UNDERWOOD MOVES TO CAPITOL NASHVILLE

Carrie Underwood is moving. Her new label home will be Universal Music Group’s Capitol Records Nashville where Sir Lucian Grainge and Mike Dungan have signed her to a worldwide deal.

Underwood has called 19/Sony Music Nashville home since winning American Idol in 2005. The move reunites her with UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe who was part of the team that launched Underwood's first album, Some Hearts.

“I’m so thrilled that Carrie has decided to make Capitol Records Nashville and UMG her home globally,” said Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group. “As a talented writer, recording artist, performer and actor, Carrie is that exceptionally rare artist who can do it all. I know I speak on behalf of our teams around the world when I say that we look forward to executing her creative vision and bringing her musical career to the next level.”

The stats on Underwood, who has released five albums, are staggering: She’s won seven Grammy Awards; sold 64m records worldwide; hit #1 with 25 singles; and her songs have been streamed more than 2.6b times worldwide.

Said Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman and CEO, “Already a top tier force in country music, Carrie’s vast talents and creative bravery show that she is an artist who is prepared to take on a wide range of artistic challenges. We are excited for the future, and honored by her decision to make Universal Music Group her label partner in representing this worldwide superstar in the next phase of her career.”

Mabe, who took her job at Capitol in 2007, noted one of the toughest parts of the decision was leaving Underwood. “We were a team and I had the opportunity to watch her leave American Idol as a kid and mature into one of the most important artists with the most powerful voice in music. It was amazing to be a small part of that ride.”

Underwood stated, “It’s so inspiring to me as an artist to feel this excited about the future. The incredible team at UMG shares the heart and passion I have for music as well as the drive, and their innovative spirit has shown that together the possibilities are endless.

“I also want to be sure to thank every single person who has played a part in my recording career so far. I will be forever grateful to them for all we achieved together.”