A new independent music label is entering the Nashville music market, founded by three music industry veterans with backgrounds in country music.
Clint Higham, John Esposito, and Kris Lamb launched HEY NOW Records on Tuesday (March 17), with Kenny Chesney as its first signed artist. The label will operate as a boutique operation with a staff covering promotion, streaming, marketing, and A&R.
Lamb, who serves as co-founder and president, will oversee day-to-day operations. His background includes executive roles at Big Machine Label Group and The Walt Disney Company’s Lyric Street Records, where he earned credits on more than 80 No. 1 hits and contributed to recordings that earned Grammy, Country Music Association, American Music, and Academy of Country Music Awards.
Lamb said: “Having the chance to create something from the ground up means the options are wide open.”
“In a world where structure blocks creativity, HEY NOW is a place where whatever we can conceive, we can realize. This is more than a dream; this is a gateway to creating an entirely new form and reality of Artist Development.”
Higham, who runs Morris Higham Management and has been recognized by the Country Music Association as Manager of the Year, said: “We have always believed in finding the best people for what an artist needs.”
“In a world where structure blocks creativity, HEY NOW is a place where whatever we can conceive, we can realize. This is more than a dream; this is a gateway to creating an entirely new form and reality of Artist Development.”
Kris Lamb, HEY NOW Records
“That philosophy has seen us super-serve our clients to create more meaningful opportunities and connections. In today’s flooded marketplace, Espo, Kris Lamb and I looked at this moment and saw an opportunity to super-serve a handful of talented developing and established artists by using that same perspective.”
“By being laser-focused on the music, artists and right next moves, we can accelerate the artist development process through targeted and specific execution.”
Esposito, who spent 15 years as chairman and CEO of Warner Music Nashville until April 2023, said: “HEY NOW Records was born out of conversations Clint, Kenny and I had about the increasing lack of focus that artists are getting as rosters increase while staffs shrink.”
“When Kris joined our conversations, I knew we would be lucky to have him at the helm of our operation. I’m thrilled to be in the role of co-founder, advisor, mentor and cheerleader for Kris as he leads the HEY NOW Records operation!”
HEY NOW’s flagship artist, East Tennessee singer-songwriter Kenny Chesney, holds the record for the most Billboard Country Airplay No. 1s with 33 chart-topping songs and is the only country artist ranked in Pollstar‘s Top 10 Touring Acts of the Millennium.
“HEY NOW Records was born out of conversations Clint, Kenny and I had about the increasing lack of focus that artists are getting as rosters increase while staffs shrink.”
John Esposito, HEY NOW RECORDS
Chesney was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2025 and earlier this year became the first solo artist and first country performer to headline a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. His memoir, Heart Life Music, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction and Combined Ebook and Hardcover Nonfiction lists, where it spent seven straight weeks.
The artist has over 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
On his signing with HEY NOW, Chesney said: “When Clint, Espo and Kris came to me with the idea of creating our own team, I was curious.”
“A label like this can be all-in, let’s-make-stuff-happen – and I have always been about making things happen. Creating and exploring what’s possible inspires me, and this is a moment where we can realize ideas in a matter of hours.”
Esposito added: “In a world of more, more, more, as well as corporate over-reach and rush, Kris will deliver hyper-focused, deep strategy for a select few.”
“A label like this can be all-in, let’s-make-stuff-happen – and I have always been about making things happen. Creating and exploring what’s possible inspires me, and this is a moment where we can realize ideas in a matter of hours.”
Kenny Chesney
“Whether a genre re-defining artist like Kenny or the superstars of tomorrow, this is about breaking the mold and chasing great songs and artists. Having Kris as our president means a competitive and cutting-edge approach that delivers.”
The label’s name comes from a boat Chesney kept in the Caribbean, which was also referenced in his song Happy On The Hey Now.
Higham is the longtime manager of Chesney. In January 2022, it was confirmed that Hipgnosis Song Management acquired 80% of Chesney’s recorded music royalties, covering his discography from his 1994 debut In My Wildest Dreams through 2017’s Live in No Shoes Nation.
As MBW reported, the acquisition also covers any future Greatest Hits, live and/or acoustic album releases Chesney may issue.
Music Business Worldwide
A new independent music label, HEY NOW Records, has officially launched in the Nashville music market, founded by three seasoned industry veterans: Clint Higham, John Esposito, and Kris Lamb. The label was unveiled on March 17, with country music superstar Kenny Chesney as its inaugural signed artist. The establishment of HEY NOW Records marks a boutique operation, focusing on promotion, streaming, marketing, and artist and repertoire (A&R), with Lamb serving as co-founder and president who will oversee daily operations.
Kris Lamb brings a wealth of experience to the label, having held executive positions at Big Machine Label Group and The Walt Disney Company’s Lyric Street Records. His career highlights include contributions to over 80 No. 1 hits and involvement in projects that have garnered multiple prestigious awards, including Grammys and Country Music Association accolades. Lamb expressed enthusiasm about the potential for creativity within HEY NOW Records, stating, “Having the chance to create something from the ground up means the options are wide open.” He emphasized that the label aims to foster an environment where creativity is not hindered by structural limitations, allowing for innovative artist development.
Clint Higham, who operates Morris Higham Management, is recognized as Manager of the Year by the Country Music Association. He highlighted the label’s commitment to identifying and nurturing talent, stating, “We have always believed in finding the best people for what an artist needs.” Higham noted that the industry is saturated, and HEY NOW Records aims to provide meaningful opportunities for both emerging and established artists through a targeted approach.
John Esposito, who previously served as chairman and CEO of Warner Music Nashville for 15 years, shared that HEY NOW Records was inspired by conversations about the challenges artists face in a rapidly changing industry. He pointed out the increasing difficulty for artists to receive focused attention as management rosters grow and staff sizes diminish. Esposito expressed excitement about Lamb leading the operation, referring to him as a valuable asset to the team.
Kenny Chesney, the flagship artist of HEY NOW Records, boasts an impressive record with 33 Billboard Country Airplay No. 1s and is recognized as a top touring act. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2025 and recently made history as the first country artist to headline a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Chesney’s memoir, « Heart Life Music, » achieved bestseller status, further solidifying his prominence in the industry. With over 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Chesney’s influence is notable, making him a strategic choice for the label’s launch.
Reflecting on his partnership with HEY NOW Records, Chesney stated, “When Clint, Espo, and Kris came to me with the idea of creating our own team, I was curious.” He expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of an agile, dedicated label that can quickly bring ideas to fruition, highlighting the label’s potential for fostering creativity and innovation.
Esposito added that HEY NOW Records stands out in an era of overwhelming corporate influence in the music industry, emphasizing a need for a more focused, strategic approach to artist development under Lamb’s leadership. The label seeks to break the mold by supporting genre-defying artists like Chesney while also nurturing the stars of tomorrow.
The name « HEY NOW » is derived from a boat Chesney owned in the Caribbean, which is also referenced in one of his songs, « Happy On The Hey Now. » Higham, who has long managed Chesney, noted that the label represents a new chapter in their partnership and an opportunity to create a unique space in the music landscape.
In January 2022, it was reported that Hipgnosis Song Management acquired 80% of Chesney’s recorded music royalties, covering his extensive discography from his 1994 debut album through 2017’s « Live in No Shoes Nation. » This acquisition also includes any future releases, such as greatest hits or live albums.
Overall, HEY NOW Records aims to offer a fresh perspective in the Nashville music scene, prioritizing creativity and individualized attention for artists. With the combination of established expertise, a focus on innovative strategies, and a commitment to artist development, the founders of HEY NOW Records are poised to make a significant impact in the evolving landscape of the music industry. The label’s mission is not just to produce music but to redefine the artist experience, fostering an environment where creativity flourishes and great music can thrive.
