Rock Ridge Music was founded in 2004 by Tom Derr in Washington Crossing, PA along with partners Chris Henderson[1] and Jason Spiewak. CEO Derr was the former Vice-President of Marketing and Artist Development for Universal Records, and had also previously worked at RCA Records and A&M Records.[1] Chris Henderson, guitarist for modern rock group 3 Doors Down, joined in 2004 and went on to become Vice President of A&R for the label.[2] Based in Newark, NJ from 2007-2014, the company opened a Nashville, TN office at the beginning of 2014 and moved the base of their operation there in 2015.
In 2005, Cynthia Cochrane joined as a partner, serving as General Manager and Creative Director from 2006 to 2012.[3] She had previously held positions at Universal Motown Records Group, Capitol Records, Blue Note Records and BMG Music. Cochrane was named President in 2013 following Spiewak’s departure from the company.[2]