Big Machine Records is an American independent record label founded in 2005 by Nashville, Tennessee businessman Scott Borchetta, who had previously worked for MCA Nashville and DreamWorks Records Nashville.
The label's first major hit came in 2006 when they picked up Texas country singer Jack Ingram, who promptly got a #1 country hit with "Wherever You Are". But it was a young teenager from Pennsylvania named Taylor Swift who would send the label to fame. Swift remained signed to Big Machine until 2018, and has remained one of the label's most successful artist. Also successful in the long term is Florida Georgia Line, who records for the BMLG (formerly Republic Nashville) division. Other acts on the label have come and gone over the years, and it has remained one of the stronger independent players in the country music field.
In 2019, Big Machine was acquired by Ithaca Holdings, a holding company owned by talent manager Scooter Braun, whose clients notably include Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and Justin Bieber, among others. Controversy ensued when it turned out Braun had obtained the masters of Taylor Swift's first six albums (which Swift had been trying to buy for years, only to be repeatedly snubbed), and was set to profit off them. Braun later sold the masters to Shamrock Holdings (another holding company owned by the Disney family). Swift also announced that she would re-record her old albums to fully gain ownership of them.
The label also owns the imprints Valory Music Co. and BMLG Records (formerly Republic Nashville). Previous divisions include Nash Icon Records (a partnership with Cumulus Media) and a revival of Dot Records.
In addition to country music artists, the label has also released albums by the rock bands Badflower and Cheap Trick, along with soundtracks for the TV series Nashville.
Artists on Big Machine who have TV Tropes pages:
- The Band Perry (Republic Nashville)
- Garth Brooks
- Cheap Trick
- Sheryl Crow (Valory)
- Florida Georgia Line (BMLG)
- Brantley Gilbert (Valory)
- Jewel (Perfectly Clear was on Valory)
- Lady A (BMLG)
- Maddie & Tae (Dot)
- Tim McGraw
- Rascal Flatts
- Martina McBride (Republic Nashville)
- Reba McEntire
- Justin Moore (Valory)
- Thomas Rhett (Valory)
- Sugarland
- Taylor Swift (departed 2017)
- Hank Williams Jr. (It's About Time was on Nash Icon)
- Trisha Yearwood (Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love)
