This is not confirmed, just a topic of interest. I recently read that Scott Brochetta (Taylor Swift, Big Machine Label Group CEO) who has worked with Shania in the past, is planning on launching a new label, NASH Icons. Here is what the label said in a press release back in mid-June about its launch.
"BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP and CUMULUS (NASDAQ: CMLS) together announce that longtime music industry executive JIM WEATHERSON will serve as General Manager of their NASH ICONS record label and live events joint venture, effective immediately.
NASH ICONS, a strategic partnership between the two entertainment and media leaders, was created last month to expand the growing NASH platform by showcasing Nashville’s most iconic talent from the last 25 years. In addition to the partnership with Big Machine, Cumulus will introduce NASH ICONS branding on some owned-and-operated radio stations and syndicate NASH ICONS content to affiliate stations through WestwoodOne.
Weatherson has a 35-year history of working with some of the biggest musical talents and brands. He most recently led the Nashville office of 19 Entertainment, owner of the American Idol franchise, and previously led projects for Taylor Swift in a management role at 13 Management.
During his tenure at Walt Disney Records, Weatherson was appointed General Manger in 2006 with worldwide responsibilities that resulted in record-breaking sales highlighted by the Platinum and Multi-Platinum branded releases of Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Cars and Tron. His projects featured music from such artists as Miley Cyrus, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Daft Punk and many others.
"I have known Scott Borchetta for nearly 25 years and I am honestly thrilled and honored to finally get to work directly with him and his team as well as Cumulus on this groundbreaking concept,” said Weatherson.
“Jim Weatherson is the perfect executive to lead the charge for NASH ICONS. We have a longstanding relationship of working together on some of the biggest Country artists and album releases in history. To land him and have his 100% focus on ICONS will only lead to one thing: success,” said Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta.
“Jim’s experience and the respect he’s earned in the music business will enable NASH ICONS to quickly become a leader in recording and live events for the Country stars we hold in such high regard,” said John Dickey, Executive Vice President and co-COO of Cumulus.
NASH ICONS provides a new distribution platform for Country music’s most iconic artists, including their future recordings. Driven by Country music fans’ desire for more exposure to their all-time favorite artists, NASH ICONS is an important complement to the more contemporary-focused NASH brand. Like its sister brand, NASH ICONS will provide advertisers the opportunity to engage with the passionate Country fan base across a multi-media platform that spans radio, television, digital, magazine and live events.
NASH ICONS is based at the NASH Campus in Nashville, the nation's only multi-media facility devoted solely to producing and distributing content based on the Country music lifestyle. Featuring three studios designed for a combination of TV and radio programming, indoor and outdoor event space, a print newsroom and extensive office space, leading Country stars such as Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum and Sheryl Crow are among the early visitors.
Cumulus created the NASH entertainment brand based on the Country music lifestyle in 2013 starting with flagship radio station NASH FM 94.7 in New York City, which has rapidly become one of the most-listened-to Country stations in the nation."
The article got me thinking and I know several fans have discussed a similar topic in the past (I don't remember if it were here on this Board or somewhere else). Does anyone think Brochetta would seek out Shania? The whole point of this new label is to revive careers or heighten exposure for the big stars of the past who don't receive as much exposure now. If Shania were to release a new album next year, this would allow her to work with a whole new team who would potentially work more effectively. Mercury didn't seem all that excited about anything she did in 2011-2012. There was little to no promotion. I get that 'Today' wasn't a huge single, but they also didn't promote the "Endless Love" single that well. It was the album's lead single and it didn't even enter the charts at country radio.
I also know that somewhere in Shania's book, she states she signed with Mercury for I believe it was eight albums. She has completed half of that. Does anyone know if there was a date of expiration that she discussed in the book or any other time for that matter. Was it eight studio albums, or just a combination of any type of release that totaled eight? Leaving Mercury would mean she would leave behind the team that launched her career (Luke Lewis, etc...) unless some of them plan to move over to the new Nash division.
Overall, does anyone see any benefit if Shania were to move over to Nash? Again, this isn't confirmed news just thoughts.
I've read about the label before, and I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to recruit Shan.
I think what she would need to be successful is for the label to penetrate the mainstream country market. They need to get in on the countdown shows (TV and radio), award shows, front page of iTunes, tours, etc. I'm concerned that if Nash has its own radio stations, its artists will only get airplay on those stations. She also needs a bang-up production team and marketing team. I think part of what killed the Today single is that David Foster is a very mellow guy in terms of production style, and she needed a headbanger. (I'm still rooting for Alison Krauss as producer, myself; other possible contenders might be Joey Moi, Rick Rubin, Jay Joyce?)
I would be worried about hits packages, remix/acoustic albums, covers albums instead of actual new music. Especially from a label called "Nash Icons."
I can see the label going after Shan, Reba, Faith, Martina, LeAnn Rimes, maybe people like Lee Ann Womack, Wynonna, etc. For guys, maybe people like George Strait, Randy Travis, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson? Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks have music deals are still big today, so I doubt they would make the transition.
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"I'm a maker of love songs! A chanteuse!" - Shannie
