Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment is an American independent country music label created as a joint venture outside HYBE. It is owned predominantly by Scott Borchetta and president/CEO Jimmy Harnen, with HYBE holding a minority ownership stake. Nashville Harbor handles distribution for Riley Green, Shaylen, The Band Perry, and Greylan James. The label was created in 2024 as a way to transition certain artists out of the HYBE-owned Big Machine Label Group structure while keeping the transition seamless for the artists. Nashville Harbor shares staff with the relaunched Big Machine Records.
Nashville Harbor was created a couple of years before the 2026 Borchetta departure from HYBE America, as a way to make an eventual transition seamless. Riley Green, one of the biggest country stars of the 2020s, is distributed through Nashville Harbor. The label's 2026 activity includes Riley Green's continued success and The Band Perry's return to the roster. Nashville Harbor operates as an independent label outside HYBE, with distribution through Universal via HYBE distribution.
How Nashville Harbor Operates
Nashville Harbor runs dedicated A&R under president/CEO Jimmy Harnen and Scott Borchetta. It is owned predominantly by Borchetta and Harnen, with HYBE holding a minority stake. Distribution flows through Universal via HYBE distribution. The label shares staff with the relaunched Big Machine Records, creating a unified Nashville independent operation. Its strength is its independence from HYBE while maintaining access to HYBE's distribution and backroom services.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make country music, Nashville Harbor Records is an independent Nashville label with access to major-label distribution (Universal via HYBE). Its ownership structure (Borchetta and Harnen majority, HYBE minority) gives it independence while preserving HYBE connectivity. Its roster of Riley Green and The Band Perry shows it can work with established country acts.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Country focus: Nashville Harbor signs country and Americana. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
- No unsolicited demos: Nashville Harbor does not accept cold submissions.
- Shared staff: Nashville Harbor shares staff with Big Machine Records, which means limited bandwidth for a large combined roster.
- New label: Nashville Harbor was created in 2024, so its long-term strategy is still developing.
Notable Artists and Releases
| Artist | Release | Year | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Green | There Was This Girl (single) | 2018 | Billboard Country Airplay #12, RIAA Platinum, YouTube 2.2M views (static version) |
| Riley Green | I Wish Grandpas Never Died (single) | 2019 | Billboard Country Airplay #12, RIAA Platinum, YouTube 62.9M views (audio) |
| Riley Green | Different Round Here (album) | 2019 | Billboard Top Country Albums #3, Billboard 200 #13 |
| Riley Green | Behind the Bar (EP) | 2021 | Billboard Top Country Albums top 10 |
| The Band Perry | Return to roster (re-signing) | 2024 | Nashville Harbor distribution |
| Riley Green | Worst Way (single, Jimmy Kimmel Live) | 2025 | National TV performance, YouTube circulation |
| Shaylen | Solo country releases | 2024 to 2026 | Nashville Harbor distribution |
| Greylan James | Debut country releases | 2024 to 2026 | Nashville Harbor distribution |
Videos
Deal Structures
Nashville Harbor Records operates as an independent country music label with distribution through Universal Music Group via HYBE distribution. The label offers traditional recording deals to country artists, with ownership structured as a joint venture outside HYBE (Scott Borchetta and president/CEO Jimmy Harnen majority, HYBE minority stake). Deal structures are negotiated on a per-artist basis. The label shares staff with the relaunched Big Machine Records, creating a unified Nashville independent operation with access to major-label distribution infrastructure. Artists signed to Nashville Harbor receive distribution, marketing, and radio promotion through the combined Nashville Harbor and Big Machine team.
How Artists Get Signed
Nashville Harbor Records does not accept unsolicited demos. President/CEO Jimmy Harnen and Scott Borchetta sign artists through A&R scouting and industry referrals within the Nashville country music community. The label targets established country artists and artists with a strong touring and streaming profile. Riley Green, one of the biggest country stars of the 2020s, was brought into the Nashville Harbor structure during the transition from the HYBE-owned Big Machine Label Group. The Band Perry returned to the roster in 2024 through the same transition process. Artists interested in Nashville Harbor should build a strong independent country music profile (touring, streaming, and radio presence) and seek Nashville representation.
Similar Labels
- Big Machine Records - Nashville Harbor's sister label with shared staff
- Curb Records - Independent Nashville country label
- BBR Music Group - BMG-owned Nashville country label group
- Rounder Records - Independent label with Americana and country roots
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Nashville Harbor deal contains
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building a country music profile
- Tour Revenue Calculator - Touring income for country artists
- Big Machine Records - Nashville Harbor's sister label
- Nashville Harbor Records Official Site - Roster and news
