Hybe America Relaunches Big Machine Label Group as Blue Highway Records, Appoints Jake Basden as CEO

In a major restructuring of its Nashville operations, Hybe America has relaunched the famed Big Machine Label Group as Blue Highway Records, a new imprint dedicated to country and Americana music. This move follows last week's departure of industry veteran Scott Borchetta, who founded the original Big Machine Records in 2005. The company has appointed Jake Basden, a seasoned music executive with deep roots in the genre, as the Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed label.

Basden leaves his role as President of Sandbox Management, a position he assumed in 2023 after a 12-year tenure at Big Machine Label Group as Senior Vice President of Communications. At Sandbox, he oversaw the careers of acclaimed artists like Kacey Musgraves, whose 2018 album 'Golden Hour' won the Grammy for Album of the Year, and Brandi Carlile. In a statement, Basden expressed enthusiasm for the new venture: "Country and American roots music is at such a dynamic place, and 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." He added that he remains close with Sandbox co-president Jason Owen, whom he praised as a "dynamic innovator," and anticipates future collaborations across music, film, and television.

The Blue Highway Records roster will feature established stars including Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, and Carly Pearce. It will also handle distribution for artists like Riley Green under the Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment banner. As part of the reorganization, The Valory Music Co. will be folded into Blue Highway, while the publishing arm, Big Machine Music, will remain under the Hybe America umbrella. This strategic shift allows Hybe to consolidate its country music assets under a fresh brand with dedicated leadership.

Industry analysts note this relaunch represents Hybe America's latest effort to solidify its presence in the lucrative country market since its landmark 2021 acquisition of Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings, a billion-dollar deal that included the Big Machine assets. Isaac Lee, Chairman and CEO of Hybe America, emphasized Basden's artist-centric approach in his appointment. "We found someone that would not only connect with our team and build our company culture, but has profound ties to this community," Lee stated, highlighting Basden's deep Nashville roots and modern vision for success in the digital era.

This transition marks a new chapter for the label group that famously launched Taylor Swift's career, releasing her debut and six subsequent albums. Scott Borchetta, who departed as part of this restructuring, will retain the rights to the Big Machine Records name for his future ventures. The creation of Blue Highway Records under Jake Basden's leadership signals Hybe's commitment to competing at the highest level in Nashville, leveraging global infrastructure to amplify distinctly American sounds.