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Interscope Geffen A&M Revives Lost Highway Label in Nashville
In a significant move to deepen its presence in Nashville, Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA) Records has announced the relaunch of the iconic Lost Highway imprint.
The revitalized label will be co-led by Robert Knotts, a former executive at Thirty Tigers, and Jake Gear, previously with Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN), who will both serve as executive vice presidents.
Lost Highway, named after the classic song popularized by Hank Williams in 1949, last operated 13 years ago, having been originally launched by then-UMGN head Luke Lewis in 2000, who retired in 2012.
Under Lewis’s direction, the label showcased a diverse range of roots-oriented artists, including renowned names like Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, and Kacey Musgraves, who signed in 2011, shortly before the label’s absorption into Mercury Nashville.
The label was also notable for producing soundtracks, such as the Grammy-winning O Brother, Where Art Thou, which was produced by T Bone Burnett.
Janick expressed that Knotts and Gear were selected for their artistic vision that aligns with the label’s distinguished past. Knotts, who previously advanced to senior vice president of artist and label services at Thirty Tigers, has collaborated with a multitude of artists, including Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson.
“My career has always been about serving the artist’s vision while fostering a deep emotional connection to their work. Lost Highway made significant contributions to Nashville by offering a haven for genre-defying artists and acknowledging that an artist’s vision is pivotal to cultural evolution,” Knotts commented. “It is a privilege to continue this legacy alongside my close colleague, Jake Gear. With John Janick’s leadership and the resources of the Interscope team, we have a remarkable chance to merge an artist-first philosophy with IGA’s capacity to create expansive worlds around an artist’s vision.”
Gear previously served as vice president of A&R at UMG Nashville, where he was instrumental in developing emerging talents like Tucker Wetmore and Vincent Mason, in addition to working on projects for established artists such as Dierks Bentley and Jordan Davis.
“The history of Lost Highway holds great significance for me, as many of its artists were influential in shaping my own appreciation for songwriting. The label has consistently been ahead of the curve, championing artistry and taking creative risks to spotlight artists who operate beyond the mainstream,” Gear remarked, expressing enthusiasm about curating new talent alongside Knotts and with Interscope’s support.
Earlier this year, Lost Highway was tentatively revived by UMG Nashville’s chair/CEO Cindy Mabe, in collaboration with producer Burnett. Their inaugural release, Ringo Starr’s country album Look Up, was launched on January 10. Burnett is expected to collaborate with the IGA version of the label as well, working on a 25th anniversary edition of the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack. Details regarding the new roster and staffing, along with a release date for the reissue, are anticipated to be disclosed soon.
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