Foundry Records Signs Shenandoah, Austin Merrill

Pictured (L-R, back row): ADA’s Robert Turner, Producer/Foundry Records’ Mark Bright, Foundry Records’ April Rider;(L-R, front row): Johnstone Entertainment/Foundry Records’ Cole Johnstone, Shenandoah’s Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire, Austin Merrill. Photo: Glen Rose

Country group Shenandoah and singer-songwriter Austin Merrill have been signed to Foundry Records, a full-service independent record label established recently by music industry veterans Mark Bright, Cole Johnstone and April Rider as a strategic alliance with ADA Worldwide.

“We’re excited to be able to provide industry veterans such as Mark, Cole and April with the additional resources that they need to bring both established artists such as Shenandoah, as well as up-and-comers like Austin Merrill, to a global audience,” says ADA President of A&R and Label Services Kenny Weagly. “This partnership is another example of ADA’s growing footprint in Nashville, where we are excited to support the flourishing independent music culture.”

“Shenandoah begins another chapter with great confidence in the individuals of Foundry Records,” says Marty Raybon of Shenandoah. “Cole Johnstone is one of the most motivated people I’ve ever met; he knows nothing less than the extra mile. Mark Bright’s credits speak volumes as a hit maker and we look forward to doing just that with him, April and a wonderful staff at Foundry.”

Shenandoah has garnered more than a dozen No. 1 hits, including “Two Dozen Roses,” “The Church on Cumberland Road,” “Next To You, Next to Me,” and their Grammy-winning duet with Alison Krauss, “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart.”

Oregon native Merrill’s debut EP Whiskey & Water was also produced by Bright. Merrill is currently featured as part of CMT’s Next Up Now Series.