Lost Highway Records: Reviving a Legacy with Kacey Musgraves and a Vision for the Future
Lost Highway Records is making its mark in Nashville's Wedgewood-Houston district with a new office space that is still in transition but buzzing with activity. The team is gearing up for the release of Kacey Musgraves' upcoming album, *Middle of Nowhere*, set to launch on May 1. Musgraves, the first artist signed to the reactivated label, plays a crucial role in shaping Lost Highway's renewed mission and direction.
Co-heads and executive vice presidents of Lost Highway, Robert Knotts, and Jake Gear, highlight Musgraves' significance as a guiding force for the label's artistic integrity. Her return to Lost Highway marks a full-circle moment, as she was the final signing before the original label's closure in 2012. The imprint, known for supporting artists who defy mainstream country norms, has a rich legacy that includes collaborations with renowned musicians like Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello.
John Janick, chairman and CEO of Interscope Capitol and IGA, underscores the importance of Lost Highway to Musgraves and the label's commitment to nurturing creative freedom. The reestablishment of Lost Highway aligns with Interscope's ethos of supporting artists who carve their own paths, providing a strategic Nashville presence within the larger label operation.
Jake Gear and Robert Knotts bring a wealth of experience to Lost Highway, with backgrounds in A&R and artist and label services, respectively. Their close friendship and complementary skills make them a strong leadership duo for the revived label. Visiting Luke Lewis, the founder of Lost Highway, in Charleston, South Carolina, was a pivotal step for Gear and Knotts to understand the label's origins and gain insight into its future direction.
For Gear, Lost Highway has always held a special place, serving as a gateway to alternative country music and representing a unique brand. Leading Lost Highway now, Gear embraces the responsibility of carrying forward the label's legacy and shaping the future of artist-driven country and Americana music. With Musgraves at the helm, Lost Highway Records is poised to continue championing innovative artists in this new chapter.