Following Success On The Media Platform For Gen Z Females, 13-Year-Old Singer-Songwriter Becomes The Youngest Country Artist Signed To Warner Music Nashville
Pictured (L-R): Peter Strickland (CMO, WMN), Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R, WMN), Tegan Marie, John Esposito (Chairman and CEO, WMN), Veronica Zelle (Co-Founder and CCO, Sweety High), Frank Simonetti (Co-Founder and CEO, Sweety High)
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Photo Credit: Sweety High
NASHVILLE, TN and LOS ANGELES, CA (August 18, 2017) – Warner Music Nashville and Sweety High proudly announced today the signing of singer-songwriter TEGAN MARIE to Warner Music Group’s renowned Nashville division. At just 13 years old, she is the youngest Country artist signed to the label and the youngest female in 45 years – since Tanya Tucker signed with CBS Records (Sony) in 1972 – to ink a major label Country record deal. From Flint, MI, Marie was first discovered by leading Gen Z girls’ media platform Sweety High and has since catapulted into the national spotlight with several high-profile media performances and appearances including ABC’s Good Morning America, PBS’ star-studded special Smokey Robinson: The Gershwin Prize and the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards. She will celebrate the milestone moment with making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry tonight (8/18).
“This new generation is passionate about Country music. Tegan Marie, with the kind of natural talent already resonating with audiences, represents a new breed of digitally-savvy artists that we want to be a part of,” said John Esposito, Chairman and CEO, Warner Music Nashville. “What attracted us to Tegan Marie was her voice and a confidence that was beyond her years. Her success on Sweety High and in social media exemplifies not only how Country talent can be nurtured on these platforms but also how we will reach the next generation of music consumers.”
The young vocalist’s early foray into music began with her father uploading her cover videos of songs by stars such as Carrie Underwood onto the Sweety High platform when she was just 7 years old. The company, focused on the youth market, recognized Marie’s potential to become a voice for her generation and started working to foster her talents.
“The moment I saw Tegan Marie’s early videos I knew she had the ability to speak to young girls at an important time in their lives,” said Veronica Zelle, Sweety High Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer. “Working closely with her these past years, and witnessing her growth, I’m thrilled that a forward-thinking label like Warner Music Nashville has welcomed her to their roster.” Her co-founding partner, Sweety High CEO, Frank Simonetti, added: “In this deal with Warner Music Nashville both Tegan Marie and Sweety High have gained a great partner that believes, like us, in doing whatever it takes for their artists.”
Marie’s major milestones include the release of the song “Lucky Me,” to benefit the children affected by the water crisis in her hometown of Flint, and her breathtaking rendition of Florida Georgia Line’s #1 hit song, “H.O.L.Y.,” which racked up over 17 million views on Facebook alone. She has amassed over 75 million video views and receives over five million engagements online each month. Marie has also had a string of impressive performances, sharing the stage with singers Cam and Smokey Robinson, and duetting with Kelsea Ballerini. This past spring, the young vocalist appeared at CMA Music Festival and California’s popular Country music festival Stagecoach to great acclaim. Critics praised her performance with USA Today hailing, “Marie has the personality and the voice of a future star, and she definitely has the always hard-to-define ‘It.’”
The rising star also just wrapped up a six-city tour with Pepsi MidAmerica and is currently writing with hitmaker Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift) for her first album.
For more information on Marie, visit teganmarie.com.
Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Warner Music Nashville
Warner Music Nashville was created in 2009 with the goal of expanding the presence of WMG and its family of labels has had in the Nashville music community for more than 60 years. Under the leadership of Chairman & CEO John Esposito, the division is home to Warner Bros. Nashville, Atlantic Nashville, Elektra Nashville and the LoudMouth comedy label.
About Sweety High
www.sweetyhigh.com
Sweety High is an empowered destination for Gen Z females. As a vertically integrated media company consisting of a website, content studio, SH Music and SH Insights, they employ data, premium content, talent and audiences to create and distribute the cultural conversation. Focused on both entertainment and lifestyle, they’ve enjoyed partnerships with Disney, NBCU, America’s Got Talent, Macy’s, Sony and Live Nation among many others.
