Atlantic Music Group Launches Country-Leaning Imprint

Atlantic Music Group has launched Atlantic Outpost, a singer/songwriter-oriented label rooted in country and Americana music, Billboard has learned.

The imprint, which will be based in Los Angeles and Nashville, will be co-run by Jeff Levin and Ian Cripps. Levin retains his role as co-head of pop and rock A&R for Atlantic (with Brandon Davis), while Cripps continues as executive vp of A&R at Atlantic.

News on Atlantic Outpost signings and Nashville hires is forthcoming.

Levin and Cripps have already been operating in the country space, including helping coordinate Bailey Zimmerman’s feature on BigXthaPlug’s “All the Way,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in April. (Zimmerman, who has a new album coming Aug. 8, is signed jointly to Warner Music Nashville and Atlantic). Burgeoning Atlantic country artist Sam Barber’s 2024 debut album, Restless Mind, has been certified gold by the RIAA, and Cripps received a Grammy nomination as soundtrack compilation producer for Atlantic’s soundtrack for Twisters. The country set which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, featured 29 original tracks from such acts as Luke Combs, Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Tyler Childers and Charlie Crockett and was the first country soundtrack to debut in the top 10 on the all-genre chart since 2011.

Additionally, Atlantic has a robust roster of country-leaning and Americana acts, that, in addition to Zimmerman and Barber, includes Willow Avalon and Cameron Whitcomb.

The move comes as Los Angeles and New York-based labels continue to invest time and manpower in Nashville and the booming country space. In May, Los Angeles-based Capitol Music Group launched Capitol Records Nashville under former Big Loud executive Candice Watkins. In April, Los Angeles-based Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA) Records relaunched the iconic Lost Highway imprint in Nashville under former Thirty Tigers executive Robert Knotts and former Universal Music Group Nashville executive Jake Gear. 

Additionally, New York-based Mercury/Republic has linked with Nashville-based Big Loud for distribution as well as a partnership for country superstar Morgan Wallen, while BBR/BMG and Republic paired to jointly release Jelly Roll’s last album. Additionally, last fall Warner Music Nashville (WMN) was moved under the Warner Records umbrella, with WMN co-chairs/co-presidents Cris Lacy and Greg Nadel reporting to Los Angeles-based CEO/co-chairman Aaron Bay-Schuck and COO/co-chairman Tom Corson. Warner Records is home to country-rock acts Zach Bryan and Warren Zeiders.

Atlantic Music Group representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.