Yahoo Lifestyle Blake Shelton and Warner Music Nashville Split Up After a Two-Decade Run
Blake Shelton and Warner Music Nashville had one of the longest-surviving artist/label relationships in the business, going back more than two decades, but it’s over now, as the singer and the company jointly announced Tuesday that they are “amicably parting ways.”
Shelton’s first album with Warner’s Nashville division was his sophomore release “The Dreamer,” which came out in early 2003, following an earlier debut on the Giant label. His last full album for the label, “Body Language,” came out more than three years ago, in May 2021.
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In a statement, Shelton said, “I moved to Nashville when I was 17 to sing country music and get a record deal. Along with the support from Warner, my dreams came true, and then some. It’s impossible to name everyone who has had a hand in all the success we enjoyed, but a huge and heartfelt thank you to the Giant Records, Warner Bros. Records and Warner Music Nashville staff and family.”
Warner Music Nashville also released a statement, unattributed to any individual. “Working alongside Blake these past 23 years has been an honor and a privilege,” it said. “Together, we’ve celebrated a record number of hit songs, sold-out tours and award wins. Blake’s talent is undeniable, but that wit of his, and the countless moments of laughter he’s given us remind us how fun this business of music can be. While our time together has come to an end, we count ourselves amongst his biggest fans and are grateful for the ride with this true gentleman and icon.”
A possible cooling off of the once-tight relationship with Warner Music Nashville was not wholly unanticipated, as Shelton’s longtime producer, Scott Hendricks, left his executive role at the label last year. Last December, Hendricks, who then held the role of executive VP of A&R and creative advisor, announced that he would be departing at the close of the year after a 16-year run with Warner. He said at the time that he would continue to work with Shelton as an independent producer. Hendricks’ exit came about a year after John Esposito retired as chairman-CEO and handed the reins to Ben Kline and Cris Lacy at the beginning of 2023.
Shelton’s tenure with Warner encompassed almost all of his 28 No. 1 country hits. The press release announcing his departure said that he has accumulated 11 billion global streams, 13 million albums and 52 million singles sold. He set a new chart record by having 17 consecutive songs reach No. 1, with the record actually being shattered when he had his 11th straight single top the chart.
Shelton’s last two No. 1 country hits for the company were back-to-back singles featuring his wife, Gwen Stefani, both in 2020: “Nobody but You” and “Happy Anywhere.” (This year, he released a follow-up song with Stefani as a stand-alone single, “Purple Irises”; it peaked at No. 34 in country airplay but made it to the top 20 in the adult contemporary format.)
Of course, Shelton’s success in country was parlayed into international mainstream stardom via his role as a judge on television’s “The Voice,” which featured him as a judge from 2011 until he left the show last year.
In 2022, Shelton sold ownership of his master recordings from 2001 to 2019 to Influence Media Partners. It was reported at the time that the deal allowed for him to continue to profit from the use of that catalog on top of the money he received in the sale.
Shelton spent the better part of 2024 doing a just-wrapped tour, and he has a residency booked at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace for Feb. 5-15.
With Miranda Lambert leaving Sony Music Nashville last year after 18 years to go to Republic, and Kenny Chesney having left Sony in 2018 to sign with Warner Nashville, there are few examples left of artists with current chart-topping potential who have been with the same company for decades, although Luke Bryan’s run with Capitol Nashville goes back to 2007.
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