After over a decade, Carrie Underwood has left her longtime music home of Sony Music Nashville and signed on with Capitol Records Nashville, part of Universal Music Group Nashville, UMG announced Tuesday morning.
“I’m so thrilled that Carrie has decided to make Capitol Records Nashville and UMG her home globally,” said Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Sir Lucian Grainge. “As a talented writer, recording artist, performer and actor, Carrie is that exceptionally rare artist who can do it all. I know I speak on behalf of our teams around the world when I say that we look forward to executing her creative vision and bringing her musical career to the next level.”
Underwood isn’t a stranger to the team at Universal Music Group Nashville. The label group’s president Cindy Mabe was on the team that launched Underwood’s first album “Some Hearts.”
Underwood joined Sony Music Nashville after winning “American Idol” in 2005. Her early single “Jesus, Take the Wheel” soared to the top of country charts and her singles “Before He Cheats” and “Wasted” quickly made her a Country star and is still 12 years later. Last November, Underwood was named the CMA – Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year at the 50th CMA Awards.
A seven-time Grammy winner, Underwood released her fifth studio album, “Storyteller,” in October of 2015. The album has sold more than 1 million copies, and all four of its singles topped the Country Radio Airplay charts, including “Smoke Break” and “Dirty Laundry,” her 25th No. 1 song. In the fall, the RIAA announced Underwood is the highest certified country album artist to debut this century. In addition to the success of “Storyteller,” Underwood’s previous albums have resonated with millions of fans. “Blown Away” has sold more than 2 million copies, “Play On” has sold more than 3 million copies, “Carnival Ride” has sold more than 4 million copies, and Underwood’s debut, “Some Hearts,” has sold more than 8 million copies.
“It’s so inspiring to me as an artist to feel this excited about the future,” Underwood said in a statement. “The incredible team at UMG shares the heart and passion I have for music as well as the drive, and their innovative spirit has shown that together the possibilities are endless.
“I also want to be sure to thank every single person who has played a part in my recording career so far,” she added. “I will be forever grateful to them for all we achieved together.”
Universal Music Group Nashville consists of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville. The combined rosters include Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Chris Stapleton, Clare Dunn, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Gary Allan, George Strait, Haley Georgia, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, Sugarland, The Band Perry and Vince Gill.
