Warner Music Nashville and Sweety High proudly announced today the signing of singer-songwriter Tegan Marie to Warner Music Group's renowned Nashville division. At just 13-years-old, she is the youngest Country artist signed to the label and the youngest female in 45 years - since Tanya Tucker signed with CBS Records (Sony) in 1972 - to ink a major label Country record deal. From Flint, MI, Marie was first discovered by leading Gen Z girls' media platform Sweety High and has since catapulted into the national spotlight with several high-profile media performances and appearances including ABC's Good Morning America, PBS' star-studded special Smokey Robinson: The Gershwin Prize and the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards. Additionally, the rising star will celebrate another momentous occasion when she makes her debut at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry tonight (8/18).
"This new generation is passionate about Country music. Tegan Marie, with the kind of natural talent already resonating with audiences, represents a new breed of digitally-savvy artists that we want to be a part of," said John Esposito, Chairman and CEO, Warner Music Nashville. "What attracted us to
Tegan Marie was her voice and a confidence that was beyond her years. Her success on Sweety High and in social media exemplifies not only how Country talent can be nurtured on these platforms but also how we will reach the next generation of music consumers."
The young vocalist's early foray into music began with her father uploading her cover videos of songs by stars such as
Carrie Underwood onto the Sweety High platform when she was just 7 years old. The company, focused on the youth market, recognized Marie's potential to become a voice for her generation and started working to foster her talents.
"The moment I saw Tegan Marie's early videos I knew she had the ability to speak to young girls at an important time in their lives," said
Veronica Zelle, Sweety High Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer. "Working closely with her these past years, and witnessing her growth, I'm thrilled that a forward-thinking label like Warner Music Nashville has welcomed her to their roster." Her co-founding partner, Sweety High CEO, Frank Simonetti, added: "In this deal with Warner Music Nashville both
Tegan Marie and Sweety High have gained a great partner that believes, like us, in doing whatever it takes for their artists."
Marie's major milestones include the release of the song "Lucky Me," to benefit the children affected by the water crisis in her hometown of Flint, and her breathtaking rendition of Florida
Georgia Line's #1 hit song, "H.O.L.Y.," which racked up over 17 million views on Facebook alone. She has amassed over 75 million video views and receives over five million engagements online each month. Marie has also had a string of impressive performances, sharing the stage with singers Cam and Smokey Robinson, and duetting with Kelsea Ballerini. This past spring, the young vocalist appeared at CMA Music Fest and California's popular Country music festival
Stagecoach to great acclaim. Critics praised her performance with USA Today hailing, "Marie has the personality and the voice of a future star, and she definitely has the always hard-to-define 'It.'"
The rising star also just wrapped up a six-city tour with Pepsi MidAmerica and is currently writing with hitmaker
Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift) for her first album.
