Provident Music Group was created by Zomba in 1997. Zomba had purchased the Brentwood Group in 1994 and sought to organize its Christian activities under one banner. Thus, Zomba charged Brentwood founder Jim Van Hook with heading Provident. The group initially consisted of the Provident Label Group, Provident-Integrity Distribution and the Brentwood/Benson Publishing Group.
Provident Label Group is a leading Christian record label and produces music under the names Benson Records, Brentwood Records, Essential Records (3), Beach Street Records, Diadem Records (3), Praise Hymn Music Group, Provident Special Markets and Reunion Records.
After BMG bought Zomba in 2002 and integrated the company in June 2003, the Provident Music Group was moved under RCA. When Sony bought out BMG's share of their Sony BMG Music Entertainment joint venture, the Provident Music Group became part of Sony Music Entertainment Inc. under Sony Music Nashville.
Brentwood/Benson Publishing Group was moved under BMG Publishing when BMG bought Zomba, and subsequently purchased by Universal.