Ben Dickey

Ethan Hawke, Charlie Sexton and Louis Black have teamed up to launch a distinctive new boutique record label, SexHawkeBlack Records. The Austin, TX-based label will operate as an imprint of the celebrated Nashville-based music company Dualtone, and will be helmed by label president and another Austin-based industry veteran, Erika Pinktipps.

“All of us at SexHawkeBlack feel like we struck it rich with the Dualtone partnership. From our first conversations, it was obvious we both had the same mission: to celebrate music at its best, and to seek out and champion unheralded artists at the top of their game,” said Ethan Hawke, co-founder of SexHawkeBlack. “Dualtone’s integrity speaks for itself and we’re proud to be branch on their tree.”

Scott Robinson, CEO of Dualtone, an Entertainment One company, said “We’ve been exploring an imprint scenario for years but couldn’t develop the right creative opportunity. SexHawkeBlack (Ethan Hawke, Louis Black, and Charlie Sexton) is the perfect team and we are looking forward to launching and building SexHawkeBlack/Dualtone.”

The first artist to be officially signed to SexHawkeBlack is Ben Dickey, the gifted singer/songwriter and acclaimed star of the new independent film BLAZE, in which he stars as legendary country music artist Blaze Foley. Dickey has already garnered enthusiastic press attention for his exceptional performance in BLAZE – he won the Sundance Film Festival’s U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Achievement in Acting – as well as for his own outstanding songwriting and folk-blues-rock-infused live performances. His highly-anticipated full-length debut studio album for SexHawkeBlack Records entitled A Glimmer On The Outskirts will be released in Spring 2019.

“After we finished the film BLAZE, I thought it was important for Ben Dickey to step forward with his own music. Much the same way BLAZE introduced Blaze Foley’s music to a wider audience — Charlie, Louis and I hope to introduce Ben Dickey’s music to fans near and far,” remarked Hawke. “The experience of making BLAZE was so powerful for Charlie, Louis and me, and SexHawkeBlack hopes to continue our shared passion of celebrating music.”

The concept of SexHawkeBlack developed over several years of casual jokes and conversations in recording studios until it became a reality in 2018. Last March, knowing they would be in town for the SXSW premiere of BLAZE, recording time had been booked at Austin’s legendary Arlyn Studios. The recording sessions, produced by Charlie Sexton who also mixed, led the band, and played guitar on the album, were relaxed and the atmosphere friendly, creative and collaborative. During the sessions, Hawke and Black visited the studio. Black is also an executive producer of BLAZE and is the co-founder of both SXSW and the The Austin Chronicle. The threesome was equally enthralled by Dickey’s music and eager to find a collaborative way to share their love for what they were hearing.

“Ethan and I were recording some songs for the Boyhood soundtrack and I was well aware of Ethan’s love of music over the years. Once the recording session began it was clear just how deep that love ran in his blood as a fan as well as a writer,” recalled Sexton. “During that session, he turned to me and with sincere heartfelt excitement said, ‘We should have a band or something – we can call it Sexhawke.’ This conversation continued over the next few years, and eventually with the addition of Louis Black, who is equally obsessed with all things music, film, and art, we arrived at SexHawkeBlack Records.”

“Now it all seems pre-destined,” noted Black, “Not only was the film a blessed and special project, but it has ended up leading to exciting projects that none of us would have predicted. In many ways I think Blaze is guiding this work, which means we can’t be stopped.” Black continued, “First a film, then Dickey’s album and now SexHawkeBlack. Onward through the fog!”

Cody Johnson. Photo: JTrevino/facebook/TheCodyJohnsonBand

Cody Johnson already has a running start for his forthcoming Jan. 18, 2019 album, Ain’t Nothin’ To It.

Not just because he’s already an A-list Texas artist—able to move all 75,000 tickets at the Houston Rodeo and sell 350,000 tickets a year—but his debut single with Warner Music Nashville, “On My Way To You,” debuted at the top of the digital sales chart.

Since it debuted in August, the Tony Lane and Brett James-written track has moved 30K units and already has a music video. The single will be among five gratis tracks available Friday with a pre-order from the Trent Willmon-produced project.

On Friday, Oct. 19, Johnson touched down his live show at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works.

Although Johnson recently told MusicRow there originally was some resistance from Texas with his alignment with a major label, the Nashville crowd rode through the new tunes with ease. “The record was done before we got a deal,” Johnson dispelled.

Familiar titles like “Me And My Kind” were sung back at full force, allowing fans a moment to recharge and memorize new tracks. Those included the familiar branded posture in “Doubt Me Now,” the fiddle-driven mid-tempo heartbreaker “Understand Why,” sexy ballad “Nothin’ On You,” and one of Johnson’s co-written contributions to the project, “Dear Rodeo.”

Johnson’s show briefly hinted at the country’s current political tensions. A version of Charlie Daniels’ “Long Haired Country Boy” he covers on his forthcoming project was performed alongside a new, mid-tempo, “Monday Morning Merle.” This paired with a cover of Merle Haggard’s “Fightin’ Side Of Me,” which Johnson asked first responders and military to raise hands while he defended the religious and speech freedoms of everyone in America, even those of different religions or those who take a knee.

This bold step comes from a man who has gained popularity from speaking his mind. The former semi-pro rodeo bull rider, turned prison guard, previously hit No. 2 with his 2016 project, Gotta Be Me. From the way things are sounding, 2019 could tip the scales even further in Johnson’s favor.