Interscope Geffen A&M is relaunching Lost Highway Records.
“Harkening back to its roots, the relaunched Nashville-based label is committed to nurturing the creative vision of each artist and building their global connections with an intuitive, entrepreneurial approach,” said a statement.
Founded in 2000 by Luke Lewis, Lost Highway became home to Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Ryan Bingham, Hayes Carll, Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers, Lyle Lovett, Tift Merritt, Robert Earl Keen, Shelby Lynne, Elvis Costello and Mary Gauthier. The label was absorbed into Mercury Nashville when Lewis retired in 2012.
John Janick, chairman & CEO, Interscope Capitol and IGA, said: “Lost Highway carved out a special place in the remarkable musical legacy of Nashville. It was a left-of-centre label with one-of-a-kind artists who, at their core, were great songwriters and moved culture. Similarly, Interscope has always been a beacon to artists who don’t fit into a box yet are destined to inspire what comes next. With this new chapter in Lost Highway’s history, we are devoted to empowering the next generation of trailblazers, both artists and executives.”
Janick has appointed Robert Knotts and Jake Gear to lead Lost Highway as executive vice presidents and co-heads of Lost Highway.
Knotts joins Lost Highway from Nashville-based Thirty Tigers, where he rose through the ranks from intern to senior vice president, artist and label services.
Over the past 12 years, he has played a key role in shaping the team, structure and culture of Thirty Tigers, while facilitating campaigns for such artists as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Sturgill Simpson, Lucinda Williams, Turnpike Troubadours, Maggie Antone, Muscadine Bloodline and more.
Robert Knotts said: "Over the course of my career, my goal has always been to operate in service to the artist’s vision while understanding the emotional connection to their art. It is with this same spirit that Lost Highway left a lasting impact on the Nashville community – providing a home for artists who aren't defined by genre and recognising that the artist’s vision ultimately shapes culture itself.
“I am honoured to carry that approach forward alongside one of my closest friends, Jake Gear. With John Janick's guidance, and support from the entire Interscope team, we have an incredible opportunity to combine an artist-first mentality with Interscope’s remarkable ability to help build worlds around an artist's vision."
With this new chapter in Lost Highway’s history, we are devoted to empowering the next generation of trailblazers, both artists and executives
John Janick
Jake Gear has joined Lost Highway from UMG Nashville. As vice president A&R, he was instrumental in signing and developing breakthrough artist Tucker Wetmore, working closely with Vincent Mason (who he previously signed for publishing), as well as A&Ring studio albums by Parker McCollum, Jordan Davis and Dierks Bentley and single releases from Sam Hunt, Josh Ross, Brothers Osborne and Brad Paisley.
He spent 12 years in the publishing community in Nashville, helping to land hit records with Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Eric Church. In 2020, he partnered with Hillary Lindsey and Concord Music to launch Hang Your Hat Music, and has produced albums from Hailey Whitters and Flatland Cavalry.
"Lost Highway has a rich history,” said Jake Gear. “Many of these releases and artists were formative in developing my own appreciation of the craft of songwriting. The label was a pioneer in taste, representing an ethos of artistry first, an openness to taking creative risks and shining a light on artists who drifted on the fringes of the major label-defined 'mainstream’. Together with my friend, Robert, and with the backing of John Janick and Interscope, I look forward to curating the roster."
T Bone Burnett, who produced the new country album for Ringo Starr, Look Up, on Lost Highway, will continue to collaborate with the label on a number of projects. The first of these is the 25th Anniversary edition of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack.
Subscribers can read our interview with Ringo Star and T Bone Burnett.
PHOTO: (L-R) Jake Gear and Bobby Knotts by Matt Paskert Horizontal
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