Nashville Industry Executives Launch By Design

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Pictured (L to R): Josh Thompson, Rod Riley, Jeremy Holley and Josh Bailey. Photo: William King

By Design, a new modern music company, has launched under the leadership of Josh Bailey, Jeremy Holley, Rod Riley and Josh Thompson. The label is announced as part of a larger ecosystem comprised of By Design, the record label and music publisher; Archetype Music, a music rights acquisitions company; and Blueprint, a nonprofit equipping creators. The first artists signed to the label include Frankie Ballard, Zoe Levert and Alex Jude, with additional artist signings to be announced.

Bailey spent more than 20 years at Word Entertainment and Capitol Christian Music Group developing artists like for King & Country and Anne Wilson. Holley has experience at Word and Warner Music Group, as well as launching FlyteVu. Riley co-founded Fervent records with his wife Susan and later sold the label to Word, where he led as CEO for a period of time. Thompson spent nearly a decade in label roles at Word before helping lead Futureshirts.

“When the right artist, the right song and the right team come together, the result can be both powerful and lasting.” shares Bailey. “My role has always been to listen for that alignment and create the space where God-given creativity can thrive.”

“At By Design, we’re putting a renewed focus on artist care and building the ecosystems needed to sustain it,” says Holley. “We’re shaping a model that’s as innovative as the artists we serve.”

“We’ve seen firsthand the possibilities and the challenges of the music business,” shares Riley. “And this is our response – building a home where creators thrive, and audiences feel it in the music.”

Thompson shares, “Partnership is built on trust. If we can look our creators in the eyes and know we’re truly building something together, that changes everything about how the music – and the culture it creates – takes shape.”

Lauryn Sink
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