New West Records is a record label based in Nashville and Athens, Georgia. It previously had offices in Burbank, California and Beverly Hills, California. From 2013 to 2018, New West's records in the U.S. were distributed by Alternative Distribution Alliance, and since September 2018, Redeye Distribution has taken over American distribution. New West Records exclusively releases CDs and DVDs for the award-winning television program Austin City Limits.
History New West Records was founded in 1998 by Cameron Strang with the mission of promoting “real music for real people.” Over the years, the label became a key player in the Americana, indie rock, and alternative country scenes, releasing albums that topped the Billboard Top 200 and earned Grammy recognition.
In 2007 and 2008 New West was recognized by NARM as the entertainment software supplier of the year.
In 2010, New West Records acquired Antone’s Records and Watermelon Records, two labels with a focus on Texas blues, soul, and rock. This acquisition expanded New West's catalog and contributed to its presence in the roots and Americana music scenes.
In 2011, Cameron Strang left New West to take on the role of CEO of Warner Chappell Music, marking a significant transition in the label's leadership.
In 2014, John Allen was named President of New West Records and its various imprints. Under his leadership, the label's operations were consolidated, and the main office was moved to Nashville, further establishing New West's presence in the heart of the Americana and country music scenes.
New West executive George Fontaine Sr received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Americana Music Honors & Awards for his work with the label.
Artists New West Records is home to a number of Grammy Award-winning artists including Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle, Rickie Lee Jones, Kris Kristofferson, and Delbert McClinton. The label roster features Sara Watkins, 49 Winchester, Los Lobos, Ben Folds, The Devil Makes Three, JD McPherson, Buddy Miller, Corb Lund, Nikki Lane, Rodney Crowell, John Hiatt, James McMurtry, Caroline Rose, Richard Thompson, Nada Surf, Sunny War, The Wallflowers, Jaime Wyatt, and more. The catalogue includes releases from Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, All Them Witches, Shovels & Rope, Justin Townes Earle, Patty Griffin, Old 97's, Ron Gallo, Vic Chesnutt, Pylon (band), Aaron Lee Tasjan, American Aquarium, and Tony Joe White.
Awards New West Records has received numerous award nominations and wins, including recognition at the Grammy Awards and Americana Music Awards.
Grammy Awards Year Category Nominee(s) Work Result 2024 Best Americana Album Rodney Crowell The Chicago Sessions Nominated 2023 Best Country Solo Performance Willie Nelson "Live Forever" Won 2023 Best Contemporary Blues Album North Mississippi Allstars Set Sail Nominated 2022 Best Americana Album Los Lobos Native Sons Won 2022 Best Americana Album John Hiatt & the Jerry Douglas Band Leftover Feelings Nominated 2021 Best Folk Album The Secret Sisters Saturn Return Nominated 2021 Best Contemporary Blues Album North Mississippi Allstars Up And Rolling Nominated 2021 Best Folk Album The Secret Sisters You Don't Own Me Anymore Nominated 2018 Best American Roots Song Rodney Crowell (featuring Rosanne Cash, John Paul White) "It Ain’t Over Yet" Nominated 2017 Best Traditional Blues Album Luther Dickinson Blues & Ballads Nominated 2015 Best Americana Album John Hiatt Terms of My Surrender Nominated 2015 Best American Roots Song John Hiatt "Terms of My Surrender" Nominated 2014 Best Americana Album Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale Buddy & Jim Nominated 2012 Best Folk Album Steve Earle I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive Nominated 2011 Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Media Various Artists Crazy Heart Won 2011 Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television, or other Visual Media Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett "The Weary Kind" (from Crazy Heart) Won 2010 Best Contemporary Folk Album Steve Earle Townes Won 2008 Best Contemporary Folk Album Steve Earle Washington Square Serenade Won 2008 Best Country Collaboration with Vocals Steve Earle "Days Aren't Long Enough" Nominated 2006 Best Contemporary Blues Album Delbert McClinton Cost of Living Won 2006 Best Male Country Performance Delbert McClinton "Midnight Communion" Nominated 2005 Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album Buddy Miller Universal United House of Prayer Nominated 2003 Best Contemporary Blues Album Delbert McClinton Room to Breathe Nominated 2002 Best Contemporary Blues Album Delbert McClinton Nothing Personal Won
Americana Music Honors & Awards Year Category Nominee(s) Work Result 2023 Duo/Group of the Year 49 Winchester — Nominated 2023 Emerging Artist of the Year Sunny War — Nominated 2022 Duo/Group of the Year Los Lobos — Nominated 2022 Song of the Year James McMurtry "Canola Fields" Nominated 2021 Album of the Year Steve Earle J.T. Nominated 2020 Duo/Group of the Year Buddy & Julie Miller — Nominated 2018 Emerging Act of the Year Lilly Hiatt — Nominated 2017 Song of the Year Rodney Crowell (featuring Rosanne Cash, John Paul White) "It Ain’t Over Yet" Won 2017 Album of the Year Rodney Crowell Close Ties Nominated 2017 Emerging Artist of the Year Aaron Lee Tasjan — Nominated 2016 Instrumentalist of the Year Sara Watkins — Won 2015 Song of the Year John Hiatt "Terms of My Surrender" Nominated 2015 Song of the Year Steve Earle & The Dukes "You're The Best Lover That I Ever Had" Nominated 2015 Emerging Artist of the Year Nikki Lane — Nominated 2014 Album of the Year Robert Ellis The Lights From The Chemical Plant Nominated 2014 Artist of the Year Robert Ellis — Nominated 2014 Duo/Group of the Year The Devil Makes Three — Nominated 2014 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller — Won 2013 Album of the Year Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale Buddy & Jim Nominated 2013 Duo/Group of the Year Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale — Nominated 2013 Artist of the Year Buddy Miller — Nominated 2013 Artist of the Year Richard Thompson — Nominated 2013 Song of the Year Richard Thompson "Good Things Happen To Bad People" Nominated 2012 Emerging Artist of the Year Robert Ellis — Nominated 2012 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller — Nominated 2012 Song of the Year Steve Earle "Waiting On The Sky To Fall" Nominated 2012 Album of the Year Steve Earle I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive Nominated 2011 Artist of the Year Buddy Miller — Won 2011 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller — Won 2010 Song of the Year Ryan Bingham "The Weary Kind" (from Crazy Heart soundtrack) Won 2010 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller — Won 2010 Artist of the Year Steve Earle — Nominated 2009 Album of the Year Buddy & Julie Miller Written In Chalk Won 2009 Artist of the Year Buddy Miller — Won 2009 Duo/Group of the Year Buddy & Julie Miller — Won 2009 Song of the Year Buddy & Julie Miller "Chalk" Won 2009 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller — Won 2009 Song of the Year The Flatlanders "Homeland Refugee" Nominated 2008 Artist of the Year Steve Earle — Nominated 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting John Hiatt — Won 2008 Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller — Won 2006 Duo/Group of the Year Drive-By Truckers — Won 2006 Album of the Year Delbert McClinton Cost of Living Nominated
See also List of New West Records artists
References
External links
Official site