HYBE America Nashville Launches Blue Highway Records

Photo Credit: Blue Highway Records

HYBE America has quickly announced a rebranding of its Nashville-based country and roots rock division. Blue Highway Records launches effective immediately, with BMLG — aka ‘Big Machine Label Group’ — officially retired.

Today, HYBE America chairman and CEO Isaac Lee announced a rebranding of the company’s Nashville-based country, Americana, and roots rock division, effective immediately. Blue Highway Records will be headed by long-standing music, marketing, and entertainment leader Jake Basden.

The move closely follows the departure of Scott Borchetta, who’s taking ‘Big Machine Label Group’ brand (but not assets) with him. Borchetta first joined HYBE in 2021, and officially exited the fold last week.

Most recently, Basden served as President of Sandbox Management, where he oversaw all aspects of the talent division’s representation and business development, guiding the careers of talent including Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Kate Hudson, Kelsea Ballerini, Baby Nova, and Little Big Town.

“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,” said Lee.

“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,” said Basden of the appointment. “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.”

Blue Highway Records will be home to a number of marquee talent on the label’s roster including 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, while the publishing company Big Machine Music will remain under HYBE America.

“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 said. “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.”