Mark Bright, Cole Johnstone, April Rider Team For Foundry Records

Pictured (L-R): Cole Johnstone, Mark Bright and April Rider. Photo: Glen Rose

Producer Mark Bright, artist manager Cole Johnstone and record label veteran April Rider have entered into a strategic alliance with ADA Worldwide to create new entertainment company Foundry Records, a full-service independent record label based out of Nashville, that is dedicated to long-term artist development and will include a diverse roster of artists.

Johnstone will serve as General Manager, overseeing all day-to-day label operations, while continuing to operate Johnstone Entertainment, which guides the careers of Shenandoah and Austin Merrill. Bright will oversee A&R for the new label, while continuing to produce an array of artists. Rider will serve as VP, Marketing and Promotion.

The venture’s first signings, details on the label’s full staff and office location will be revealed soon.

“I am beyond excited to be in business with Mark, April and ADA on this label,” said Johnstone. “I’ve helped create and operate many artist-owned independent label imprints over the years from a management standpoint and this was the natural next step. When the opportunity presented itself for the three of us to partner together and create Foundry Records, it was a no brainer. Mark and April are both well-known and highly respected executives in the industry and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

Prior to forming Johnstone Entertainment in 2015, Johnstone also helped manage the careers of Big and Rich, Randy Owen, John Rich and The Farm at Morris Higham Management.

Bright’s past production work includes music with collaborators including Carrie Underwood, Reba, Sting, Vince Gill, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, Billy Ray Cyrus, Luke Bryan, Shakira and more.

Rider’s background includes work with artists such as Tim McGraw, Thompson Square, Jo Dee Messina, Lee Ann Womack, Rodney Atkins, Lee Brice, Hank Williams, Jr., Gary Allan, Logan Mize, Maggie Rose and LeAnn Rimes throughout her time as Sr. VP, Promotion at Curb Records, GM at BBR’s Stoney Creek Records, and artist management at RPM Entertainment Group.

ADA Worldwide, the independent distribution division of Warner Music Group, will support Foundry Records across sales and distribution on a global scale.

Johnstone can be reached at cole@thefoundryrecords.com, while Rider can be reached at april@thefoundryrecords.com.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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