Tim McGraw Exits Sony Music Nashville
After three years, Tim McGraw and Sony Music Nashville have parted ways, Billboard reports and Music Row confirms. The superstar…
Tim McGraw; Photo by Andrew Wendowski 2
After three years, Tim McGraw and Sony Music Nashville have parted ways, Billboard reports and Music Row confirms.
The superstar joined Sony Music Nashville’s Columbia Nashville imprint in 2017 when he and wife Faith Hill inked a multi-album deal with the label. The couple went on to release their duets album, The Rest of Our Life, via Sony’s Arista Nashville imprint in the fall of 2017. That album included the Top 20 hit “Speak To a Girl.”
McGraw also released two solo singles while signed to Columbia Nashville, including “Neon Church” and “Thought About You,” both of which peaked within the Top 20.
Billboard reports that Hill is still signed to Sony Music Entertainment.
The news of McGraw’s departure from Columbia Nashville comes weeks after the announcement of his massive Here On Earth Tour, which kicks off July 10. The superstar later revealed that his next album, also titled Here On Earth, would be available with the online purchase of tickets for the tour, however, there’s no word yet on if McGraw has partnered with a new label for the release of Here On Earth.
Tim McGraw has been relatively quiet on the music front as of late, but he’s continued to grow other aspects of his business in recent months. In 2018, McGraw partnered with TRUMAV on a line of fitness centers and in 2019, he released a book, Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life, detailing his fitness journey. He also spent time on the road in 2019 with historian Jon Meacham promoting their co-written book, Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music That Made a Nation.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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