CMT News

Kenny Chesney has extended his recording contract with Sony Music Nashville, his longtime label home. He will now record for his own imprint, Blue Chair Records, in affiliation with Columbia Nashville.

Chesney previously recorded for the BNA imprint of Sony Music Nashville and released his first BNA single in 1995. Chesney's upcoming album, Welcome to the Fishbowl, will be part of the new agreement.

"I moved to Nashville to be a songwriter, so to have my own label imprint feels like beyond a dream come true," Chesney said. "Welcome to the Fishbowl is the most honest and authentic album I've ever recorded, and I'm thrilled to be able to release it on my own Blue Chair Records. It's the start of a great new chapter for me as an artist."

In conjunction with the announcement, the BNA imprint (which is the airport code for Nashville) has been retired. It was established in early '90s. All of the imprint's roster and staff will be folded into Columbia Nashville. Sony Music Nashville's other labels include Arista Nashville and RCA Nashville.