What if Reba's joining Carolwood Records?

[Matt B]

He already has started a label with Byron Gallimore called Stylesonic. They signed and produced Halfway 2 Hazard and shopped them with a 50/50 partnership with Mercury. But you're right, I could see him officially being on Stylesonic.

I'd forgotten about the Halfway to Hazard deal. He actually made a pass for CCR, but they didn't want to give McGraw creative control. With all of his endorsements, investments, and diversification, I'd expect him to want to want to be on his own label and possibly produce more artists. I think he probably influenced Kenny Chesney with his recent liquor endorsement.

I'm surprised he's stayed with Curb this long. Didn't he have a huge dispute with them several years ago (as did LeAnn Rimes -- everybody seems to have trouble with this label)? I know it was resolved, but I figured he'd jump ship as soon as the contract expired -- which it must have done a long time ago.

Well, when Tim was inexperienced and new and wanting a deal, any deal, he signed with Curb. While they stay loyal to artists they often have iron-clad, label-benefiting contracts that make most major label contracts look really great (at least that's what they did in the 1990s early part of this decade). While those contracts have helped an artist like Hal Ketchum and Rodney Atkins (staying 'major label' artists), it also can hurt careers. I would suspect Tim will do much what Brady wrote. I can see him becoming a CEO of a label and signing and having success with artists.

[Razor X]

Well, when Tim was inexperienced and new and wanting a deal, any deal, he signed with Curb. While they stay loyal to artists they often have iron-clad, label-benefiting contracts that make most major label contracts look really great (at least that's what they did in the 1990s early part of this decade).

Yes, but surely this can't be the first opportunity he's had to get out of his association with Curb. He first signed with them in 1993; surely it wasn't a 15-year contract? He must have re-signed with them at some point following that last dispute, wouldn't you think?

[Matt B]

Well, when Tim was inexperienced and new and wanting a deal, any deal, he signed with Curb. While they stay loyal to artists they often have iron-clad, label-benefiting contracts that make most major label contracts look really great (at least that's what they did in the 1990s early part of this decade).

Yes, but surely this can't be the first opportunity he's had to get out of his association with Curb. He first signed with them in 1993; surely it wasn't a 15-year contract? He must have re-signed with them at some point following that last dispute, wouldn't you think?

Many, Many artists originally sign 7 to 15 album contracts in the beginning. Curb Records seems to be a label that keeps artists to those contracts. He was trying to renegotiate higher rates of return from the label, not to get out of the deal. He's now in a position to do what he wants but still has the roots of an original contract to deal with.

[Matt B]

With their song now Top 10 and continuing an unexpected rise, I just found out that Live Nations isn't The Zac Brown Band's label. They are their concert promoter and single promoter only. So, with that being said, would they be the 'known quantity' that's signing to Carolwood. It'd make sense for Carolwood as the band has national exposure and a completed album ready to go. The label and the group are both going to announce their plans soon so could this be a good pairing? I don't know...

[Jordan Stacey]

well it turns out it was Jessica Andrews who will be the known artist. I just gotta say I called it . An really I'm glad it's Jessica I think she's a perfect fit for the label and It'll be great to hear her on the radio again.

[Occasional Hope]

Jessica seems like such an underwhelming choice to be an "established" star to break a new label. I didn't think she was ever a particularly big star to start with.

I am actually mildly interested to see if she has developed as an artist now that she's an adult. As a teenager, I thought she had a good voice but her songs never interested me artistically at all. I always thought she was signed too young - didn't she get her deal around the time the young LeAnn Rimes was making waves? I don't feel very confident that working with one of Rascal Flatts will bring out anything very listenable (for me - it might work for today's "country" radio), but I'm prepared to give her the benefit of a fairly small doubt.

[Brady]

I'm with you Occasional Hope. Jessica Andrews does seem to be an underwhelming choice for a "known quantity."

[JCH]

I certainly did not see that one coming.

[JR Journey]

I didn't see this coming either. I more expected some American Idol alumnus or that type of 'known quantity', not someone who's career needs major reviving.

[Jordan Stacey]

I agree that I don't think she can carry a label but her last album actually had a lot of good material, it was pop country but it was really good pop country. Like I've said I hope she can have some sucess now.

[TenPoundHammer]

Lyric Street is like Curb. They hyperfocus on one artist (Tim in Curb's case, RF in Lyric Street's case) and ignore the rest. I'm sure that Josh Gracin, Sarah Buxton, Phil "I Sing Flatter than Alfalfa" Stacey, Trent "Where the *(@#$ is my second album" and SHeDAISY could back me up on this.

[Matt B]

Lyric Street is like Curb. They hyperfocus on one artist (Tim in Curb's case, RF in Lyric Street's case) and ignore the rest. I'm sure that Josh Gracin, Sarah Buxton, Phil "I Sing Flatter than Alfalfa" Stacey, Trent "Where the *(@#$ is my second album" and SHeDAISY could back me up on this.

No they don't focus on one artist. The fact of the matter is that the way radio is nowadays, it's harder to get a hit single. They started Carolwood to be able to get more music on the charts. Phil Stacey's no longer with Lyric Street. Sarah's new single is doing fine and josh and Bucky Covington both have singles doing ok on radio right now. Curb is having success with more than McGraw.

[Rainbow]

Curb is evil. They aren't promoting by beloved LeAnn Rimes properly.

It could have something to do with she suing them a few years back...

[Chris D]

Lyric Street is like Curb. They hyperfocus on one artist (Tim in Curb's case, RF in Lyric Street's case) and ignore the rest. I'm sure that Josh Gracin, Sarah Buxton, Phil "I Sing Flatter than Alfalfa" Stacey, Trent "Where the *(@#$ is my second album" and SHeDAISY could back me up on this.

No they don't focus on one artist. The fact of the matter is that the way radio is nowadays, it's harder to get a hit single. They started Carolwood to be able to get more music on the charts. Phil Stacey's no longer with Lyric Street. Sarah's new single is doing fine and josh and Bucky Covington both have singles doing ok on radio right now. Curb is having success with more than McGraw.

SHeDAISY is also almost done with their new album, so they should have a new single sometime this winter. (The album is expected in March)

I kind of agree that some labels to focus on one artists too much. Big machine almost ignores Trisha Yearwood while focusing on Taylor Swift all the time, while Lyric seems to only care about Rascal Flatts.

[TenPoundHammer]

Lyric Street is like Curb. They hyperfocus on one artist (Tim in Curb's case, RF in Lyric Street's case) and ignore the rest. I'm sure that Josh Gracin, Sarah Buxton, Phil "I Sing Flatter than Alfalfa" Stacey, Trent "Where the *(@#$ is my second album" and SHeDAISY could back me up on this.

No they don't focus on one artist. The fact of the matter is that the way radio is nowadays, it's harder to get a hit single. They started Carolwood to be able to get more music on the charts. Phil Stacey's no longer with Lyric Street. Sarah's new single is doing fine and josh and Bucky Covington both have singles doing ok on radio right now. Curb is having success with more than McGraw.

Then can you explain why, after 12 years, LeAnn Rimes still hasn't broken through? Why Curb screwed her over by releasing an album without her consent, then screwed over Tim by releasing Greatest Hits 3.1415926 just because they're trying to delay the last studio album in his contract? Why Amy Dalley had SEVEN singles released but no album?

Actually come to think of it, BNA is just as bad. They trapped Lonestar in that sippy cup formula and it totally wrecked their careers. Kenny's been trapped on the beach for ages now, but he's not even close to being buried yet. And Kellie Pickler gets all the promotion in the world, yet radio totally snubs her.

[indulgedcountrymusic]

Actually come to think of it, BNA is just as bad. They trapped Lonestar in that sippy cup formula and it totally wrecked their careers. Kenny's been trapped on the beach for ages now, but he's not even close to being buried yet. And Kellie Pickler gets all the promotion in the world, yet radio totally snubs her.

Kellie Pickler deserves the radio alongside that promotion, she's really one of the best new country artists to come out recently -- I predict her second single, "Best Days of Your Life", will be the breakthrough (it is, after all, co-written by Swift)

[Jordan Stacey]

If you look at almost all the major labels they focus on one artist alot. It's usually their most susseful artist which makes sense since they make them the most money. I think Capitol records does the best in spreading out their promotion of their artists. meanwhile Big Machine seems to have forgotten they have Danielle Peck on their label.

[indulgedcountrymusic]

Big Machine seems to have forgotten they have Danielle Peck on their label.

They've also been doing next to nothing for Kate & Kacey Coppola either

"You're Not My Judge" fell flat on its face after it got released... it had a crappy home video-style music vid and they'd had no promotion either

[Jordan Stacey]

Indug

They've also been doing next to nothing for Kate & Kacey Coppola either

"You're Not My Judge" fell flat on its face after it got released... it had a crappy home video-style music vid and they'd had no promotion either

Yeah I noticed that too. If you go on Big Machine's site they aren't even listed anywhere. Same with Caitlin & Will over at sonybmg. Looks like Joey+Rory are the only one's to benefit from that show, which is great for them but sad for the rest.

[Matt B]

Lyric Street is like Curb. They hyperfocus on one artist (Tim in Curb's case, RF in Lyric Street's case) and ignore the rest. I'm sure that Josh Gracin, Sarah Buxton, Phil "I Sing Flatter than Alfalfa" Stacey, Trent "Where the *(@#$ is my second album" and SHeDAISY could back me up on this.

No they don't focus on one artist. The fact of the matter is that the way radio is nowadays, it's harder to get a hit single. They started Carolwood to be able to get more music on the charts. Phil Stacey's no longer with Lyric Street. Sarah's new single is doing fine and josh and Bucky Covington both have singles doing ok on radio right now. Curb is having success with more than McGraw.

Then can you explain why, after 12 years, LeAnn Rimes still hasn't broken through? Why Curb screwed her over by releasing an album without her consent, then screwed over Tim by releasing Greatest Hits 3.1415926 just because they're trying to delay the last studio album in his contract? Why Amy Dalley had SEVEN singles released but no album?

Actually come to think of it, BNA is just as bad. They trapped Lonestar in that sippy cup formula and it totally wrecked their careers. Kenny's been trapped on the beach for ages now, but he's not even close to being buried yet. And Kellie Pickler gets all the promotion in the world, yet radio totally snubs her.

Dude, I won't defend CURB but I don't think you can Blame BNA for Lonestar's 'family songs.' That was mainly Richie McDonald. Also, Few probably noticed this but Kenny now has ownership in his music with "Blue Chair Records" partnering with BNA for his latest album so his 'beach' is all him and NOT the label. When smaller labels 'focus' on one artist, particularly when that artist is their major cash cow, isn't that supposed to help these other artists be able to 'gestate' and release at the right time. Carolwood Records' choice of Jessica Andrews makes sense since she's still that young female they're looking for while also being known at radio from her still played "Who I Am" song. If you look at the labels history, they did a similar thing with Lari White when they started out. She was a 'known quantity' who had about as many hits as Jessica.