Thomas Rhett shared the DJ Booth with one of Tangled Up’s producers Jesse Frasure. Photo: Katie Kauss
Downtown Nashville was the place to party last night (Sept. 21) as the music industry celebrated the upcoming release of The Valory Music Co. artist Thomas Rhett’s sophomore album, Tangled Up. The project comes out Friday, Sept. 25.
More than 200 label staff, publishers, songwriters, producers, and more celebrated at swanky private club Citizen. Tangled Up co-producer Jesse Frasure spun tracks from the album, such as “Vacation,” “Learned From The Radio,” and current single “Die A Happy Man,” alongside tracks from The Weeknd, Blackstreet, Chris Stapleton, and more. Among the revelers were BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Rhett’s wife Lauren Akins, and Rhett’s BMLG labelmates Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery.
“It’s so exciting to have a moment like this to share it with all of you, when you literally can see an artist going to the next level,” BMLG founder/CEO Scott Borchetta shared with guests. “That’s what’s happening right here, right now, in real time. Thomas Rhett is getting ready…you watch what’s going to happen in the next 18 months, because then we’re going to be talking about the headlining tour. But we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves.”
Pictured (L-R): The Valory Music Co. SVP Promoition George Briner, Big Machine Label Group SVP A&R Allison Jones, Thomas Rhett and Big Machine Label Group’s President/CEO Scott Borchetta. Photo: Katie Kauss
Partygoers sipped on cocktails inspired by the album’s tracks, including Tangled Up, and Crash & Burn, each made with Crown Royal.
“We wanted to swing for the fences,” Rhett said of the record’s new sound. “As we’ve gone, my jeans have gotten tighter and my jeans have gotten skinnier,” he quipped. “My dad’s sittin’ here going, ‘Gosh I remember when you were in cowboy boots singing to Brooks & Dunn in the living room.’
“Thank you to those who have embraced this new sound and this new direction,” Rhett continued. “I think the best part is this album is fully 100 percent Thomas Rhett. There is nothing fake about this record. I have to give thanks to Scott and [BMLG’s] Allison [Jones] for saying, ‘We don’t want you to just turn in hits. We want you to turn in songs that move you, songs you believe in.’ We’re getting into that time where we might piss some people off with the songs we’re putting out, but hopefully the majority love us. Thank you to all my friends, the songwriters, Jesse [Frasure] and Dann [Huff] for going all out on this record, it’s pretty crazy. Cheers to you and thank you for being here and being part of this album release party.”
Pictured (L-R): Wife Lauren Akins and Thomas Rhett. Photo: Katie Kauss.
Borchetta and Rhett launched the party with Rhett’s soul-infused current single, “Die A Happy Man.”
“My wife asked me the other day if the song was written for her or just inspired by her, and the answer is both,” Rhett said of the single. “She’s always wanted me to write a song like ‘Just To See You Smile’ by Tim McGraw, even though this song doesn’t sound anything like that. It’s super personal to our relationship.”
Tangled Up releases Friday, Sept. 25.
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
