Martina McBride has signed to the new Republic Nashville label after spending nearly two decades with RCA Records. McBride and Republic Nashville executives Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen made the announcement at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville on Monday morning (Nov. 8).
“You know, I’ve had an amazing career,” McBride said. “I’ve been fortunate enough and blessed enough to sell a lot of records and get to see the world and these great 50 states we have and just have an amazing life. I had a great 18-year partnership with RCA and [former RCA label head] Joe Galante, and we had a wonderful run. When this opportunity came up to work with Jimmy and Scott, it just felt right.”
She continued, “Change isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s difficult, but [with] this, all I could see was the future — my future. I have the utmost respect for them and everything that they have done. Their passion and excitement and energy are contagious. I am so excited to have that passion, energy and excitement focused on my career now. I’m over-the-top excited today to be here. I cannot wait for you guys to hear the new music. I’m fired up and feel like I have a focus and energy for making music that I haven’t had in a long time. So, here’s to the future.”
McBride released her first RCA single, “The Time Has Come,” in 1992, and has landed 19 Top 10 hits on the Billboard country airplay chart, including five No. 1 singles. She has also sold 18 million albums for the label. Galante, who was one of McBride’s biggest champions, exited RCA’s parent company, Sony Music, in April.
The Republic Nashville label was formed in 2009 as a partnership between Big Machine Records (home to Taylor Swift) and Universal Republic. Other artists on the Republic Nashville roster include The Band Perry (“If I Die Young”), Eli Young Band,Jaron and the Long Road to Love (“Pray for You”) and Sunny Sweeney (“From a Table Away”). The Big Machine Label Group is also home to the Valory Music Co., whose roster includes Jewel, Reba McEntire, Justin Moore and Jimmy Wayne.
Materials distributed after the press conference indicate McBride will begin working with producer Byron Gallimore on a new album in December. His production credits include hits with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, among others.
McBride is currently nominated for female vocalist of the year at this year’s CMA Awards taking place Wednesday (Nov. 10) in Nashville. She has won the award four times, tying with McEntire for the most wins in the category.
Courtesy of CMT.com.
