Hey Now Records launches with flagship artist Kenny Chesney
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Chesney and label make history as first release, “Carry On,” added at every reporting radio station
When it comes to heavy hitters in Nashville, nobody swings harder for the fences than Clint Higham, Kris Lamb and John Esposito.
Now, Higham, Lamb and Esposito are combining their talent and experience with the launch of their new venture, the independent music label Hey Now Records. The label’s first signing and flagship artist is Kenny Chesney for whom Higham has served as the artist’s longtime manager. The name of label was inspired by Chesney’s boat, the Hey Now, immortalized in his song “Happy on the Hey Now (A Song for Kristi).”
Chesney and his label have already made headlines. Chesney’s new single, “Carry On,” in its first week of release, was added to the playlist of every one of the ‘reporting’ country radio stations for the Radio & Records/MediaBase/Country Aircheck chart. This is only the third time such a feat has been achieved in the 52-year history of that chart. (The two previous add sweepers were “I Had Some Help,” Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen, and “Long Neck Bottle,” Garth Brooks.) Country Aircheck Weekly gave kudos to Lamb along with Brooke Diaz, Bill Lubitz, Jane Staszak, Anne Scott Welch and the rest of the Hey Now crew in their May 11 issue.
Listen / Play / watch “Carry On” here.
“Carry On” was written by Chase McGill, Matt Jenkins and Jessi Alexander. Of the single, Chesney said he had wanted to find a song that would make people happy, but also give them permission to live “in the moment.”
Hey Now’s founders have stated that the label will be a boutique operation with a staff covering promotion, streaming, marketing, and A&R. Speaking of how the project came about, Esposito said, “Hey Now Records was born out of conversations Clint, Kenny and I had about the increasing lack of focus that artists are getting as rosters increase while staffs shrink.”
Lamb noted that Hey Now is, “A place where whatever we can conceive, we can realize. This is more than a dream; this is a gateway to creating an entirely new form and reality of Artist Development.”
On the beautiful spring evening of Monday, May 11, Esposito, Higham and Lamb invited friends and industry associates to a ‘Happy Hour’ to mark the official launch of Hey Now Records. The laid-back event took place at and around Hey Now’s Music Row headquarters. The business occupies a carefully restored historic bungalow on 17th Avenue South.
Hey Now’s founders bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. With years leading Warner Music Nashville, Esposito has helped shape the careers of artist such as Blake Shelton, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldridge and Gabby Barrett. Lamb brings the experience of 15 years in leadership roles at Big Machine Label Group, most recently as GM/EVP, Big Machine Records. In addition to his role as Chesney’s manager, Higham is president and partner at Morris Higham Management whose client list includes Dailey & Vincent, Greylan James, Louise Mandrell and Old Dominion.
Find more about Hey Now Records at their website. Find Kenny Chesney’s music and tour info at kennychesney.com and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok, plus news about his book, Heart Life Music, here.
About Preshias Harris
JournalistPreshias Harris is a music journalist who has interviewed everyone from Alabama to ZZ Top for articles and stories published in numerous music magazines. She is the author of longest-running monthly country music column in America and authored The College of Songology™ 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s ‘Need To Know’ Reference Handbook. As a music career development consultant with special emphasis on emerging and aspiring artists and songwriters, she focuses on ‘chasing the dream’ while understanding the realities of the music industry. She maintains a writers’ room on Music Row – named The Sangtuary – for her clients and their co-writers. She is a member of ASCAP (as a publisher), BMI, The Country Music Association (CMA), The Recording Academy, The National Association of Talent Directors (NATD) and a life member of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).
You can find out more about Preshias at https://www.collegeofsongology.com and find her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com
