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New West Records

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New West Records
Founded1998 (1998)
FounderCameron Strang
Distributor(s)Redeye Distribution (US)
PIAS Group (EU)[1]
GenreIndie rock, alternative country, Americana
Country of originU.S.
LocationNashville, Tennessee
Athens, Georgia
Official websitenewwestrecords.com

New West Records is a record label based in Nashville and Athens, Georgia. It previously had offices in Burbank, California and Beverly Hills, California.[2] From 2013 to 2018, New West's records in the U.S. were distributed by Alternative Distribution Alliance,[3] and since September 2018, Redeye Distribution has taken over U.S. distribution.[4] New West Records exclusively releases CDs and DVDs for the award-winning television program Austin City Limits.[5]

History

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New West Records was founded in 1998 by Cameron Strang with the mission of promoting “real music for real people.”[6] Over the years, the label became a key player in the Americana, indie rock, and alternative country scenes, releasing albums that topped the Billboard Top 200 and earned Grammy recognition.[7]

In 2007 and 2008 New West was recognized by NARM as the entertainment software supplier of the year. [8]

In 2010, New West Records acquired Antone’s Records and Watermelon Records, two labels with a focus on Texas blues, soul, and rock. This acquisition expanded New West's catalog and contributed to its presence in the roots and Americana music scenes.[9]

In 2011, Cameron Strang left New West to take on the role of CEO of Warner Chappell Music, marking a significant transition in the label's leadership.[10]

In 2014, John Allen was named President of New West Records and its various imprints. Under his leadership, the label's operations were consolidated, and the main office was moved to Nashville, further establishing New West's presence in the heart of the Americana and country music scenes.[11]

New West executive George Fontaine Sr received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Americana Music Honors & Awards for his work with the label.[12]

Artists

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New West Records is home to a number of Grammy Award-winning artists including Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle, Rickie Lee Jones, Kris Kristofferson, and Delbert McClinton. The label roster features Sara Watkins, 49 Winchester, Los Lobos, Ben Folds, The Devil Makes Three, JD McPherson, Buddy Miller, Corb Lund, Nikki Lane, Rodney Crowell, John Hiatt, James McMurtry, Caroline Rose, Richard Thompson, Nada Surf, Sunny War, The Wallflowers, Jaime Wyatt, and more.[13] The catalogue includes releases from Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, All Them Witches, Shovels & Rope, Justin Townes Earle, Patty Griffin, Old 97's, Ron Gallo, Vic Chesnutt, Aaron Lee Tasjan, American Aquarium, and Tony Joe White.[14]

Awards

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New West Records has received numerous award nominations and wins, including recognition at the Grammy Awards and Americana Music Awards.[15]

Grammy Awards

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Year Category Nominee(s) Work Result
2024 Best Americana Album Rodney Crowell The Chicago Sessions Nominated [16]
2023 Best Country Solo Performance Willie Nelson "Live Forever" Won [17]
2023 Best Contemporary Blues Album North Mississippi Allstars Set Sail Nominated [18]
2022 Best Americana Album Los Lobos Native Sons Won [19]
2022 Best Americana Album John Hiatt & the Jerry Douglas Band Leftover Feelings Nominated [20]
2021 Best Folk Album The Secret Sisters Saturn Return Nominated [21]
2021 Best Contemporary Blues Album North Mississippi Allstars Up And Rolling Nominated [22]
2021 Best Folk Album The Secret Sisters You Don't Own Me Anymore Nominated [23]
2018 Best American Roots Song Rodney Crowell (featuring Rosanne Cash, John Paul White) "It Ain’t Over Yet" Nominated [24]
2017 Best Traditional Blues Album Luther Dickinson Blues & Ballads Nominated [25]

Americana Music Honors & Awards

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Year Category Nominee(s) Work Result
2023 Duo/Group of the Year 49 Winchester Nominated
2023 Emerging Artist of the Year Sunny War Nominated
2022 Duo/Group of the Year Los Lobos Nominated
2022 Song of the Year James McMurtry "Canola Fields" Nominated
2021 Album of the Year Steve Earle J.T. Nominated
2020 Duo/Group of the Year Buddy & Julie Miller Nominated
2018 Emerging Act of the Year Lilly Hiatt Nominated
2017 Song of the Year Rodney Crowell (featuring Rosanne Cash, John Paul White) "It Ain’t Over Yet" Won
2017 Album of the Year Rodney Crowell Close Ties Nominated
2017 Emerging Artist of the Year Aaron Lee Tasjan Nominated
2016 Instrumentalist of the Year Sara Watkins Won
2015 Song of the Year John Hiatt "Terms of My Surrender" Nominated
2015 Song of the Year Steve Earle & The Dukes "You're The Best Lover That I Ever Had" Nominated
2015 Emerging Artist of the Year Nikki Lane Nominated
2014 Album of the Year Robert Ellis The Lights From The Chemical Plant Nominated
2014 Artist of the Year Robert Ellis Nominated
2014 Duo/Group of the Year The Devil Makes Three Nominated
2014 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller Won
2013 Album of the Year Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale Buddy & Jim Nominated
2013 Duo/Group of the Year Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale Nominated
2013 Artist of the Year Buddy Miller Nominated
2013 Artist of the Year Richard Thompson Nominated
2013 Song of the Year Richard Thompson "Good Things Happen To Bad People" Nominated
2012 Emerging Artist of the Year Robert Ellis Nominated
2012 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller Nominated
2012 Song of the Year Steve Earle "Waiting On The Sky To Fall" Nominated
2012 Album of the Year Steve Earle I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive Nominated
2011 Artist of the Year Buddy Miller Won
2011 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller Won
2010 Song of the Year Ryan Bingham "The Weary Kind" (from Crazy Heart soundtrack) Won
2010 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller Won
2010 Artist of the Year Steve Earle Nominated
2009 Album of the Year Buddy & Julie Miller Written In Chalk Won
2009 Artist of the Year Buddy Miller Won
2009 Duo/Group of the Year Buddy & Julie Miller Won
2009 Song of the Year Buddy & Julie Miller "Chalk" Won
2009 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller Won
2009 Song of the Year The Flatlanders "Homeland Refugee" Nominated
2008 Artist of the Year Steve Earle Nominated
2008 Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting John Hiatt Won
2008 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller Won
2006 Duo/Group of the Year Drive-By Truckers Won
2006 Album of the Year Delbert McClinton Cost of Living Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "[PIAS] Artist & Label Services - [PIAS]". Retrieved 2016-09-12.
  2. ^ "About New West Records". www.newwestrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-13. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  3. ^ "ADA Adds New West, Sumerian Records to Distribution Roster (Exclusive)". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Redeye Signs Distribution Deal with New West Records". 5 September 2018.
  5. ^ "New West Records". Do512. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  6. ^ "Warner Bros Records boss Cameron Strang: 7 lessons from my career - Music Business Worldwide". Music Business Worldwide. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  7. ^ "Warner Music Group Names Cameron Strang CEO of Warner/Chappell Music; Acquires Southside Publishing". Billboard.
  8. ^ "(BW) NARM Recognizes New West Records with an Award for Entertainment Software Supplier Of The Year--Small Division". Chron. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  9. ^ "New West Records". Discogs.
  10. ^ "Warner Music Group Names Cameron Strang CEO of Warner/Chappell Music; Acquires Southside Publishing". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  11. ^ Sarah Skates (November 4, 2014). "New West Opens Nashville Office Led By John Allen". MusicRow. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  12. ^ Grein, Paul (14 September 2023). "Here Are the Performers & Presenters for the 2023 Americana Honors & Awards". billboard.com. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Artists | New West Records". newwestrecords.com. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
  14. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (September 5, 2018). "Redeye Signs Distribution Deal with New West Records". Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  15. ^ "Winners & Honorees". Americana Music Association.
  16. ^ "Rodney Crowell". Grammy Awards.
  17. ^ "Willie Nelson Wins "Best Country Solo Performance" for "Live Forever" At The 65th Annual Grammy Awards". Grateful Web. February 6, 2023.
  18. ^ "North Mississippi Allstars". Grammy Awards.
  19. ^ "Los Lobos". Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
  20. ^ "Leftover Feelings nominated for Grammy!". John Hiatt. December 10, 2021.
  21. ^ "The Secret Sisters". 1504.
  22. ^ "North Mississippi Allstars". Grammy Awards.
  23. ^ "The Secret Sisters". Grammy Awards.
  24. ^ "The Secret Sisters & Rodney Crowell Garner 2018 GRAMMY Award Nominations". The Country Note. November 28, 2017.
  25. ^ "Luther Dickinson". Grammy Awards.
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