy World is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Big Heavy World business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of Big Heavy World branded merchandise including t-shirts and other items. Proceeds support the organization's work to archive and promote Vermont-made music.
- Album/Compilation Sales: Sale of compilation albums featuring Vermont artists through Bandcamp. Includes titles like Sonic Tonic, Thrufters & Throughstones, In Silver Light, and various HeavyFest compilations.
- Music Licensing: Vermont music licensing platform allowing media houses and businesses to license local music for commercial use.
- Donations and Grants: Donations from supporters, grant funding from organizations including National Endowment for the Arts, Vermont Arts Council, and others to support operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise sales |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Big Heavy World product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Big Heavy World is a Vermont nonprofit music organization that preserves and promotes Vermont-made music through a portfolio of interconnected programs: a community radio station (105.9FM The Radiator) broadcasting the weekly Rocket Shop local music show and podcast, an on-demand Vermont Music Licensing Platform, a record label producing compilation albums featuring Vermont artists, a Vermont Music Library archive, a cooperative tour van lending program, Welcome Center Jukebox installations, Make Music Day Vermont, and the VT Music Far & Wide museum exhibit. Customers include Vermont musicians seeking promotion and resources, media houses licensing local music commercially, and visitors/consumers discovering Vermont music.
Product overview
Big Heavy World is a Vermont-based nonprofit organization operating as a music archive, community radio station, and record label since 1996. The organization functions as a platform of interconnected programs: The Radiator (105.9 FM community radio) and Rocket Shop (weekly local music radio show/podcast) form the broadcast core; the Vermont Music Library and Licensing Platform provide archival and commercial licensing services; the record label produces compilation albums including Sonic Tonic, Sullivan Square, In Silver Light, and Thrufters & Throughstones; and supplementary programs include a cooperative tour van program, Welcome Center Jukeboxes, Make Music Day Vermont, the VT Music Far & Wide exhibit, music education resources, and the No Stage Diving documentary. All programs collectively serve to preserve and promote Vermont-made music.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Radiator: Community radio station 105.9FM operated by Big Heavy World featuring local music and programming.
- Rocket Shop
- Big Heavy World Record Label
- Vermont Jukebox Project
Products and services
- Compilation Albums (Record Label) A series of compilation albums produced by Big Heavy World's record label featuring Vermont musicians across genres (indie, alt-core, folk, singer-songwriter). Titles include Sonic Tonic, Sullivan Square, In Silver Light, Thrufters & Throughstones, and HeavyFest compilations. Sold digitally and physically via Bandcamp and the headquarters music shop.
- Vermont Music Licensing Platform An on-demand web platform allowing media houses, businesses, and bands to license Vermont-made music for commercial use. Provides a centralized catalog of local music available for licensing.
- The Radiator (105.9 FM Community Radio Station)
Companies that use Big Heavy World
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Big Heavy World technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Big Heavy World partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sound DiplomacycoreInternational music industry consulting firm that analyzed Big Heavy World's Vermont Music Sector Survey results.
- Vermont Folklife CentercoreCollaborated on Thrufters & Throughstones project documenting music from Vermont's first 400 years for Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration.
- Vermont Historical SocietycoreCollaborated on Thrufters & Throughstones compilation documenting Vermont music history.
- Magic Hat Brewing CompanycoreAnnual HeavyFest concert hosted at South Burlington brewery to support Big Heavy World. Also features Big Heavy Wheat beer and special cap promotions.
- 105.9FM The RadiatorcoreCommunity radio station broadcasting the Rocket Shop local music show and providing underwriting opportunities.
- Main Street LandingcorePerforming arts center that co-presented Rocket Shop Live concert series with Big Heavy World and RETN.
- RETNcoreLocal public access TV station that filmed and broadcast Rocket Shop Live performances.
- Vermont Public RadiocoreState public radio network supporting Big Heavy World through sponsorship and coverage of Vermont music initiatives.
- Vermont Department of Buildings and General ServicescoreState agency collaborating on Vermont Jukebox Project installing jukeboxes at welcome centers along Vermont interstate highways.
- Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of CommercecoreRegional chamber collaborating on Vermont Jukebox Project and supporting Vermont music promotion.
- Good News GarageminorOrganization that helped launch Big Heavy World's cooperative tour van program by providing the first van.
- University of VermontminorDonated van at auction for the tour van lending program supporting Vermont musicians.
- UVM Lane SeriesminorUniversity of Vermont performing arts series sponsoring Thrufters & Throughstones.
- Moreau Theatrical ServicesminorTheatrical services provider supporting Rocket Shop Live concert series.
- Code for BTVminorCivic technology group listed among Big Heavy World projects.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Big Heavy World competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KEXP: Seattle-based listener-supported community radio station dedicated to music discovery, with associated podcast, live sessions, and a strong local-music emphasis. Closely mirrors Big Heavy World's combination of community radio, podcast, and artist-promotion model, but at significantly larger scale.
- WFMU: Independent, listener-supported freeform community radio station based in New Jersey with extensive archives of recorded music and DJ programming. Comparable as a nonprofit, volunteer-driven community radio outlet that curates and preserves niche music programming, much like Big Heavy World's Radiator 105.9FM.
- Vermont Folklife Center: Vermont-based cultural heritage nonprofit that documents and preserves traditional culture through archives, exhibits, and media productions. Already a documented Big Heavy World collaborator on the Thrufters & Throughstones project; directly comparable as a state-level cultural preservation organization.
Broad incumbents
- Americana Music Association: Professional trade organization that promotes American roots music globally through awards, conferences, and advocacy. Relevant as a nonprofit music-industry advocacy body similar in spirit to Big Heavy World's preservation/promotion mission, though operating at national scale.
- New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA): Regional nonprofit that funds and advocates for arts and culture across New England. Operates at a larger, multi-state scale than Big Heavy World but shares the regional arts-development, grant-making, and cultural-promotion mission.
- Folk Alliance International: International nonprofit supporting folk, roots, and traditional music through an annual conference, advocacy, and community-building programs. Comparable in nonprofit, community-driven music-promotion orientation but with a much broader national/international scope than Big Heavy World's Vermont focus.
Emerging players
- Sound Diplomacy: International music industry consultancy that analyzes the economic and cultural value of local music sectors. Already a Big Heavy World partner on the Vermont Music Sector Survey, and operates at the intersection of music economics research and cultural policy — directly adjacent to BHW's economic-impact work.
- Rocky Mountain Folks Fest / Song School (Planet Bluegrass): Colorado-based nonprofit that produces folk/roots festivals, workshops, and community music education programs. Comparable to Big Heavy World's combination of festivals (HeavyFest, Make Music Day VT), community education, and nonprofit preservation of roots music.
Regional players
- WXPN (University of Pennsylvania): University-affiliated public radio station that curates and promotes independent and local music through programs like World Cafe. Operates a comparable radio-driven music-discovery model to Big Heavy World's Radiator 105.9FM, though in a different geography and at larger scale.
- Passim: Cambridge, Massachusetts-based nonprofit music club and cultural organization that presents folk and acoustic music, runs education programs, and supports emerging artists. Comparable as a nonprofit music organization with educational, performance, and artist-development missions, though venue-based rather than radio-based.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Big Heavy World social profiles
Digital presenceBig Heavy World financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Big Heavy World leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Big Heavy World funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Big Heavy World M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Big Heavy World
What does Big Heavy World do?
Big Heavy World is a Vermont nonprofit music organization that preserves and promotes Vermont-made music through a portfolio of interconnected programs: a community radio station (105.9FM The Radiator) broadcasting the weekly Rocket Shop local music show and podcast, an on-demand Vermont Music Licensing Platform, a record label producing compilation albums featuring Vermont artists, a Vermont Music Library archive, a cooperative tour van lending program, Welcome Center Jukebox installations, Make Music Day Vermont, and the VT Music Far & Wide museum exhibit. Customers include Vermont musicians seeking promotion and resources, media houses licensing local music commercially, and visitors/consumers discovering Vermont music.
Is Big Heavy World a public or private company?
Big Heavy World is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Big Heavy World founded?
Big Heavy World was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Big Heavy World based?
Big Heavy World is headquartered in Burlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Big Heavy World make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Merchandise Sales are the primary driver. The others are album/Compilation Sales, music Licensing and donations and Grants.
Who are Big Heavy World's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KEXP, WFMU and Vermont Folklife Center. Broad incumbents are Americana Music Association, New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) and Folk Alliance International. Emerging players are Sound Diplomacy and Rocky Mountain Folks Fest / Song School (Planet Bluegrass). Regional players are WXPN (University of Pennsylvania) and Passim.
Does Big Heavy World have an API?
No public API is recorded for Big Heavy World.
What industry is Big Heavy World in?
Big Heavy World's product category is Music & Arts Nonprofit Organization. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAJAC, Music & Audio Streaming Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516 and its SIC code is 3652.