Big Machine Records

Big Machine Records is an American independent country music label founded in September 2005 by Scott Borchetta in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally the flagship of Big Machine Label Group, Borchetta reacquired the Big Machine Records brand from HYBE America in early 2026 and relaunched the label. The relaunched roster includes Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Lady A, The Jack Wharff Band, Aaron Lewis, Cole Goodwin, and Mackenzie Carpenter. Riley Green is distributed through Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, an independent label outside HYBE that shares staff with Big Machine.

Big Machine has a 20-year history of signing some of the biggest names in country music. Taylor Swift was the first signing, and the roster over the years has included Reba McEntire, Thomas Rhett, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Motley Crue, Dolly Parton, Carly Pearce, and Riley Green. In 2019, Ithaca Holdings purchased Big Machine Label Group for an estimated $300 million, and HYBE then acquired Ithaca Holdings in 2021 for $1.05 billion. In early 2026, Borchetta departed HYBE America, reacquired the Big Machine Records brand, and relaunched the label. HYBE retained other BMLG assets (rebranded as Blue Highway Records) including Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, and Carly Pearce.

Tim McGraw has been one of Big Machine's most successful signings. His 2013 single "Highway Don't Care," featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, has accumulated over 79 million views on YouTube and won the CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year. The song was part of McGraw's Two Lanes of Freedom album, released on Big Machine Records.

Notable Artists and Releases

Big Machine Records' catalog spans two decades of country music. The label's most significant artists and releases include:

• Taylor Swift (catalog, 2005 to 2018): The first artist signed to Big Machine. Her six albums on the label (Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, Reputation) sold over 50 million copies worldwide. In June 2019, Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Label Group for an estimated $300 million, including the master recordings of Swift's first six albums. Swift subsequently re-recorded four of those albums as "Taylor's Version" to regain ownership of her catalog. She signed with Universal Music Group's Republic Records in November 2018, owning all masters from that point forward.
• Tim McGraw (active): Signed to Big Machine in 2012. "Highway Don't Care" (2013, featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban) reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year. His 2024 single "One Bad Habit" has over 2.8 million YouTube views. McGraw remains on the relaunched 2026 roster.
• Rascal Flatts (active): The trio of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney signed to Big Machine's Lyric Street Records imprint and later moved to Big Machine Records proper. "I Won't Let Go" (2011) has 25 million YouTube views. "Life Is a Highway" (from the Pixar film Cars, 2006) has over 73 million views and was certified 6x platinum. In 2025, the band released Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets, featuring collaborations with Jonas Brothers, Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and Lzzy Hale. The Life Is a Highway Tour sold 140,000 tickets in less than a week when announced in October 2024, and a second leg was announced for 2026 with Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane as openers.
• Lady A (active): Formerly known as Lady Antebellum, the trio of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood signed to Big Machine's Capitol Nashville imprint. "Need You Now" (2009) won four Grammy Awards including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. "Ocean" (2019) has over 15 million YouTube views. The group released On This Winter's Night (Volume Two) in September 2025 on Big Machine Label Group.
• Florida Georgia Line (catalog): The duo of Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard had massive commercial success on Big Machine. "Cruise" (2012) became one of the best-selling digital country singles of all time. The duo is no longer active together.
• Garth Brooks (catalog): Signed to Big Machine in 2016. His album Man Against Machine and subsequent releases were distributed through Big Machine's Pearl Records imprint.
• The Jack Wharff Band (active): Part of the relaunched 2026 roster. The band performed at the Grand Ole Opry in February 2026.
• Mackenzie Carpenter (active): A newer signing on the relaunched 2026 roster, part of Big Machine's effort to develop emerging country talent.

How Big Machine Operates

The relaunched Big Machine Records runs its own A&R under founder Scott Borchetta. It shares staff with Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, an independent label outside HYBE in which Borchetta holds majority ownership and HYBE holds a minority stake. Distribution flows through Universal via HYBE distribution, and Borchetta maintains access to HYBE backroom services, marketing, and the international team. The label's 2026 activity includes Rascal Flatts' Life Is a Highway Tour (which returned to Nashville's Bridgestone Arena in February 2026 for the first time in over a decade) and The Jack Wharff Band's Grand Ole Opry performance in February 2026.

Deal Structures and Royalties

Big Machine Records operates on standard Nashville independent label terms, though specific contracts vary by artist. Typical deal structures include:

• Traditional recording deal: Big Machine funds recording, marketing, and distribution through Universal. Artists receive an advance against royalties. Major-label distributed independents like Big Machine typically offer royalty rates of 15% to 22% of suggested retail price, with standard deductions for packaging, free goods, and video production costs. Advances for established country acts can be substantial, while newer artists receive smaller advances.
• Master ownership: Big Machine typically owns master recordings for the deal term. The Taylor Swift master recordings dispute (2019 to 2021) brought national attention to this practice, when Swift's first six album masters were sold to Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings as part of the $300 million Big Machine Label Group acquisition. Swift re-recorded her first four albums as "Taylor's Version" to reclaim commercial control, a strategy that has since been discussed widely in industry contract negotiations.
• 360 provisions: Big Machine's deals have historically included provisions for a percentage of touring, merchandising, and other income streams, consistent with major Nashville label practices. These percentages typically range from 10% to 20% depending on the artist's leverage and career stage.
• Publishing: Big Machine Music (the publishing arm) administers songwriting catalogs. Songwriters signed to Big Machine Music receive mechanical royalties and sync licensing revenue, with the publisher retaining a percentage (typically 25% to 50% depending on the deal).
• Creative control: Borchetta is known for giving established artists significant creative latitude. Taylor Swift's transition from country to pop was supported by the label, and Tim McGraw has released both traditional country and crossover material on Big Machine.

Artists considering Big Machine should understand that the label's A&R is highly selective and relationship-driven. The Nashville country music ecosystem relies heavily on co-writing sessions, publishing deals, and touring circuits. Big Machine typically signs artists who have already built traction through streaming, radio play, or live performance, rather than developing raw talent from scratch.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make country or Americana music, Big Machine Records is one of the most established independent Nashville labels, with a 20-year track record of breaking country superstars. The 2026 relaunch under Borchetta's independent ownership signals a return to the label's founder-led roots. Its distribution through Universal and HYBE gives it global reach while preserving independence.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Country focus: Big Machine signs country, Americana, and roots rock. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
• No unsolicited demos: Big Machine does not accept cold submissions.
• Relaunch transition: The 2026 relaunch means the label is rebuilding its roster. Some artists stayed with HYBE's Blue Highway Records.
• Nashville network: Big Machine's A&R is rooted in the Nashville country ecosystem. Artists outside that network may find it harder to get attention.

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Big Machine deal contains
• How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building a country music profile
• Tour Revenue Calculator - Touring income for country artists
• Blue Highway Records - The HYBE-owned successor to BMLG
• Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment - Sister label sharing staff with Big Machine
• Columbia Records - Major label with country music history
• RCA Records - Major label with Nashville operations
• Warner Records - Major label with country division (Warner Music Nashville)
• Capitol Music Group - Universal-owned label group with country imprint
• Curb Records - Independent Nashville label with comparable country focus
• Black River Entertainment - Independent Nashville country label
• Big Machine Records Official Site - Roster and news