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Category Archives: label news
Sunny Sweeney signs with Thirty Tigers
Country music singer/songwriter Sunny Sweeney has signed with Thirty Tigers and will begin working on her next album.
Earlier this year, the Longview, Texas native was nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s New Female Vocalist of the Year Award. Previously signed to both Big Machine Records and its sister label Republic Nashville, Sweeney released two critically acclaimed albums: Heartbreaker’s Hall of Fame and Concrete. The latter album featured the Top Ten hit “From a Table Away,” which was the highest charting Billboard debut single from a female country artist in four years.
About her new home, Sunny said:
“I have long been a fan of Thirty Tigers and the amazing roster of talent they have worked with through the years, and am thrilled to become part of their family. I can’t wait to share my new music with my fans!”
Congratulations to Sunny! We can’t wait to see what she has in store next for country music.
Cassadee Pope signs with Republic Nashville
Team Blake’s very own season three champion Cassadee Pope is officially country. She has announced that she’s signed a deal with Republic Nashville. Cassadee, previously released music as part of rock group Hey Monday, and her own solo material. This is her first major country music recording contract.
Cassadee shares:
“I am so excited to be joining the very talented Republic Nashville family. I am so passionate about my music and I couldn’t be more excited to have this amazing team to back me as I embark on this next chapter in my career.”
She’s already writing songs for her debut album, which doesn’t yet have a release date. We can’t wait to see what Cassadee has in store for country music and we wish her the best of luck with her new journey.
Tate Stevens signs deal with RCA Nashville
Looks like country is about to welcome another reality competition star into its family. Season two X Factor winner Tate Stevens has officially signed a deal with RCA Nashville / Syco Music. He’s currently working and writing for his debut album, which will be out this Spring.
Never finishing lower than second in the voting, America chose country singer Tate Stevens as the winner of Season two of Simon Cowell’s The X Factor, proving that country music fans are not to be messed with. Last year was a big year for country music on reality singing competitions – country fans helped Blake Shelton win two seasons in a row of The Voice.
Congratulations Tate! We can’t wait to see what you’ll be bringing to country music this year.
Pictured (l-r): Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, Stevens, Ken Levitan (Vector Management), Sony Music Nashville VP A&R Jim Catino, Michelle Owens (Vector Management)
Jo Dee Messina Leaves Curb Records
Country music singer Jo Dee Messina has left her major label home at Curb Records, she announced in a news posting on her official website. Her contract with the label had run out, but she has big plans in store for 2013. Jo Dee, who is currently out on tour and will continue hitting the road next year, is busy writing and working on a brand new album – which she also expects out in 2013.
She shares:
“I am so excited to be able to start fresh. I have so much music to share. Getting it out there to the fans is going to be such a blessing.”
We wish Jo Dee well in her new venture and can’t wait to see what she has planned for fans! Check out the live version of “A Woman’s Rant” from her upcoming new album and let us know what you think:
(the song begins after 4:47).
Joe Nichols Signs With Red Bow Records
It’s been a busy week in the world of country music and it’s about to get busier. At a press conference held on Wednesday (October 31) at the Hard Rock Café in Nashville, Broken Bow Records, alongside its sister label, Stoney Creek Records, announced the birth of a new label. Broken Bow will be teaming up with RED Distribution to create a new label called Red Bow Records. Broken Bow is known as one of country music’s independent labels representing artists including: Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, Thompson Square and Randy Houser.
The first artists signed to the new indie imprint were announced on Wednesday as well. Country hit maker, Joe Nichols, known for his country hits “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” and “Brokenheartsville” was added to the label’s roster after a private meeting in Nashville. Nichols was previously signed with The label will also welcome country-rocker, Rachel Farley who recently toured with Jason Aldean.
Who else would you like to see join Red Bow Records?
Sony Music Nashville Signs Angie Johnson
Congratulations to the team at Sony Music Nashville and former The Voice contestant Angie Johnson! It was announced today that she’s signed an exclusive recording contract with the Nashville major label. The Missouri Air National Guard became a YouTube superstar after a video of her performance of Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” became viral. It was that exact video that lead to Angie auditioning for NBC’s mega-hit reality show The Voice.
The St. Louis native spent six years in the Air Force and was honorably discharged after she joined the Air National Guard and moved to Nashville to pursue her dreams of becoming a country singer. Love & Theft‘s Josh Leo has signed on to produce her debut album for the label.
Check out the original viral video below from her performance in Afghanistan and wish Angie luck! We can’t wait to see what she has in store for Music City.
Big Machine Signs Songwriter Aaron Scherz
Big Machine Music made a big addition to its songwriter lineup this week with the signing of songwriter-producer Aaron Scherz. The writer already has cuts on with the label’s Greg Bates and RCA Nashville’s Joanna Smith. He’s previously worked with Effusion Entertainment and with Big Machine’s Martha and Mike Molinar.
Mike Molinar said about the signing:
“Martha and I are happy to extend our relationship with Aaron. He is one of the most gifted, young, songwriter/producers on Music Row. We hope to utilize all of his talents, especially when it comes to identifying and developing new songwriter/artists.”
The Texas native co-wrote the title track to Tracy Lawrence‘s 2009 Grammy-nominated album “The Rock.” He’s also made national jingles for major companies Coca-Cola and Dodge.
Kellie Pickler Signs With Black River Entertainment
Kellie Pickler has finally found a new home! The country music sweetheart was just announced this morning as the newest addition to the artist roster at Black River Entertainment. The label is already home to Craig Morgan, Due West, Glen Templeton, and Sarah Darling.
Gordon Kerr, CEO of Black River Entertainment, was pretty excited about the announcement. He shares:
“What’s not to love about Kellie? She’s real, she adores her fans, she’s rooted in and committed to country music and she’s genuine. How can you ask for more than that?”
Kellie added exactly why she chose the label for her new home. She left Sony Music Nashville earlier this year.
“In looking for a label partner, I was really drawn to the Black River family because they hold similar values that I do. From our initial meeting, it was clear to me how much the entire team respects the artists’ musical vision, and I’m really looking forward to getting back into the studio to record and release new music to country radio.”
Kellie released her latest album “100 Proof” earlier this year. Only two singles were sent to radio from the album – lead off single “Tough” followed by the title track. “100 Proof” was produced by Miranda Lambert producer Frank Liddell and shows off the real country side of the North Carolina native. Check out the picture of the signing below:
Josh Thompson Signs With Show Dog-Universal
Congratulations to Josh Thompson and the team at Show Dog-Universal! They announced earlier this week that Josh has been signed to Toby Keith‘s label. The country music singer split ways with his home of three years at Sony Music Nashville earlier this year. While there’s no news yet on a new single or album with his new label, we’re sure he’ll be hard at work soon! It’s an exclusive recording contract with the label, who currently has a roster of Toby, Jessie James, Trace Adkins, J.T. Hodges, and Rose Falcon.
Josh’s new website is currently under construction. His last single released with Sony was “Comin’ Around.”
The JaneDear Girls Split Up
Country music duo The JaneDear Girls have split up. The news comes after rumors throughout 2012 of their split after tour date and performance cancellations and a lack of updates on their official site since March. Susie Brown, one half of the all-girl duo, confirmed work on a solo album. Danielle Leverett is now working on a pop album under the alias Nelly Joy.
Their official website, thejanedeargirls.com, is still functioning at this time. There are no future tour dates scheduled for the duo as the Jane Dear Girls, but each have set up their own Twitter accounts – Danielle aka Nelly Joy with @NellyJoyMusic, and Susie Brown with @SusieBrownMusic. They’re the second group this year to split up while with Warner music after The Dirt Drifters suddenly called it quits and announced the cancellation of all future appearances.
We here at Keepin’ it Country wish the girls well with their solo careers!
