Lauded Songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon and MCA Launch Gatsby Records

Academy of Country Music Awards two-time songwriter of the year Jessie Jo Dillon and MCA have partnered to launch Gatsby Records. The imprint’s first release will be Carter Faith’s Cherry Valley, out Oct. 3.

The Nashville-based label takes its name from the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic The Great Gatsby, from whom Dillon drew inspiration.

“Like Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby, I believe in the ‘green light’ – the unwavering hope of a dream coming true,” said Dillon, who serves as Gatsby’s founder/president. “This imprint is a home for artists who aren’t afraid to be themselves, sound different and transform. If it’s raw, if it’s beautiful and if it even scares you a little, then it belongs at Gatsby Records.”

Dillon had already worked with Faith — a North Carolina native who blends a traditional sound with a contemporary attitude — as a songwriter on her forthcoming project. And, more recently, Dillon helped get Billy Bob Thornton to star in the music video for album’s “Bar Star,” which came out Aug. 20. (Faith signed to MCA last June, when it was still UMG Nashville).

“Carter Faith isn’t just a rising voice in country music – she is a unique storyteller who blends vulnerability with edge,” Dillon continued in a statement. “We share a strong creative synergy and vision, and I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside her to bring the world of Cherry Valley to life. I’m so excited for this new venture and deeply grateful to [MCA chief creative officer] Dave Cobb, [MCA president/CEO] Mike Harris and MCA for collaborating with me to bring my lifelong aspiration of Gatsby Records to fruition.”

Following Faith, Gatsby’s focus will be on emerging talent with no specific number of releases planned.

 “At MCA, we pride ourselves on not just signing artists but truly building long-lasting, meaningful careers. The creation of Gatsby Records is an extension of that vision,” Harris said in a statement. “We’re honored to work with an incredible talent like Jessie Jo Dillon, who is not only one of the premiere songwriters in country music but also a visionary who will push the creative talents of the artists she works with. We’re equally thrilled to have Carter Faith as the first artist to join the imprint – she is truly an immensely talented artist who has an amazing future.”

 “I’m beyond excited for the launch and the future of Gatsby Records,” added Cobb. “Working with Jessie Jo has been an absolute dream, she has the incredible ability to get right down to the heart of a song and really dig deep to protect the artist and their vision.”

Dillon and MCA already have an affiliation: in April, when UMG Nashville relaunched as MCA following Harris and Cobb’s arrival in February, the label named Dillon as a Song Buddy, a lighthearted title, but one that plays into her ability to support and develop Nashville songwriting talent.

The six-time Grammy-nominated Dillon is one of Nashville’s most respected and prolific songwriters, co-penning such tunes as “Lies, Lies, Lies” (Morgan Wallen), “Am I Okay” (Megan Moroney), “10,000 Hours” (Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber), “Halfway to Hell” (Jelly Roll) and “Break Up in the End” (Cole Swindell).