Tim McGraw Returns to Big Machine Records: Exclusive

Following his departure from Sony Music Nashville earlier this year, Tim McGraw is returning to Big Machine Records, where he had a tremendously successful run during the 2010s.

"I am so proud to welcome Tim McGraw back home to Big Machine Records," Scott Borchetta, CEO/president and founder of Big Machine Label Group told Billboard. "We can't wait to jump back into the mix with Tim and his great team and get his incredible new music out to the world."

McGraw’s first release on Big Machine will be Here on Earth, a previously announced album that shares its name with McGraw's headlining arena/amphitheater tour that kicks off July 10. Every online ticket comes with the ability to redeem one CD of Here on Earth. The album’s release date is pending, but Borchetta hints that a new single is "coming sooner than later."   

It is unclear if the set will include the two tracks McGraw released through Sony's Columbia Nashville imprint: "Neon Church," which peaked at No. 20 on Country Airplay and "Thought About You," which climbed to No. 17 last year. The Here on Earth Tour includes two stadium dates with Luke Combs: Sept. 4 in Los Angeles and Sept. 12 in Philadelphia.  

McGraw's first go-round with Big Machine was a prolific one. He released three albums: 2013’s Two Lanes of Freedom and 2014’s Sundown Heaven Town, both of which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and 2015’s Damn Country Music, which peaked at No. 3. Top 10 Country Airplay hits from the collections included “Highway Don’t Care” (with Taylor Swift), "Southern Girl," "Meanwhile Back at Mama’s" (featuring Faith Hill), "Shotgun Rider," and "Humble and Kind," which was named song of the year at the 2016 CMA Awards.

McGraw and wife Hill inked a highly touted deal with SMN’s parent Sony Music Entertainment three years ago in February 2017. Hill remains with Sony Music Entertainment. The deal yielded a McGraw/Hill duets album, The Rest of Our Life, on Sony’s Arista Nashville label, which debuted atop Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in October 2017 and spawned "Speak to a Girl," a top 20 hit for the duo on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Recently, McGraw has expanded his portfolio to include best-selling author: He co-authored the New York Times best-seller Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music That Made a Nation with famed historian Jon Meacham, as well as the top-selling health and fitness book Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life.

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