Today, the A&M Family still has the same good feelings about the company and its founders. In many ways, the people of A&M and its culture are Alpert and Moss’s greatest achievement.
A&M became the label that looked for longevity in its relationships, and the family atmosphere also provided A&M’s edge to compete with major labels. As a privately-owned company, it could not rely on stock issues or subsidiaries to raise large sums of money for artist advances, recording and promotion costs. Instead, A&M offered its artists more time and creativity in building image and career, getting their recordings played on radio and television, and presenting artists to retail and the public. A&M could develop an album campaign for months longer than a major label. “We weren’t interested in the beat of the week,” said Alpert.
A&M wanted its people and its partnerships to thrive at what they did best. Artists, employees and label managers affiliated with A&M share similar stories of why they chose this label. Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill Records said, “I went with A&M because it was the only label that showed any intelligence. They didn't want to usurp us, but to facilitate us. I kept telling them what they couldn't do -- till finally Jerry Moss yelled at me, “Look, Will, we really don't understand this! We just want you... to go do it!”
