Sony Music on Thursday announced plans to revive Monument Records with top artist manager Jason Owen and hit-making songwriter and producer Shane McAnally serving as co-presidents.
According to
The Tennessean, the label announced the signing of Nashville singer-songwriter Caitlin Smith and Walker Hayes as is its initial artists. Monument will be an imprint of Sony Music Entertainment and not a branch of Sony Music Nashville.
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| Shane McAnally |
“It’s always an amazing opportunity to work with two people who are as talented and nice as Jason and Shane," Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris said. "We’re proud to be their partners under the iconic Monument name. Jason is a highly respected label and management executive who has played an important role in the careers of some of Nashville’s biggest stars and most exciting newcomers, and Shane is an incredibly accomplished songwriter and fantastic talent developer. We think they’re a great team and a terrific addition to the Sony Music family.”
McAnally rose through the local music industry ranks as a songwriter and producer, helping craft the music of artists such as Kacey Musgraves and Sam Hunt. But he's also shown an eye and ear for talent, developing Sony country band Old Dominion and launching his own publishing, production and artist development firm Smack Songs.
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| Jason Owen |
“Co-heading a label with Jason Owen was the easiest decision I’ve ever made,” McAnally said. “The opportunity to work side-by-side with artists and their respective teams, to see a project from start to finish has been a dream of mine for a long time. I am always drawn to projects and artists who are met with the question of, ‘Where does this fit?’ I believe that an artist who doesn’t seem to fit anywhere, actually fits everywhere. Monument will be the place for projects of credibility that need creative and unorthodox ways of getting heard. Walker Hayes and Caitlyn Smith are both impossible to compare to anyone else; they are true originals and originality is what we intend to build Monument on.”
Owen is president and CEO of Sandbox Entertainment, and manager for top country artists Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Dan + Shay and Musgraves. He was a finalist to land the job of chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville - a post that ultimately went to Randy Goodman two years ago.
Smith has already earned a reputation as a top young songwriter in Music City. She's penned songs for artists like Meghan Trainor and John Legend, but also country legends Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. Hayes, who signed to Smack Songs for which he released an EP in 2016, is currently working with McAnally on a new studio album.
Rounding out Monument Records’ executive staff is Katie McCartney, who will serve as SVP Marketing & Label Operations.
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