Big Machine Records
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 by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta and became a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith. The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift was the first artist signed by the label. The purchase of Big Machine Records by Scooter Braun in 2019 resulted in a highly publicized dispute with Swift regarding the ownership of the masters to the albums.
| Big Machine Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Big Machine Label Group (Hybe Corporation) |
| Founded | September 1, 2005 |
| Founder | Scott Borchetta |
| Distributor | Universal Music Group |
| Genre | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Official website | 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[1] by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta and became a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith.[2] The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift was the first artist signed by the label. The purchase of Big Machine Records by Scooter Braun in 2019 resulted in a highly publicized dispute with Swift regarding the ownership of the masters to the albums.
History
[edit]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.[3] 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."[3]
He formed the label in 2005, naming it "Big Machine" after a 2004 song by the band Velvet Revolver.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]
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."[2][3][7]
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.[8]
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.[9]
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."[10]
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."[3] Following the release of 1989, Swift's contract with Big Machine obliged her to produce one more full-length album for the label.[3]
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.[11]
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.[10]
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".[12]
In November 2017, Swift released her sixth studio album Reputation, her last album released under Big Machine before her contract with the label expired in November 2018. Swift later signed with Republic Records, under a deal in which she would maintain ownership of her master recordings going forward.[13][14][15]
Spotify dispute
[edit]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.[16]
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.[17]
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.[18]
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".[18][19] 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."[10]
Taylor Swift's catalog returned to Spotify in June 2017.[20]
Acquisition by Ithaca Holdings
[edit]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.[21] 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.[22] 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.[23] Later that night, Scott Borchetta revealed through the Big Machine Label Group website his and Swift's conversation regarding the purchase.[24]
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.[25][26] 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.[27] On November 16, 2020, Variety reported that Big Machine had sold the rights to Taylor Swift's first six albums to Shamrock Holdings.[28] Swift stated that she had not been contacted about the sale.[29] 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
[edit]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.[30][31]
Imprints
[edit]| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music & entertainment |
| Founded | September 1, 2005 |
| Founder | Scott Borchetta |
| Headquarters | Music Row, , United States |
Key people | Scott Borchetta (CEO) Sandi Spika Borchetta (VP Creative Services) Andrew Kautz, General Manager |
| Parent | Ithaca Holdings |
| Divisions | Big Machine Records Valory Music Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment |
| Website | bigmachinelabelgroup.com |
Valory Music Co.
[edit]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.[32]
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.[33] 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.[34]
Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
[edit]Big Machine joined with Universal Republic Records in June 2009 to found a new label, Republic Nashville.[35] 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
[edit]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.[36] Dot was shuttered in March 2017 and a number of its artists moved to other Big Machine imprints.
Nash Icon Records
[edit]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.[37][38]
On October 21, 2014, it was announced that McEntire would be the first artist signed to Nash Icon Music.[39] Nash Icon Records folded into Big Machine Records in 2018.
Big Machine Records
[edit]Current artists
[edit]- Kristian Bush[40]
- The Cadillac Three[41]
- Daughtry
- Jackson Dean[42]
- Mae Estes[43]
- Cole Goodwin
- Ray Wylie Hubbard
- Ryan Hurd[44]
- Chase McDaniel[45]
- Mötley Crüe[46]
- Tim McGraw
- Midland[41]
- Carly Pearce[41]
- Rascal Flatts
Former artists
[edit]- Tucker Beathard
- Danielle Bradbery (returned to Big Machine in 2020)[47]
- Garth Brooks (Big Machine/Pearl)
- Callista Clark[48]
- Dusty Drake
- Edens Edge
- Adam Gregory (Big Machine/Midas/Open Road)[8]
- Trent Harmon
- Jack Ingram
- Lauren Jenkins[49]
- Kate & Kacey
- Brian Kelley[50]
- Reba McEntire
- Jennifer Nettles
- Todd O'Neill (Nash Next)
- Danielle Peck
- Melissa Peterman[51] (Comedy Artist)
- Noah Schnacky[52]
- Payton Smith[53]
- Something Out West
- Steel Magnolia
- Sugarland
- Sunny Sweeney (moved to Republic)
- Taylor Swift (moved to Republic)[41]
- Waterloo Revival
- Jimmy Wayne (moved to Valory)
- Trisha Yearwood
Former Nash Icon Records artists
[edit]- Breaking Southwest
- Reba McEntire (moved to Big Machine)
- Ronnie Dunn (moved to Big Machine)
- Martina McBride
- Hank Williams Jr.
Nashville Harbor Records artists
[edit]- The Band Perry[54]
- Riley Green
- Greylan James[55]
- Caroline Jones
- Lady A[56][57]
- Shaylen[58]
- Brett Young[59]
Former artists
[edit]- Greg Bates[60]
- Laci Kaye Booth[52]
- Eli Young Band (moved to Valory)[61]
- Fast Ryde[62]
- Florida Georgia Line[63]
- Ryan Follese[63]
- Noah Hicks[64]
- Chris Janson[65]
- Jaron and the Long Road to Love[61]
- Jackie Lee[66]
- Martina McBride (moved to Nash Icon)[67]
- Cassadee Pope[63]
- Shane Profitt[52][68]
- SHEL[61]
- Dallas Smith[69]
- Sunny Sweeney[61]
- A Thousand Horses[63]
- Drake White[70]
Former Dot Records artists
[edit]- Tucker Beathard (moved to Big Machine)
- Craig Wayne Boyd[71]
- Ashley Campbell[70]
- Aaron Lewis (moved to Valory)
- Maddie & Tae
- Carly Pearce (moved to Big Machine)
- Drake White (moved to BMLG)
- Steven Tyler[70]
- The Shires[70]
- Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground Artist's/Republic Records/John Varvatos Records)
Valory Music Co. roster
[edit]- Braedon Barnhill[72]
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Preston Cooper
- Sheryl Crow
- Eli Young Band[73]
- Aaron Lewis[74]
- Justin Moore[74]
- Kidd G (also with Geffen Records)[75]
- RaeLynn
- Thomas Rhett[74]
Former artists
[edit]- Delta Rae[76]
- Emerson Drive (Valory/Midas/Open Road)[8]
- Brantley Gilbert[77]
- Jewel[8]
- Tiera Kennedy
- The Mavericks
- Reba McEntire (moved to Nash Icon)[8]
- RaeLynn[74]
- Tyler Rich[78]
- Heath Sanders
- Conner Smith[79]
- Tara Thompson
- Jimmy Wayne[8]
Big Machine/John Varvatos Records
[edit]Founded in 2014 originally as a joint venture between John Varvatos and Universal Music Group's Republic Records label, it became a division of the Big Machine Label Group under its current name in 2018.[80]
- Badflower[41] (Big Machine/John Varvatos Records)
- Ayron Jones (Big Machine/John Varvatos Records)[81]
- The Struts
Former pop artists
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Caulfiend, Keith; Tucker, Ken (November 10, 2007). "Valory Unveiled". Billboard. Vol. 119, no. 45. p. 8.
- ^ a b Stark, Phyllis (March 11, 2006). "The Honeymoon's Hardly Over, but Show Dog and Big Machine split". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Leonard, Devin (November 12, 2014). "Taylor Swift Is the Music Industry". Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ Willman, Chris (October 26, 2015). "Big Machine's Scott Borchetta on Taylor Swift, the Fight Against Free and Remaining 'Bold and Disruptive' on 10-Year Anniversary". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- ^ "Jack Ingram's trip from psychology to mainstream country". The Leaf Chronicle. January 22, 2006. pp. D8. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ "Jack Ingram Hits Country Charts with Live – Wherever You Are". VOA. October 31, 2009. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Hiatt, Brian (October 25, 2012). "Taylor Swift in Wonderland". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Morris, Edward (March 3, 2009). "Country Rosters Remain Stable Despite Sales Downturn". CMT News. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ Pham, Jason (February 6, 2023). "How Many Grammys Does Taylor Swift Have? The Number May Surprise You". StyleCaster. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c Newman, Melinda (February 5, 2015). "Taylor Swift's Label Boss on Her Future, His Spotify Showdown and 'American Idol'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ Rau, Nate (January 12, 2015). "Zac Brown Band aligns with Big Machine". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- ^ Dauphin, Chuck (May 30, 2017). "Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Launches Vodka Brand". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Wang, Amy X. (November 19, 2018). "Taylor Swift's New Record Deal Affects Thousands of Other Musicians". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
- ^ Willman, Chris (August 27, 2018). "Taylor Swift Stands to Make Music Business History as a Free Agent". Variety. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
- ^ Aswad, Jem; Willman, Chris (November 19, 2018). "Taylor Swift Signs New Deal With Universal Music Group". Variety. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
- ^ Linshi, Jack (November 3, 2014). "Here's Why Taylor Swift Pulled Her Music From Spotify". Time. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert pull music from Spotify". Toronto Sun. November 12, 2014. Archived from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ a b Mansfield, Brian (November 4, 2014). "Taylor Swift says goodbye to Spotify". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ Popper, Ben (November 13, 2014). "Spotify says it paid Taylor Swift millions. Her label disagrees. Here's the truth". The Verge. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
- ^ Bado, Kirk A. (June 8, 2017). "Taylor Swift returning her music to Spotify". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ Karp, Hannah (October 30, 2018). "Universal Is Only Major Label Left in Running to Buy Taylor Swift's Big Machine Label Group, as Bids Top $300M". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Christman, Ed (June 30, 2019). "Scooter Braun Acquires Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group, Taylor Swift Catalog For Over $300 Million". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Swift, Taylor (June 30, 2019). "Taylor Swift". Taylor Swift. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ "So, It's Time For Some Truth ..." Big Machine Label Group. June 30, 2019. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ Adler, Dan (November 22, 2019). "Just in Time: Scooter Braun Breaks His Silence on Taylor Swift Ahead of the American Music Awards". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Alder, Dan (November 22, 2019). "Just in Time: Scooter Braun Breaks His Silence on Taylor Swift Ahead of the American Music Awards". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Moreau, Jordan (November 25, 2020). "Taylor Swift Reveals Which Song She's Most Excited to Re-Record". Variety. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Scooter Braun Sells Taylor Swift's Big Machine Masters for Big Payday". November 16, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew; Minsker, Evan (November 16, 2020). "Taylor Swift Responds to Scooter Braun Selling Her Masters, Confirms She's Re-Recording Her First Albums". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley; Frater, Patrick (April 2, 2021). "HYBE, Formerly Big Hit Entertainment, Merges With Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings Bringing Together BTS, Justin Bieber, Big Machine (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ Ingham, Tim (April 2, 2021). "Scooter Braun Sells Ithaca Holdings To Hybe, Formerly Known As Big Hit Entertainment". Music Business Worldwide. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Big Machine starts new label, signs Jewel, Jimmy Wayne, Justin Moore". Country Standard Time. November 2, 2007. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
- ^ "On Music Row: Valory takes Emerson Drive in tow". The City Paper. September 15, 2008. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (November 11, 2008). "Reba McEntire Signs With Valory Music". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "New Nashville label starts with Sunny Sweeney aboard". Country Standard Time. June 5, 2009. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
- ^ Rau, Nate (March 24, 2014). "Big Machine resurrects Dot Records name". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ Ho, Rodney. "Oldies 98.9 becomes older-skewing country NASH Icon 98.9". Radio & TV Talk Blog (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ "Nash Icons launches across the country". Radio Insight. August 15, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
- ^ Dauphin, Chuck (October 21, 2014). "Reba McEntire Becomes Nash Icon Music Label's Inaugural Signing". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
- ^ "Big Machine Records". Big Machine Label Group. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Big Machine Records – Artists". Big Machine Records. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ "| Big Machine Label Group". Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ "Mae Estes Signs with Big Machine Records". November 17, 2023. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ "Big Machine Records Archives".
- ^ "Big Machine Records Archives". Big Machine Label Group. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "BIG MACHINE RECORDS SIGNS THE WORLD'S MOST NOTORIOUS ROCK BAND, MÖTLEY CRÜE". April 23, 2024.
- ^ "Artists".
- ^ "Big Machine Records Archives". Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "10 New Country Artists You Need To Know". Rolling Stone. July 1, 2016. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- ^ "Big Machine Records Archives". Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ "Melissa Peterman Signs to Big Machine Records". CMT.com. February 23, 2010. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Artists". Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "Artists". Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
- ^ "The Band Perry Part Ways With Big Machine". Billboard. March 1, 2016. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ^ "BMLG Records Archives - Big Machine Label Group". Big Machine Label Group. Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ "Lady Antebellum Signs with Big Machine". September 4, 2018. Archived from the original on September 5, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ "BREAKING: Lady Antebellum Changes Band Name". June 11, 2020. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ "Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment Archives". Big Machine Label Group. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Big Machine Label Group Signs Brett Young". Big Machine Records. August 21, 2015. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- ^ "Republic Nashville Signs Greg Bates". Big Machine Records. December 7, 2011. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Big Machine Publicity Adds Burr". MusicRow. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ "Big Machine Records Creates New Label With Universal Republic". CMT.com. June 5, 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Republic Nashville – Artists". Republic Nashville. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (April 10, 2024). "Noah Hicks Signs With Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment". MusicRow.com. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Janson Signs with Big Machine Label Group". September 28, 2022. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ "Jackie Lee Inks Deal with Republic Nashville". Big Machine Records. February 16, 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ "Martina McBride Signs to Republic Nashville". CMT.com. November 8, 2010. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ "Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment Archives".
- ^ Foster, Ben (October 10, 2013). "Canadian Country Star Dallas Smith Signs With Republic Nashville; Releases First Single to iTunes". Roughstock. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Dot Records – Artists". Dot Records. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ "'Voice' Bummers: Kimberly Nichole Leaves Show, Craig Wayne Boyd Leaves Label". Yahoo!. June 13, 2015. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ "Valory Music Co Archives".
- ^ "Eli Young Band Make Move to the Valory Music Co". Valory Music Co. July 8, 2015. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Valory Music Co. – Artists". Valory Music Co. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ "Artists". Big Machine Label Group. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Taylor Swift fans unite to support Delta Rae after band leaves Big Machine". Taste Of Country. July 2, 2019. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ https://musicrow.com/2025/10/brantley-gilbert-signs-with-bbr-music-group-bmg-nashville/
- ^ "Valory Music Co Archives". Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "| Big Machine Label Group". Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ John Varvatos Records. Discogs.
- ^ "Artists". Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ "Laura Signed To Big Machine Records". Laura Marano Official Website. March 28, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
- ^ "Who Is Fancy Talks Shedding The Mystery". Billboard. April 10, 2015. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
