Kenny Chesney is officially entering a new era. The country music icon has signed as the flagship artist for HEY NOW Records, a newly launched independent label based in Nashville. The venture is led by a powerhouse trio of industry veterans: Chesney’s longtime manager Clint Higham, former Warner Music Nashville Chairman and CEO John Esposito, and Kris Lamb.

The new label aims to provide a highly focused, boutique approach to artist development and marketing. Kris Lamb, who previously held a senior leadership role at Big Machine Label Group, will serve as Co-Founder and President, overseeing the label's daily operations. According to MusicRow, the team plans to utilize their combined decades of experience to create a more nimble and artist-centric environment in the heart of Music City.

Chesney’s move to HEY NOW Records follows a successful tenure at Warner Music Nashville, where he worked closely with Esposito on hit projects like 2024's Born. By joining an independent outfit, Chesney continues to lean into the creative freedom that has defined his stadium-filling career. The label's founders have expressed that the company will prioritize deep, intentional partnerships with their artists to navigate the modern music landscape.