The company said Blue Highway Records will keep BMLG’s existing assets, distribution deals and roster. Its artists and songwriters include Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce and Preston Cooper. Through Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, it handles distribution for Riley Green, The Band Perry and Greylan James. Valory Music is set to be folded into Blue Highway Records, while publishing company Big Machine Music will remain under HYBE America.
Basden most recently served as president of Nashville-based Sandbox Management, overseeing artist management and business development. HYBE America said he has worked with artists including Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Kate Hudson and Kelsea Ballerini.
Basden previously served at BMLG as senior vice president of publicity, working closely with Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw and Steven Tyler, the company said. It also credited him with leading music campaigns for NBC’s “The Voice” and Fox’s “American Idol,” and noted that a song from the documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me” earned an Academy Award nomination for best original song.
Isaac Lee, HYBE America’s chairman and CEO, said the company prioritized choosing “someone who puts artists first” and called Basden a strong fit with deep ties to Nashville’s music community. Lee said Basden’s experience and “modern sensibility” for the digital era will help Blue Highway Records grow and expand HYBE’s influence in North America.
Basden said Blue Highway Records is well positioned to help define the future sound of country and American roots music. He said combining HYBE’s capabilities with global synergy would remove limits on creativity, and that he plans to work with current and future artists on music and projects that resonate with audiences.
Scott Borchetta, who led BMLG, recently left the company and reacquired the brand rights to “Big Machine Records” from HYBE America.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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