Photo Credit: Jake Gear and Robert Knotts by Matt Paskert
Country label Lost Highway Records is making a return, thanks to Interscope Records, as Interscope CEO John Janick calls on Nashville veterans Robert Knotts and Jake Gear to man the helm. Both will serve as executive vice presidents and co-heads of Lost Highway.
Founded 25 years ago by former UMG Nashville CEO Luke Lewis, Lost Highway famously worked with artists like Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Ryan Adams, Elvis Costello, and Lucinda Williams. Lost Highway also released the fan favorite O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, which went 8x platinum and remains as one of only four movie soundtracks to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. After Lewis stepped down in 2012, Lost Highway was absorbed into Mercury Nashville.
“Lost Highway carved out a special place in the remarkable musical legacy of Nashville,” said Janick. “It was a left of center 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.”
Former UMG Nashville CEO Cindy Mabe announced a Lost Highway revival back in January alongside T-Bone Burnett, before the label released Ringo Starr’s country album, Looking Up. Burnett will work with the label on several projects, Interscope said, including a 25th anniversary edition of the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack.
Robert Knotts is coming to Lost Highway from indie Nashville music company 30 Tigers, and most recently served as senior vice president of artist and label services at the label. Jake Gear is coming to Lost Highway from sister company UMG Nashville, where he served as vice president of A&R.
“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,” said Knotts. “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 recognizing that the artist’s vision ultimately shapes culture itself. I am honored to carry that approach forward alongside one of my closest friends, Jake Gear.”
“Lost Highway has a rich history,” added 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.”
Share on:
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Interscope to Revive Lost Highway Records – Digital Music News
