Photo Credit: Kit Wood
NASHVILLE, TN (March 23, 2021) – Big Machine Label Group and Jaren Johnston announced today a unique partnership where the Grammy®-nominated songwriter and producer will collaborate on developing artists as well as work with the label’s current roster. The synergy gives BMLG first look at artists Jaren is developing as well as lending his expertise on in-house projects for both A&R and production.
“Jaren is a favorite artist, writer, producer and person. When he rang me up about doing this together it was an immediate ‘yes’. He has free rein to go absolutely crazy and I can’t wait to see what he finds,” says BMLG Founder/CEO Scott Borchetta.
The multi-versed Nashville native was born into the music scene – Jaren’s dad played in the Grand Ole Opry house band – and has since earned multiple awards nominations, written No. 1 songs for Country legends and has expanded his talents beyond the studio as lead vocalist/guitarist for ACM Awards Group of the Year nominees The Cadillac Three. Jaren was nominated for Grammy Awards Best Country Song with “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s” (Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill) as well as ACM Awards Song of the Year for “Raise ‘Em Up” (Keith Urban ft. Eric Church), a track that added to his CMA Triple Play accolade for three chart-toppers in a 12-month period. The accomplishment also celebrated “Beachin’” (Jake Owen) and “Sunshine & Whiskey” (Frankie Ballard). More recently Jaren collaborated on Keith Urban’s “Tumbleweed” (writer/producer) and “Ain’t It Like A Woman” (writer/ producer); Tim McGraw’s “Good Taste In Women” (writer); Florida Georgia Line’s “Life Looks Good” (writer) and has writing/production credits on Dierks Bentley’s Grammy-nominated RISER album. Explore more of Jaren’s diverse catalogue here or listen to any of TC3’s albums. He also served as producer for Steven Tyler, Darius Rucker, Sam Williams and Drake White, among others.
“I’ve been part of the Big Machine family for six years. Scott has always been a champion of me and my band, The Cadillac Three. This partnership made total sense as yet another creative outlet for me, and I’m excited to be working with him and his team on this new project. I’m stoked to discover, develop and produce some bad ass new talent,” shares Jaren.
Jaren spent his formative years playing music alongside Neil Mason (drums) and Kelby Ray (lap steel/bass) in their parents’ garages before graduating to sold-out venues in the UK/Europe and being added to major festival lineups. As a heavy touring band, who averages over 200 live shows a year, TC3 has written and recorded on the bus much of their career. Their fanbase worldwide lead to winning the UK Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards – Best New Band, plus Planet Rock and CMA International Awards nominations. They have continued to focus on a connection with others, albeit from a more remote stage with the challenges of the pandemic. TC3 has hosted COUNTRY FUZZ PRESENTS livestreams from Nashville haunt The Basement for their own performances and as a landing place for other artists; supported NAACP and their own crew with special merch, plus teamed up with Second Harvest to help feed Middle Tennessee. Resolute in their creativity, TC3 also managed to release two albums via Big Machine Records in 2020 – COUNTRY FUZZ in February ahead of October’s TABASCO & SWEET TEA. Last week, the trio partnered with NIVA’s #SAVEOURSTAGES to launch a video for “Long After Last Call” and then took to socials to highlight some of the actual people and venues faced with the livelihood challenges of COVID-19. Watch here. TC3’s freewheeling vibe finds fans from all sides of the world relishing in their unpredictable sets — the doors may be closed, but the music must play on.
