Black River Entertainment

Background

Black River Entertainment was launched in late 2007 by Nashville session musician Jimmy Nichols (James Ginnetti), his wife Tonya Cochran Ginnetti, and Terry and Kim Pegula. The label's first signing was former RCA recording artist Jeff Bates, who had previously placed three songs in the Billboard top 40. Nichols, serving as label president along with Kenny Beard and Mickey Jack Cones, produced Bates' self-titled album, released in April 2008. While preparing for Bates' release, Black River sought a second artist and discovered singer/songwriter Sarah Darling through her MySpace music page. Darling had gained some recognition as a finalist on E!'s reality show The Entertainer, hosted by Wayne Newton. The label signed her and began recording her debut album, Every Monday Morning, in summer 2008; it was released on June 16, 2009. Her single "Jack of Hearts" debuted on CMT's top 20 countdown, and her first top-40 country hit, "Home to Me," peaked in fall 2012, after which she left the label. In February 2009, Black River signed Emma Jacob, with Nichols producing her album alongside her manager, Lex Lipsitz, who also manages Kate & Kacey. The label primarily records at "Ronnie's Place," a studio in its Nashville building previously owned by Ronnie Milsap and named in his honor. On October 8, 2012, CMT reported that American Idol alumna Kellie Pickler had signed with the label and was working on her fourth studio album, The Woman I Am, released on November 11, 2013.