New Record Deals For Kenny Rogers, Aaron Lewis

Kenny Rogers announced this week he has returned to the record label where he got his start, Warner Bros., as first tipped in One Country last month. Rogers first signed with the label in 1967 as part of the band First Edition, and recorded there for several decades before moving on to other labels, most recently Capitol Records. Rogers’ new album for Warner Bros. is being produced by Dann Huff, and is scheduled for release later this year.

“I’m looking forward to returning home to Warner Bros. Records after all these years,” commented Rogers on his new deal. “Our history together, combined with the incredible team that’s in place now, provides the catalyst for a great new relationship going forward.”

Rogers celebrated his 50th year in show business in 2008. In that time, he’s sold more than 120 million records worldwide and recorded more than 65 albums.

In other signing news, Staind frontman Aaron Lewis, who recently launched a country career, has inked a deal with Blaster Entertainment, home to Neal McCoy and Hank Williams, Jr. Lewis launched his country career on Nashville-based R&J Records and his debut country EP, “Town Line,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart last year. His first country single, “Country Boy” has been certified gold. His full-length album is set for release this summer, as previously reported in March.

“Country music was the first music I ever listened to,” Lewis says in a press release. “I sat on my grandfather’s lap listening to his country records and I grew to love them. The country audience has been so accepting of my music and I’m excited about working with the Blaster team to put out the new record this summer.”