BREAKING: HYBE AMERICA Nashville Launches Blue Highway Records, Taps Jake Basden As CEO

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Jake Basden. Photo: Allister Ann

HYBE AMERICA’s Nashville-based country, Americana and roots rock division will rebrand as Blue Highway Records, previously BMLG, effective immediately. Industry veteran Jake Basden has been appointed as Blue Highway Records’ Chief Executive Officer.

Blue Highway Records is home to Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce, Preston Cooper, Jackson Dean and Mae Estes, as well as distribution for Riley Green, Shaylen, The Band Perry and Greylan James under Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. The Valory Music Co. will be folded into Blue Highway Records. The publishing company Big Machine Music will remain under HYBE AMERICA.

Basden joins the company with deep relationships across music, film, television and live entertainment. He most recently served as President of Sandbox Management, where he oversaw all aspects of the talent division’s representation and business development. This new appointment marks a return to the company for Basden, who previously served as Senior Vice President of Communications for Big Machine Label Group.

“As we were searching for a leader for our new Nashville record label, it was important to choose someone that thought of artists first. We found someone that would not only connect with our team and build our company culture, but has profound ties to this community,” shares Isaac Lee, Chairman and CEO of HYBE AMERICA. “Jake’s long history of devoted service to artists, his time with our company and his deep roots in Nashville, along with his fresh and modern take on what will make the label successful in the digital age made him the ideal candidate for this role. We’re excited for what’s ahead for Blue Highway Records and for all that Jake will do to further expand our company’s footprint in Music City.”

“Country and American roots music is at such a dynamic place,” says Basden, “and I can think of no better place to define what the future of these sounds can be than Blue Highway. With the power and global synergy of HYBE, there are no limits to what we can create—and I look forward to working with the current roster and future signings to deliver artists, songs and projects that speak to the heart of who we are as people.

“We are starting with a diverse roster of passionate creators. Each is singular in who they are, but also how they write and realize their sound,” Basden adds. “From Thomas Rhett, a superstar who’s still filled with unmet potential to Jackson Dean, a songwriter with raw charisma and a gritty sound, Blue Highway is a place where being yourself invites originality and inspires listeners to find their own path. For CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Carly Pearce, Western-leaning progressives Midland and staunch American Justin Moore, country music is the bedrock for labelmates who have defined their own lane. When you factor in Preston Cooper, Brett Young and Mae Estes, the tradition of being your own kind of country remains in strong hands. Blue Highway is going to deliver the sound for country for the coming years.”

This announcement follows the news that BMLG founder Scott Borchetta was exiting HYBE, and reacquiring the Big Machine Records brand.

LB Cantrell
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