Lady Antebellum Parts Ways with Long-Time Label, Signs with Big Machine Label Group
This is a new chapter for the trio.
After ten years, Lady Antebellum is ready to start a new chapter. The trio has parted ways with their longtime label Capitol Nashville (a branch of the Universal Music Group) and signed with Big Machine Label Group’s BMLG Records.
The move reconnects the group’s Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood with BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta and BMLGR President Jimmy Harnen, with whom they’ve previously crossed paths.
BMLG staff congregates to surprise and celebrate signing of superstar act Lady A; Photo Credit: Jason Kempin / Getty Images
“We have been truly blessed throughout our career to work with some of the brightest people in music,” said Scott. “We’ve watched BMLG become the powerhouse they are from the sidelines and couldn’t be more excited to become part of their family. We hope to honor all the people who have been part of our story over the last 10 years – can’t wait to work with some old friends again and are excited for where it takes us all together!”
“Lady Antebellum is the consummate vocal group,” Borchetta added. “Hillary, Charles and Dave have a special chemistry that only the greatest bands of all time have and what you see is what they sing – and it’s the sort of thing no label can create, only magnify. I am delighted that we get to assist them in writing the next chapter in their extraordinary career.”
Lady A’s connection with Borchetta and Harnen began years ago when the two worked with Scott’s parents and were among those helping the band during their early days.
Pictured (L-R): BMLGR’s Matthew Hargis, BMLG’s Sandi Spika Borchetta, BMLGR’s Jimmy Harnen, Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Lady A’s Dave Haywood, BMLG’s Andrew Kautz, Allison Jones and Mike Rittberg; Photo Credit: Jason Kempin / Getty Images
“It is the grand reuniting of a large musical family,” Harnen said in a statement. “Scott Borchetta and I worked with Linda Davis, Hillary’s mom (as well as her father Lang Scott) when we were both at DreamWorks. Michelle Tigard Kammerer worked closely with Lady A when they signed to CAA, and Matthew Hargis and I helped break the band at radio on their debut album. The long associations, close ties and the group’s always incredible music is literally why we do this.”
During their time with UMG, the band won seven GRAMMYs, six CMA Awards, seven ACM Awards and four American Music Awards. They recently released their record Heart Break, featuring songs “You Look Good” and “Heart Break.”
