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:Big Machine Records

{{short description|American record label}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox record label

| name = Big Machine Records

| image = Big Machine Records logo.png

| founded = {{Start date and age|2005|09|01}}

| founder = Scott Borchetta

| distributor = Universal Music Group

| parent = Big Machine Label Group
(Hybe Corporation)

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| country = United States

| location = Nashville, Tennessee

| website = {{URL|https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/}}

}}

Big Machine Records is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group. Big Machine is based on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. The label was founded in September 2005{{cite magazine|last1=Caulfiend|first1=Keith|last2=Tucker|first2=Ken|title=Valory Unveiled|magazine=Billboard|date=November 10, 2007|volume=119|issue=45|page=8}} by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta and became a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith.{{cite magazine|last=Stark|first=Phyllis|date=March 11, 2006|title=The Honeymoon's Hardly Over, but Show Dog and Big Machine split|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203074251/https://books.google.com/books?id=1BQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12|url-status=live}} The purchase of Big Machine Records by Scooter Braun's company, Ithaca Holdings, in 2019 resulted in a highly-publicized dispute and controversy with American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift regarding the ownership of the masters to her albums for the label.

History

Big Machine Records was founded by Scott Borchetta, a former punk rock bass guitar player who had worked in the mailroom of his father Mike's music company and became a promotions staff member in 1991 for Universal Music Group's MCA Records. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, Borchetta was an "involved manager" at MCA, "choosing singles and dispensing advice." After he was fired from MCA in 1997, Borchetta accepted a role at the Nashville division of DreamWorks Records, but later decided to start his own label after Universal acquired the division.{{cite web |last=Leonard |first=Devin |date=November 12, 2014 |title=Taylor Swift Is the Music Industry |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-12/taylor-swift-and-big-machine-are-the-music-industry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109151416/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-12/taylor-swift-and-big-machine-are-the-music-industry |archive-date=January 9, 2015 |access-date=January 10, 2015 |website=Bloomberg Businessweek |publisher=Bloomberg L.P}} Before he left DreamWorks, Borchetta approached Taylor Swift and her family after the musician performed at the Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee, after first meeting her in 2004. At the time, Borchetta had no infrastructure or financing. He made an offer to Swift and her parents, whereby he would recruit her to the new label's roster after it was established. Swift eventually recontacted Borchetta around two weeks later, telling him: "I'm looking for you."

He formed the label in 2005, naming it "Big Machine" after a 2004 song by the band Velvet Revolver.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6738578/scott-borchetta-big-machine-10-year-anniversary-interview | title = Big Machine's Scott Borchetta on Taylor Swift, the Fight Against Free and Remaining 'Bold and Disruptive' on 10-Year Anniversary | first = Chris | last = Willman | date = October 26, 2015 | magazine = Billboard | access-date = May 7, 2020 | archive-date = October 21, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201021112154/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6738578/scott-borchetta-big-machine-10-year-anniversary-interview | url-status = live }} The first signees to Big Machine were Jack Ingram and Danielle Peck. Big Machine's first album release was Ingram's Live: Wherever You Are, a re-release of a live album he had previously issued independently in 2004. The album features two new studio tracks, "Wherever You Are" and "Love You", both of which were released as singles.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/294861336/ | title=Jack Ingram's trip from psychology to mainstream country | work=The Leaf Chronicle | date=January 22, 2006 | accessdate=May 30, 2022 | pages=D8 | archive-date=May 30, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530191202/https://www.newspapers.com/image/294861336/ | url-status=live }} In mid-2006, "Wherever You Are" off this album reached number one on Billboard Hot Country Songs, thus becoming the label's first single to top that chart.{{Cite web |date=2009-10-31 |title=Jack Ingram Hits Country Charts with Live – Wherever You Are |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-03-01-voa89/398905.html |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=VOA |language=en |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718154143/https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-03-01-voa89/398905.html |url-status=live }}

Soon after, Big Machine released Swift's first ever recording, the single "Tim McGraw" and her debut album Taylor Swift. Keith dropped his affiliation with the label in 2006, but he was reported as an equity holder in November 2014, alongside the Swift family and Borchetta (the latter reportedly owning 60 percent of the company at the time). In October 2012, Borchetta told Rolling Stone magazine: "[Taylor Swift's father] Scott Swift owns three percent of Big Machine."{{Cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=2012-10-25 |title=Taylor Swift in Wonderland |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-in-wonderland-180107/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209064602/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-in-wonderland-180107/ |url-status=live }}

By March 2009, Big Machine artist Danielle Peck had left the label. The departure occurred during a downturn period for the overall U.S. music industry.{{cite web |last=Morris |first=Edward |date=March 3, 2009 |title=Country Rosters Remain Stable Despite Sales Downturn |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1606224/country-rosters-remain-stable-despite-sales-downturn/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110102026/http://www.cmt.com/news/1606224/country-rosters-remain-stable-despite-sales-downturn/ |archive-date=January 10, 2015 |access-date=January 10, 2015 |website=CMT News}}

In February 2010, Swift won four Grammys—including Album of the Year (Fearless), Best Country Album (Fearless), Best Country Song ("White Horse"), and Best Female Country Vocal Performance ("White Horse")—becoming the first Big Machine artist to win a Grammy Award.{{Cite web |last=Pham |first=Jason |date=2023-02-06 |title=How Many Grammys Does Taylor Swift Have? The Number May Surprise You |url=https://stylecaster.com/entertainment/music/1079102/taylor-swift-grammys/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=StyleCaster |language=en-US |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103084153/https://stylecaster.com/entertainment/music/1079102/taylor-swift-grammys/ |url-status=live }}

Borchetta signed a deal with Clear Channel—which later changed its name to iHeartMedia—in 2012 that ensures payment for Big Machine artists from terrestrial and digital radio airplay. Three years after the deal was signed, Borchetta said that the revenue streams were "very meaningful."

In November 2014, Borchetta denied a claim that he was looking to sell Big Machine for $200 million following the release of Swift's then-upcoming fifth studio album 1989: "Every time we have a Taylor [Swift] record, they're like, 'Oh, he's selling the company.'" Borchetta did not, however, rule out a future change of ownership, stating that "the business is changing so quickly, and if I see a strategic opportunity that's going to be better for our artists and executives, it's going to be a serious conversation." Following the release of 1989, Swift's contract with Big Machine obliged her to produce one more full-length album for the label.

The Zac Brown Band announced on January 12, 2015, that it had finalized a four-way strategic partnership involving the Southern Ground Artists record label, Big Machine Label Group, Republic Records and John Varvatos Records for the release of its fourth studio album. The terms of the deal stated that Zac Brown Band would work with Big Machine Label Group for marketing and distribution, while Southern Ground Artists would work on radio promotion, Republic provided support in the area of non-country radio formats and international promotion, and Varvatos oversaw branding and styling.{{cite web |last=Rau |first=Nate |date=January 12, 2015 |title=Zac Brown Band aligns with Big Machine |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/industries/music/2015/01/12/zac-brown-band-aligns-big-machine/21649505/ |access-date=January 17, 2015 |website=The Tennessean}}

In a February 2015 interview, Borchetta refused to comment on the status of the label's distribution deal with Universal Music Group (UMG), which was up for renegotiation at the time. He confirmed that the label would release the next American Idol album, in partnership with 19 Entertainment and UMG—Borchetta would be one of the mentors on the reality program's next series. Borchetta also disclosed that Swift agreed to the withdrawal of her catalog from Spotify after he first suggested the idea to her, and that he would remove the music of all Big Machine artists if it was within his power.

In May 2017, the label branched out into the alcoholic beverage industry by launching Big Machine Vodka, a premium brand distilled in Lynnville, Tennessee. Borchetta described the new venture as "perfectly [complementing] the music we take such great pride in".{{Cite magazine |last=Dauphin |first=Chuck |date=2017-05-30 |title=Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Launches Vodka Brand |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/big-machine-vodka-scott-borchetta/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710005438/https://www.billboard.com/pro/big-machine-vodka-scott-borchetta/ |url-status=live }}

In November 2017, Swift released her sixth studio album Reputation, her last album released under Big Machine before her contract with the label expired on November 2018. Swift later signed with Republic Records, under a deal in which she would maintain ownership of her master recordings going forward.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-universal-republic-deal-spotify-758102/|title=Taylor Swift's New Record Deal Affects Thousands of Other Musicians|last=Wang|first=Amy X.|date=November 19, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=November 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221710/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-universal-republic-deal-spotify-758102/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-stands-to-make-music-business-history-as-a-free-agent-1202918336/|title=Taylor Swift Stands to Make Music Business History as a Free Agent|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=August 27, 2018|work=Variety|access-date=August 29, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=August 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829021649/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-stands-to-make-music-business-history-as-a-free-agent-1202918336/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-news-alert-1203032124/|title=Taylor Swift Signs New Deal With Universal Music Group|last1=Aswad|first1=Jem|date=November 19, 2018|work=Variety|access-date=November 19, 2018|last2=Willman|first2=Chris|archive-date=November 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119184301/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/taylor-swift-news-alert-1203032124/|url-status=live}}

=Spotify dispute=

On November 3, 2014, Swift removed all but one of her songs from Spotify after indications of her disapproval of the streaming service emerged in July of the same year. Swift, one of the world's most popular musicians at the time, had previously delayed the streaming of her 2012 album, Red.{{Cite magazine |last=Linshi |first=Jack |date=2014-11-03 |title=Here's Why Taylor Swift Pulled Her Music From Spotify |url=https://time.com/3554468/why-taylor-swift-spotify/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120150946/https://time.com/3554468/why-taylor-swift-spotify/ |url-status=live }}

Big Machine country music artists Justin Moore and Brantley Gilbert removed their music from Spotify on November 12, 2014. Like Swift, both artists allowed a single song to remain on the streaming platform.{{cite news|date=November 12, 2014|title=Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert pull music from Spotify|newspaper=Toronto Sun|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2014/11/12/justin-moore-brantley-gilbert-pull-music-from-spotify|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106190615/http://www.torontosun.com/2014/11/12/justin-moore-brantley-gilbert-pull-music-from-spotify|url-status=live}}

After Swift and Big Machine withdrew her catalog from Spotify in November 2014, the streaming service launched a social media campaign to persuade Swift to return and, in a statement on its website, claimed that 16 million of over 40 million users had played her music in the preceding 30-day period.{{cite news |last=Mansfield |first=Brian |date=November 4, 2014 |title=Taylor Swift says goodbye to Spotify |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/11/03/taylor-swift-spotify-removes-music/18428325/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112141712/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/11/03/taylor-swift-spotify-removes-music/18428325/ |archive-date=January 12, 2015}}

In mid-November, Borchetta disputed figures released by Spotify that claimed that Swift would receive US$6 million annually from the streaming site—Borchetta said in a Time magazine interview that Swift was paid a total of US$500,000 over the previous 12 months. Spotify responded to Borchetta, by clarifying that Swift had been paid US$2 million for global streaming over the year-long time frame. Spotify further explained: "We [Spotify] paid Taylor [Swift]'s label and publisher roughly half a million dollars in the month before she took her catalog down".{{cite web |last=Popper |first=Ben |date=November 13, 2014 |title=Spotify says it paid Taylor Swift millions. Her label disagrees. Here's the truth |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/11/13/7213775/taylor-swift-spotify-borchetta-royalties |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825104124/https://www.theverge.com/2014/11/13/7213775/taylor-swift-spotify-borchetta-royalties |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2017 |work=The Verge}} According to Borchetta, the amount Swift earned from streaming her music videos on the Vevo site was greater than the payout she received from Spotify.

Borchetta then clarified in a February 2015 interview that Swift's catalog would be permitted on a streaming service "that understands the different needs that we [Swift and Big Machine] have," whereby "the choice to be [on the free, ad-supported tier] or not" is provided. Borchetta argued that Swift's musical oeuvre is "arguably the most important current catalog there is" and stated that the streaming issue is "about each individual artist, and the real mission here is to bring ... attention to it."{{cite web |last=Newman |first=Melinda |date=February 5, 2015 |title=Taylor Swift's Label Boss on Her Future, His Spotify Showdown and 'American Idol' |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/taylor-swifts-label-boss-her-769072 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208055615/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/taylor-swifts-label-boss-her-769072 |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |access-date=February 14, 2015 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

Taylor Swift's catalog returned to Spotify in June 2017.{{Cite web |last=Bado |first=Kirk A. |date=June 8, 2017 |title=Taylor Swift returning her music to Spotify |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/nation-now/2017/06/09/taylor-swift-returning-her-music-spotify/383280001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904160147/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/nation-now/2017/06/09/taylor-swift-returning-her-music-spotify/383280001/ |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |website=USA TODAY}}

=Acquisition by Ithaca Holdings=

{{see also|Taylor Swift masters dispute}}

In October 2018, Big Machine was placed for sale, with bids from Macquarie Group, Evan Spiegel and Universal Music Group. Big Machine was valued at $300 million.{{Cite magazine |last=Karp |first=Hannah |date=2018-10-30 |title=Universal Is Only Major Label Left in Running to Buy Taylor Swift's Big Machine Label Group, as Bids Top $300M |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/universal-only-major-label-left-buy-taylor-swift-big-machine-label-8482512/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710005439/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/universal-only-major-label-left-buy-taylor-swift-big-machine-label-8482512/ |url-status=live }} On June 30, 2019, Billboard reported that Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings had purchased Big Machine Records for $300 million, with funding from Carlyle Group.{{Cite magazine |last=Christman |first=Ed |date=2019-06-30 |title=Scooter Braun Acquires Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group, Taylor Swift Catalog For Over $300 Million |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/scooter-braun-acquires-big-machine-label-group-scott-borchetta/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213002005/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8518119/scooter-braun-acquires-big-machine-label-group-scott-borchetta |url-status=live }} A few hours after the announcement of the purchase, Taylor Swift wrote on Tumblr that she was unaware of the buyer of the masters of her first six albums.{{Cite web |last=Swift |first=Taylor |date=June 30, 2019 |title=Taylor Swift |url=https://taylorswift.tumblr.com/post/185958366550/for-years-i-asked-pleaded-for-a-chance-to-own-my |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212230900/https://taylorswift.tumblr.com/post/185958366550/for-years-i-asked-pleaded-for-a-chance-to-own-my |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=2020-11-29 |website=Taylor Swift}} Later that night, Scott Borchetta revealed through the Big Machine Label Group website his and Swift's conversation regarding the purchase.{{Cite web|date=2019-06-30|title=So, It's Time For Some Truth ...|url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/news/so-its-time-some-truth|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Big Machine Label Group|language=en|archive-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402190151/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/news/so-its-time-some-truth|url-status=live}}

A copyright issue arose later in the year just ahead of Swift's American Music Awards' Artist of the Decade performance when Swift tweeted regarding Big Machine's prohibition on the use of her old music.{{Cite magazine|last=Adler|first=Dan|title=Just in Time: Scooter Braun Breaks His Silence on Taylor Swift Ahead of the American Music Awards|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/11/scooter-braun-taylor-swift-statement|access-date=2020-11-30|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=November 22, 2019|language=en-us|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028081626/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/11/scooter-braun-taylor-swift-statement|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Alder |first=Dan |date=2019-11-22 |title=Just in Time: Scooter Braun Breaks His Silence on Taylor Swift Ahead of the American Music Awards |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/11/scooter-braun-taylor-swift-statement |access-date=2023-07-10 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028081626/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/11/scooter-braun-taylor-swift-statement |url-status=live }} On August 22, 2019, Swift announced on Good Morning America that she would rerecord her first six albums in November 2020 and release them through Republic Records.{{Cite web|last=Moreau|first=Jordan|date=2020-11-25|title=Taylor Swift Reveals Which Song She's Most Excited to Re-Record|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-rerecord-music-good-morning-america-1234839932/|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130012604/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/taylor-swift-rerecord-music-good-morning-america-1234839932/|url-status=live}} On November 16, 2020, Variety reported that Big Machine had sold the rights to Taylor Swift's first six albums to Shamrock Holdings.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/scooter-braun-sells-taylor-swift-big-machine-masters-1234832080|title=Scooter Braun Sells Taylor Swift's Big Machine Masters for Big Payday|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410125053/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/scooter-braun-sells-taylor-swift-big-machine-masters-1234832080/|url-status=live}} Swift stated that she had not been contacted about the sale.{{Cite web |last1=Strauss |first1=Matthew |last2=Minsker |first2=Evan |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Taylor Swift Responds to Scooter Braun Selling Her Masters, Confirms She's Re-Recording Her First Albums |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/scooter-braun-sells-taylor-swifts-masters-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413081208/https://pitchfork.com/news/scooter-braun-sells-taylor-swifts-masters-report/ |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |website=Pitchfork}} On February 11, 2021, Swift announced that the first rerecorded song, "Love Story (Taylor's Version)", would be released the following day at midnight, which was then followed by the album Fearless (Taylor's Version) on April 9. Swift announced the next re-recorded album to be released, originally slated for a November 19 release then changed to a November 12 release date, would be Red (Taylor's Version), on June 18. Following the release of her tenth studio album, Midnights, Swift announced her third rerecorded album, Speak Now (Taylor's Version) at her Nashville show of her Eras Tour, and released it on July 7, 2023, under Republic Records. She announced her fourth re-recorded album, 1989 (Taylor's Version) at the final US show of the Eras Tour, and released it on October 27, 2023.

=Acquisition by Hybe Corporation=

On April 2, 2021, it was announced that Ithaca Holdings, including Big Machine, would be sold to the South Korean music and entertainment firm Hybe Corporation (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), with Borchetta to remain CEO of Big Machine.{{cite web|last1=Halperin|first1=Shirley|last2=Frater|first2=Patrick|date=April 2, 2021|title=HYBE, Formerly Big Hit Entertainment, Merges With Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings Bringing Together BTS, Justin Bieber, Big Machine (Exclusive)|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/hybe-formerly-big-hit-entertainment-acquires-scooter-brauns-ithaca-holdings-bringing-together-bts-justin-bieber-big-machine-1234943092/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402075231/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/hybe-formerly-big-hit-entertainment-acquires-scooter-brauns-ithaca-holdings-bringing-together-bts-justin-bieber-big-machine-1234943092/|archive-date=April 2, 2021|access-date=April 2, 2021|work=Variety}}{{cite web|last=Ingham|first=Tim|date=April 2, 2021|title=Scooter Braun Sells Ithaca Holdings To Hybe, Formerly Known As Big Hit Entertainment|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/scooter-braun-sells-ithaca-holdings-to-hybe-formerly-big-hit-entertainment/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210402093226/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/scooter-braun-sells-ithaca-holdings-to-hybe-formerly-big-hit-entertainment/|archive-date=April 2, 2021|access-date=April 2, 2021|website=Music Business Worldwide}}

Imprints

{{Infobox company

| name = Big Machine Label Group, LLC

| type = Private

| industry = Music & entertainment

| founded = {{Start date and age|2005|09|01}}

| founder = Scott Borchetta

| hq_location = Music Row

| hq_location_city = Nashville, Tennessee

| hq_location_country = United States

| key_people = Scott Borchetta (CEO)
Sandi Spika Borchetta (VP Creative Services)
Andrew Kautz, General Manager
Taylor Swift, the first signed artist

| owner =

| parent = Ithaca Holdings

| divisions = Big Machine Records
Valory Music
Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment

| website = [http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com bigmachinelabelgroup.com]

}}

=Valory Music Co.=

In November 2007, Big Machine Records founded a subsidiary imprint called Valory Music Co. Acts signed to this roster include Jimmy Wayne (who was formerly signed to Big Machine), Jewel, the Mavericks, Thomas Rhett, and Justin Moore.{{cite web |url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=1073&t=Big_Machine_starts_new_label_signs_Jewel_Jimmy_Wayne_Justin_Moore |title=Big Machine starts new label, signs Jewel, Jimmy Wayne, Justin Moore |access-date=November 8, 2007 |date=November 2, 2007 |work=Country Standard Time| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071111045854/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=1073&t=Big_Machine_starts_new_label_signs_Jewel_Jimmy_Wayne_Justin_Moore| archive-date= November 11, 2007 | url-status= live}}

By the end of November 2008, the Valory imprint entered into a partnership with Midas Records—promotion, sales, marketing, production, publicity and distribution—for Canadian acts Adam Gregory and Emerson Drive.{{cite news|title=On Music Row: Valory takes Emerson Drive in tow|url=http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/music-row-valory-takes-emerson-drive-tow|access-date=January 10, 2015|work=The City Paper|date=September 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110102052/http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/music-row-valory-takes-emerson-drive-tow|archive-date=January 10, 2015|url-status=dead}} The announcement that Reba McEntire would join Valory was also publicized in November 2008. McEntire's debut single on Valory was scheduled for 2009, with her new studio album scheduled for mid-2009.{{Cite magazine |last=Tucker |first=Ken |date=2008-11-11 |title=Reba McEntire Signs With Valory Music |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/reba-mcentire-signs-with-valory-music-1043535/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710005440/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/reba-mcentire-signs-with-valory-music-1043535/ |url-status=live }}

=Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment=

Big Machine joined with Universal Republic Records in June 2009 to found a new label, Republic Nashville.{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=2955|title=New Nashville label starts with Sunny Sweeney aboard|date=June 5, 2009|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=June 5, 2009|archive-date=March 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324233306/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=2955|url-status=live}} In August 2016, Republic Nashville was rebranded as BMLG Records after Big Machine took back full ownership of the label. BMLG Records rebranded as Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment in 2024.

=Dot Records=

In March 2014, Big Machine announced the revival of Dot Records and, as of February 2015, the imprint was run in partnership with Republic Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/industries/music/2014/03/24/big-machine-resurrects-dot-records-name/6830685/|title=Big Machine resurrects Dot Records name|last=Rau|first=Nate|date=March 24, 2014|work=The Tennessean|access-date=March 27, 2014}} Dot was shuttered in March 2017 and a number of its artists moved to other Big Machine imprints.

=Nash Icon Records=

In 2014, Big Machine announced a partnership with Cumulus Media to create Nash Icon Music, a Big Machine imprint serving as an offshoot of Cumulus's Nash FM brand, focusing on active country acts who achieved mainstream fame in the 1990s and early 2000s. Cumulus also operates Nash Icon-branded radio stations with a similar focus.{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Rodney |title=Oldies 98.9 becomes older-skewing country NASH Icon 98.9 |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/oldies-becomes-older-skewing-country-nash-icon/B0wldPViz2FJBOU06NTUOO/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Radio & TV Talk Blog (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) |language=English |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710005439/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/oldies-becomes-older-skewing-country-nash-icon/B0wldPViz2FJBOU06NTUOO/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Nash Icons launches across the country|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/netgnomes/89681/cumulus-prepping-nash-icons-format-launch/|website=Radio Insight|access-date=August 16, 2014|date=August 15, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811122807/http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/netgnomes/89681/cumulus-prepping-nash-icons-format-launch/|url-status=live}}

On October 21, 2014, it was announced that McEntire would be the first artist signed to Nash Icon Music.{{cite news |last=Dauphin |first=Chuck |date=October 21, 2014 |title=Reba McEntire Becomes Nash Icon Music Label's Inaugural Signing |work=Billboard.com |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6289326/reba-mcentire-nash-icon-music-label-big-machine-cumulus |url-status=live |access-date=November 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126072253/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6289326/reba-mcentire-nash-icon-music-label-big-machine-cumulus |archive-date=November 26, 2014}} Nash Icon Records folded into Big Machine Records in 2018.

Big Machine Records

=Current artists=

  • Kristian Bush{{cite web |url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records |title=Big Machine Records |publisher=Big Machine Label Group |access-date=August 21, 2022 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708023050/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records |url-status=live }}
  • The Cadillac Three{{cite web|url=http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records/|title=Big Machine Records – Artists|work=Big Machine Records|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-date=November 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109221338/http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records/|url-status=live}}
  • Daughtry
  • Jackson Dean{{Cite web |url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records |title=| Big Machine Label Group |access-date=July 2, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708023050/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records |url-status=live }}
  • Mae Estes{{Cite web |url=https://musicrow.com/2023/11/mae-estes-signs-with-big-machine-records/ |title=Mae Estes Signs with Big Machine Records |date=November 17, 2023 |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118184723/https://musicrow.com/2023/11/mae-estes-signs-with-big-machine-records/ |url-status=live }}
  • Ray Wylie Hubbard
  • Ryan Hurd{{cite web | url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records/ | title=Big Machine Records Archives }}
  • Brian Kelley{{cite web | url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records | title=Big Machine Records Archives | access-date=July 2, 2020 | archive-date=July 8, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708023050/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records | url-status=live }}
  • Chase McDaniel{{Cite web |title=Big Machine Records Archives |url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Big Machine Label Group |language=en-US}}
  • Mötley Crüe{{Cite web|url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/big-machine-records-signs-the-worlds-most-notorious-rock-band-motley-crue/|title=BIG MACHINE RECORDS SIGNS THE WORLD’S MOST NOTORIOUS ROCK BAND, MÖTLEY CRÜE|date=April 23, 2024}}
  • Tim McGraw
  • Midland
  • Carly Pearce
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Sugarland{{cite web | url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/artists/ | title=Artists }}

=Former artists=

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

  • Tucker Beathard
  • Danielle Bradbery (returned to Big Machine in 2020)
  • Garth Brooks (Big Machine/Pearl)
  • Callista Clark{{cite web | url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records/ | title=Big Machine Records Archives | access-date=August 3, 2023 | archive-date=August 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803170550/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records/ | url-status=live }}
  • Dusty Drake
  • Edens Edge
  • Adam Gregory (Big Machine/Midas/Open Road)
  • Trent Harmon
  • Jack Ingram
  • Lauren Jenkins{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-new-country-artists-you-need-to-know-july-2016-20160701/lauren-jenkins-20160630|title=10 New Country Artists You Need To Know|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 1, 2016|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=February 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221181924/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-new-country-artists-you-need-to-know-july-2016-20160701/lauren-jenkins-20160630|url-status=live}}
  • Kate & Kacey
  • Reba McEntire
  • Jennifer Nettles
  • Todd O'Neill (Nash Next)
  • Danielle Peck
  • Melissa Peterman{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1632443/melissa-peterman-signs-to-big-machine-records/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412073050/http://www.cmt.com/news/1632443/melissa-peterman-signs-to-big-machine-records/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2015|title=Melissa Peterman Signs to Big Machine Records|work=CMT.com|date=February 23, 2010}} (Comedy Artist)
  • Payton Smith{{Cite web|url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/artists|title=Artists|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708023658/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/artists|url-status=live}}
  • Noah Schnacky{{cite web | url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/artists | title=Artists | access-date=August 6, 2020 | archive-date=July 8, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708023658/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/artists | url-status=live }}
  • Steel Magnolia
  • Sugarland
  • Sunny Sweeney (moved to Republic)
  • Taylor Swift (moved to Republic)
  • Waterloo Revival
  • Jimmy Wayne (moved to Valory)
  • Trisha Yearwood

{{colend}}

=Former Nash Icon Records artists=

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

{{colend}}

Nashville Harbor Records artists

{{main|BMLG Records}}

  • Riley Green
  • Noah Hicks{{Cite web |last=Hollabaugh |first=Lorie |date=2024-04-10 |title=Noah Hicks Signs With Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment |url=https://musicrow.com/2024/04/noah-hicks-signs-with-nashville-harbor-records-entertainment/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=MusicRow.com |language=en-US}}
  • Greylan James{{Cite web|url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/bmlg-records/|title=BMLG Records Archives - Big Machine Label Group}}
  • Caroline Jones
  • Lady A{{Cite web|url = https://variety.com/2018/music/news/lady-antebellum-signs-with-big-machine-1202926700/|title = Lady Antebellum Signs with Big Machine|date = September 4, 2018|access-date = September 4, 2018|archive-date = September 5, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180905015549/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/lady-antebellum-signs-with-big-machine-1202926700/|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url=https://musicrow.com/2020/06/breaking-lady-antebellum-changes-band-name/|title=BREAKING: Lady Antebellum Changes Band Name|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=July 2, 2020|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611185554/https://musicrow.com/2020/06/breaking-lady-antebellum-changes-band-name/|url-status=live}}
  • Shaylen{{Cite web |title=Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment Archives |url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/nhre/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Big Machine Label Group |language=en-US}}
  • Brett Young{{cite web|url=http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/big-machine-label-group-signs-brett-young/|title=Big Machine Label Group Signs Brett Young|work=Big Machine Records|date=August 21, 2015|access-date=October 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603192710/http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/big-machine-label-group-signs-brett-young/|archive-date=June 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}

=Former artists=

{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}

  • Taylor Swift
  • Danielle Bradbery (moved back to Big Machine in 2020)
  • The Band Perry{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6897188/the-band-perry-part-ways-with-big-machine|title=The Band Perry Part Ways With Big Machine|magazine=Billboard|date=March 1, 2016|access-date=April 16, 2016|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404082858/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6897188/the-band-perry-part-ways-with-big-machine|url-status=live}}
  • Greg Bates{{cite web|url=http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/republic-nashville-signs-greg-bates/|title=Republic Nashville Signs Greg Bates|work=Big Machine Records|date=December 7, 2011|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810051103/http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/republic-nashville-signs-greg-bates/|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead}}
  • Laci Kaye Booth
  • Eli Young Band (moved to Valory){{cite web|url=http://www.musicrow.com/2010/11/big-machine-adds-burr/|title=Big Machine Publicity Adds Burr|work=MusicRow|date=November 4, 2010|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-date=November 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125125410/http://www.musicrow.com/2010/11/big-machine-adds-burr/|url-status=live}}
  • Fast Ryde{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1613353/big-machine-records-creates-new-label-with-universal-republic/|title=Big Machine Records Creates New Label With Universal Republic|work=CMT.com|date=June 5, 2009|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305204233/http://www.cmt.com/news/1613353/big-machine-records-creates-new-label-with-universal-republic/|url-status=dead}}
  • Florida Georgia Line{{cite web|url=http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/republic-nashville/|title=Republic Nashville – Artists|work=Republic Nashville|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905090709/http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/republic-nashville/|archive-date=September 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}
  • Ryan Follese
  • Chris Janson{{cite web | url=https://musicrow.com/2022/09/chris-janson-signs-with-big-machine-label-group/ | title=Chris Janson Signs with Big Machine Label Group | date=September 28, 2022 | access-date=September 28, 2022 | archive-date=September 28, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928182456/https://musicrow.com/2022/09/chris-janson-signs-with-big-machine-label-group/ | url-status=live }}
  • Tiera Kennedy
  • Jaron and the Long Road to Love
  • Jackie Lee{{cite web|url=http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/jackie-lee-inks-deal-with-republic-nashville/|title=Jackie Lee Inks Deal with Republic Nashville|work=Big Machine Records|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305204717/http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/jackie-lee-inks-deal-with-republic-nashville/|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}
  • Martina McBride (moved to Nash Icon){{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1651761/martina-mcbride-signs-to-republic-nashville/|title=Martina McBride Signs to Republic Nashville|work=CMT.com|date=November 8, 2010|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305155458/http://www.cmt.com/news/1651761/martina-mcbride-signs-to-republic-nashville/|url-status=dead}}
  • Cassadee Pope
  • Shane Profitt{{cite web | url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/nhre/ | title=Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment Archives }}
  • SHEL
  • Dallas Smith{{cite news|last=Foster|first=Ben|title=Canadian Country Star Dallas Smith Signs With Republic Nashville; Releases First Single to iTunes|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/canadian-country-star-dallas-smith-signs-with-republic-nashville-releases-first-single-to-itunes|access-date=October 15, 2013|newspaper=Roughstock|date=October 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018192605/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/canadian-country-star-dallas-smith-signs-with-republic-nashville-releases-first-single-to-itunes|archive-date=October 18, 2013}}
  • Sunny Sweeney
  • A Thousand Horses
  • Drake White

{{colend}}

=Former Dot Records artists=

{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}

  • Tucker Beathard (moved to Big Machine)
  • Craig Wayne Boyd{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/voice-bummers-kimberly-nichole-leaves-show-118249573926.html|title='Voice' Bummers: Kimberly Nichole Leaves Show, Craig Wayne Boyd Leaves Label|work=Yahoo!|date=June 13, 2015|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929141935/https://www.yahoo.com/music/voice-bummers-kimberly-nichole-leaves-show-118249573926.html|url-status=live}}
  • Ashley Campbell{{cite web|url=http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/dot-records/|title=Dot Records – Artists|work=Dot Records|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923185114/http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/dot-records/|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}
  • Aaron Lewis (moved to Valory)
  • Maddie & Tae
  • Carly Pearce (moved to Big Machine)
  • Drake White (moved to BMLG)
  • Steven Tyler
  • The Shires
  • Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground Artist's/Republic Records/John Varvatos Records)

{{colend}}

Valory Music Co. roster

  • Braedon Barnhill{{Cite web|url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/valory-music-co/|title=Valory Music Co Archives}}
  • MacKenzie Carpenter
  • Preston Cooper
  • Sheryl Crow
  • Eli Young Band{{cite web|url=http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/eli-young-band-make-move-to-the-valory-music-co/|title=Eli Young Band Make Move to the Valory Music Co.|date=July 8, 2015|work=Valory Music Co.|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906060448/http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/eli-young-band-make-move-to-the-valory-music-co/|archive-date=September 6, 2015|url-status=dead}}
  • Brantley Gilbert{{cite web|url=http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/valory-music-co/|title=Valory Music Co. – Artists|work=Valory Music Co.|access-date=April 8, 2015|archive-date=March 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318063812/http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/valory-music-co/|url-status=live}}
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Justin Moore
  • RaeLynn
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Conner Smith{{Cite web |url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/valory-music-co |title=| Big Machine Label Group |access-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210200440/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/valory-music-co |url-status=live }}

=Former artists=

{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}

  • Delta Rae{{cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-fans-delta-rae-big-machine/|title=Taylor Swift fans unite to support Delta Rae after band leaves Big Machine|date=July 2, 2019|work=Taste Of Country|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703090135/https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-fans-delta-rae-big-machine/|url-status=live}}
  • Emerson Drive (Valory/Midas/Open Road)
  • Jewel
  • Tiera Kennedy
  • The Mavericks
  • Reba McEntire (moved to Nash Icon)
  • RaeLynn
  • Tyler Rich{{Cite web |url=https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/valory-music-co/ |title=Valory Music Co Archives |access-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204002403/https://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/valory-music-co/ |url-status=live }}
  • Jimmy Wayne

{{colend}}

Big Machine/John Varvatos Records

  • Badflower (Big Machine/John Varvatos Records)
  • Ayron Jones (Big Machine/John Varvatos Records){{Cite web|url=https://www.bigmachinejohnvarvatosrecords.com/artists|title=Artists|access-date=April 6, 2021|archive-date=March 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316074908/https://www.bigmachinejohnvarvatosrecords.com/artists|url-status=live}}
  • The Struts

=Former pop artists=

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

  • MacKenzie Bourg
  • Cheap Trick
  • Nick Fradiani
  • Gunnar Gehl
  • Laura Marano{{cite web|url=http://lauramarano.com/?p=381|title=Laura Signed To Big Machine Records|work=Laura Marano Official Website|date=March 28, 2015|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103534/http://lauramarano.com/?p=381|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}
  • La'Porsha Renae (Big Machine/Motown Records)
  • Who Is Fancy{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6531432/who-is-fancy-mystery-coming-out-again|title=Who Is Fancy Talks Shedding The Mystery|magazine=Billboard|date=April 10, 2015|access-date=October 26, 2015|archive-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026152521/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6531432/who-is-fancy-mystery-coming-out-again|url-status=live}}

{{colend}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/big-machine-records/ Big Machine Records]

{{Universal Music Group}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:American country music record labels

Category:American independent record labels

Category:Record labels established in 2005

Category:Pop record labels

Category:Soundtrack record labels

Category:Labels distributed by Universal Music Group

Category:Record labels based in Nashville, Tennessee

Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies

Category:2005 establishments in Tennessee