Owen & McAnally: Monument Men

Sony Music announced the re-launch of Monument Records, under the command of co-Presidents Jason Owen and Shane McAnally. Critically acclaimed newcomers Caitlyn Smith and Walker Hayes are Monument’s leading artists. Doug Morris, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment said, “It’s always an amazing opportunity to work with two people who are as talented and nice as Jason and Shane. We’re proud to be their partners under the iconic Monument name. Jason is a highly respected label and management executive who has played an important role in the careers of some of Nashville’s biggest stars and most exciting newcomers, and Shane is an incredibly accomplished songwriter and fantastic talent developer. We think they’re a great team and a terrific addition to the Sony Music family.”

Owen said, “This partnership with Shane and Sony is the perfect opportunity to purposefully sign and market excellent music from unique, one-of-a-kind artists, regardless of genre boundaries. It is something that we believe is needed. Instead of focusing solely on how we think an artist might fit into our business model, we are championing their individuality and ability to create incredible music and then forging a path for each artist using Monument as the vehicle for their music to reach the masses.”

McAnally commented, “Co-heading a label with Jason Owen was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. The opportunity to work side-by-side with artists and their respective teams, to see a project from start to finish has been a dream of mine for a long time. I’m always drawn to projects and artists who are met with the question of, ‘Where does this fit?’ I believe that an artist who doesn’t seem to fit anywhere, actually fits everywhere. Monument will be the place for projects of credibility that need creative and unorthodox ways of getting heard. Walker Hayes and Caitlyn Smith are both impossible to compare to anyone else; they are true originals and originality is what we intend to build Monument on.”