CMT News

Big Machine Records Creates New Label With Universal Republic

Big Machine Records, Taylor Swift's label home, has formed a partnership with another label, Universal Republic, to create a new label, Republic Nashville. The announcement was made Friday (June 5) by Universal Republic president/CEO Monte Lipman and Big Machine president/CEO Scott Borchetta. Big Machine and Universal Republic first joined forces in 2007 to promote Swift to non-country radio formats to become the best-selling artist in all musical genres in 2008. Republic Nashville will launch with a roster that includes singer-songwriter Sunny Sweeney and a new country duo, Fast Ryde. Sweeney's most recent album, Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame, was released by Big Machine in 2007. Big Machine's roster also includes Trisha Yearwood, Jack Ingram and Kate & Kacey. Its sister label, the Valory Music Co., has a roster that includes Reba McEntire, Jewel, Jimmy Wayne, Justin Moore and Emerson Drive. Universal Republic's artists include Amy Winehouse, Colbie Caillat, Tori Amos, Hinder, 3 Doors Down, Godsmack, Jack Johnson, Lil Jon and others.