Larry Flynt Acquires Christian Music Labels

Larry Flynt, the colorful, controversial founder of Hustler magazine, has purchased secular music behemoth, The Zomba Group of Companies, in a stock trade valued at $2.8 billion, putting Christian music labels and artists, including Michael W. Smith and Jars of Clay, in the Hustler media empire.

Flynt agreed to purchase Zomba from Bertelsmann, which has shed units to keep up shareholder confidence. "I'm tickled to death to be here today," said Flynt, rolling into the press conference in his gold-plated wheelchair and handing out copies of Hustler magazine on his way to the podium. "Who would have thought one day I'd own not just the world's best magazine, but the world's best gospel music?"

Flynt has wanted to flex his muscle in the media realm and, in his words, "pull a Ted Turner" for years. He made a secret bid to buy Vivendi two years ago, but was rebuffed. Now, as owner of Zomba, he has growing clout, with secular artists Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears under his purview. But the acquisition of Provident Music Group, a unit of Zomba Group, outraged observers in the Christian music industry. Provident is one of the world's most successful Christian music companies and encompasses Benson Records, Brentwood Records, Cedarmont Kids, Essential Records and others. Artists include Jars of Clay, Third Day, and Michael W. Smith.

"To have Flynt signing off on recordings made by this generation's best Christian artists is a travesty," said singer Steve Camp, who now legally goes by "Keith Green II." Camp/Green II chained himself to a pole in downtown Nashville and threatened to remove one article of clothing every day until Flynt relinquishes control of Provident, or accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior. Others in the industry, particularly those heading up companies now owned by Zomba, were more muted.

"This could be a good thing," said one executive, who requested anonymity. "Jerry Falwell's been saying for years that Flynt will get saved someday, so maybe this is a step in that direction. He'll certainly be hearing more gospel music now."

At a news conference, Flynt joked about "cross promoting the products," running ads for Michael W. Smith in his flagship magazine, and including Hustler subscription information inside Christian CD's. "Or maybe I'll start a magazine for married Christian men," he said, chuckling. "Something with a little pizzazz."