ERNEST launched DeVille Records, a record label built on traditional artist development and creative confidence, created in partnership with Big Loud Records. The GRAMMY and four-time ACM Awards nominee announced the exciting news of his new business endeavor on Friday (April 4) via social media.
ERNEST Announces New Record Label DeVille Records
“I’m proud to announce my record label, DeVille Records… We’re going to build this thing wide and on concrete,” ERNEST shared in a statement of DeVille Records. “Artist development. Write the songs and do it the old-school way. Make the videos, see the vision, help the vision come to life.”
According to a press release, DeVille Records will be “focused on artist development, personal song craft and a collaborative spirit, the label is designed to build careers for the long haul.”
GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Chandler Walters, along with Rhys Rutherford and Cody Lohden, are the first artists signed to the newly launched record label. All three artists (as well as ERNEST) are managed by Kiley Donohoe at Greenhouse Management. “I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and watch Chandler Walters, Rhys Rutherford and Cody Lohden grow over the last several years and I can’t think of better artists to launch with,” ERNEST continued.
First Artists Signed To DeVille Records, Founded By ERNEST
Chandler Walters
Chandler Walters, a multi-talented Marietta, Georgia native, is reviving the classic country sound with his energetic style. Already a seasoned steel-guitar player who has toured with Post Malone and ERNEST, Chandler is also a multi-Platinum, all-genre No. 1 songwriter for Post Malone’s 5X Platinum hit “I Had Some Help (feat. Morgan Wallen).” With his artistic career now taking off, Chandler’s music blends rock and country influences, positioning him as a fresh voice in the genre. He also landed on Music Mayhem’s 2025 Artists To Watch list.
Cody Lohden
Cody Lohden, a powerhouse vocalist and gifted songwriter, is primed for a major breakout. A former firefighter and paramedic, Cody’s self-made success story is about to take a new direction. Raised in Garfield, Kentucky, Cody developed a deep love for country music early on, drawing inspiration from legends like Keith Whitley and Don Williams, while also incorporating the gritty rock influence of artists like Bob Seger. His distinctive sound and storytelling are setting him up for a promising future in country music.
Rhys Rutherford
Rhys Rutherford, a Nashville native with a powerful baritone voice, is making his mark as an emerging country songwriter. With a deep education in songwriting, Rhys was encouraged by ERNEST to pursue an artistic career, following in the footsteps of his father, Rivers Rutherford, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Rhys’s mix of contemporary country and classic influences is quickly gaining attention, and he’s ready to showcase his craft to the world.
DeVille Records Debut Release, Cadillac Sessions, Arrives May 9
The label’s first-ever release, Cadillac Sessions, will be a mixtape-style compilation recorded at Nashville’s Castle Recording Studios. Cadillac Sessions will feature a mix of new original songs and cover songs from each of the label’s signees—Walters, Rutherford, and Lohden—along with ERNEST. The project, arriving on May 9, will also feature superstar special guests such as Snoop Dogg, Miranda Lambert, Jake Worthington and more.
Following the introductory release of Cadillac Sessions, Chandler Walters, Rhys Rutherford and Cody Lohden will each release solo records.
ERNEST Previously Partnered With Big Loud For ERN’s Cadillac Music
This isn’t ERNEST and Big Loud’s first partnership; they previously launched a publishing company, ERN’s Cadillac Music, in January 2024. The company is home to songwriters Walters, Lohden, Rutherford, Rafe Tenpenny and Jacob Durrett.
“We have been in business with ERNEST for almost a decade. What started with ERN as a young, prolific songwriter-artist in Big Loud’s publishing hallways, has evolved into so much more over the years,” Big Loud CEO/Partner Seth England added. “Our partnerships in ERN’s Cadillac Music have gone so well, and his desire to create DeVille Records alongside of it made sense. ERNEST himself grew in an independent and cultural environment much like the one he desires to create. He and I have talked about this day for years, and all of the unique ways we could help break the next wave of prolific artists. Kudos to Rhys, Cody and Chandler for buying into this vision and supporting this unique rollout style with our upcoming DeVille project.”
Both DeVille Records and ERN’s Cadillac Music are named with ERNEST’s prized 1975 Coupe DeVille in mind.
