Matchbox Twenty’s Kyle Cook Opens Nashville Label

From left: Angela Everett, Kyle Cook, Mike Fiorentino, Ben Shaw

Matchbox Twenty’s Kyle Cook has partnered with longtime collaborator Mike Fiorentino and web developer Ben Shaw to create the Nashville-based label Tennessee Recording Company. Former Country Music Association and Haber Corporation alum Angela Everett serves as the company’s Director of Operations, overseeing the Nashville office and studio in the burgeoning Berry Hill music community.

The label will develop artists of different musical genres under one umbrella. The label’s debut project, an EP from hip-hop artist Maurico, will release Aug. 12.

The multi-talented musician, songwriter, singer, composer and producer Cook has compiled a dedicated team in Music City and London. Fiorentino brings producing, songwriting and engineering talents to the mix, while Shaw manages the company’s online presence from the United Kingdom.

“I always loved Tennessee, because there are so many great writers and musicians here – but, of course, there’s more to it than just country music,” Cook said. “When starting a label in Nashville, most people would think that the most obvious thing to do is to sign a country artist. But then, we’re just another needle in a haystack if we do that, aren’t we? Maurico is a talented singer and has a great sense of storytelling, with a heart-opening quality. So, Tennessee Recording Company wants to break a hip-hop artist out of Nashville… let’s get people talking.”

“We knew we didn’t want to be genre-specific with the music we put out,” said Fiorentino. “I grew up loving The Beatles, Hank Williams and Run DMC- and everything in between. Kyle and Ben have that same creative outlook. Making great music that really moves people is priority No. 1.”

Everett can be reached at 615-482-5621 or [email protected].