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Adkins Joins Show Dog Universal

January 13, 2010/by Sarah Skates

toby-marktraceadkinsPlatinum star Trace Adkins is the first signing under the newly combined Show Dog-Universal Music. Principle Toby Keith and President Mark Wright held a press conference today (1/13) at BMI in Nashville to share the news and discuss the evolving label.

Adkins—celebrating his birthday today—joined them at the event, telling reporters that he had 15 good years at Capitol Records, but was excited about the new partnership. He and Keith have known each other for many years but became better acquainted and discovered how much they have in common on tour together last summer. Adkins recalled seeing Keith onstage every night, describing him as “a 12-year-old on Christmas morning.” Then joking, “It’s real…he ain’t that good an actor.”

Adkins has been working on new music; of it Keith told the crowd, “he finally saw what he wants and went for it… it’s got edge, it’s got smile.”

Keith and Wright, who have known each other at least 16 years, talked of other details of the merger, calling the newly combined label a “perfect match.”

Keith’s superstar power is expected to bring big opportunities for the newer acts signed to the label. They can join him on the road, and play his namesake Bar And Grills.

Known for operating his Show Dog outside of the major label system, Keith said navigating Nashville’s political waters is one of the many assets Wright brings to the deal. While Keith has distanced himself from the Nashville system, and the benefits that go with it, he said the rising artists at Show Dog-Universal deserve the chance to be part of it if they want, specifically the awards shows.

In negotiations, Keith said he basically laid everything he could ever want, including ownership of masters, on the table and Universal agreed.

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Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has been a writer and editor in the music business since 2004. She is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
Sarah Skates
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https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Sarah Skates https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Sarah Skates2010-01-13 14:47:272010-01-13 14:47:27Adkins Joins Show Dog Universal
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0 replies
  1. Jeff Griffith
    Jeff Griffith says:
    January 13, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    Nashville politics are way overrated, as is a lot of the music. Good for Toby to basically say “I’m doing it my way” and Trace likes it too.

    Log in to Reply
  2. rockerbillie
    rockerbillie says:
    January 13, 2010 at 5:24 pm

    This is exciting news!! A great merger and now another wonderfully talented artist added. Toby, this is the way to keep Rockin. I love it!! Right on Trace.

    Log in to Reply
  3. Lynn Baker
    Lynn Baker says:
    January 13, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    Happy Birthday Trace! Now perhaps you will do a concert in New Mexico this year.You and Rhonda can stay at my Hacienda. Give Rhonda may love and congrats , you deserve to be the Biggest star Nashville ever had. Your friend, Lynn Baker

    Log in to Reply
    • Rhonda
      Rhonda says:
      January 13, 2010 at 10:44 pm

      Miss you Lynn!!! Thanks for the kind words. Call me.

      Log in to Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. uberVU - social comments says:
    January 16, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by nashvillekelly: Trace Adkins to Capitol, “You’re Gonna Miss This.” https://musicrow.com/2010/01/adkins-joins-show-dog-universal/…

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