Local singer-songwriter Colt Graves is continuing to reach new heights in the music industry. It was announced Wednesday that Graves is the first artist signed under the newly created partnership between Universal Music Group Nashville and Timbaland’s Mosley Music. His first release under UMGN and Mosley Music will be the new song “Burning House,” out October 18.
“It’s been a hell of a journey to get to this point and I’m so grateful to Timbaland, my team, and the UMG Nashville team for believing in me and being part of this journey. Thank you, Cindy, Chelsea, and team,” Graves said.
Timbaland said in a release, “From the moment I heard Colt, I knew he was special. He crosses the boundaries of a specific format of music which I believe is what makes him stand out as an artist.”
UMGN Chair & CEO Cindy Mabe said Graves is the perfect artist for the company’s first collaboration with Mosley Music.
“He’s simply electric and speaks from a unique and overlooked musical fusion growing up in the bluegrass heartland and taught by his legendary Bluegrass Hall of Fame grandfather Josh Graves,” Mabe said. “Colt is a gifted storyteller who mixes the backdrop and musical influences of his Owensboro, Kentucky lifestyle with a gritty fusion of country, hip-hop, rock and folk. His edgy vocals and musical fusion is magnetic and I’m so excited to share his musical vision with the world. He’s really a special artist.”
Graves fell in love with music as a child, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Josh Graves. Graves’s father, Josh Jr., was also active on the music scene, playing with Jimmy C. Riley, who famously performed “Harper Valley PTA,” and other instrumental musicians on the folk scene.
Graves transitioned into a solo career in 2021 and released his first single, “Lonesome Roads,” in 2022, and things have only gone up from there. In May 2023, his single “Dirt on Me” quickly rose to No. 13 on the iTunes country music chart, and that was around the time he first connected with Timbaland. Less than 2 months later, Graves signed a record deal with Timbaland.
The release from UMGN and Mosley Music said Graves captivates audiences with “emotionally resonant narratives that span the spectrum of human experience.”
“His music is a fusion of folk, country, and a blend of modern influences drawn from the realms of pop and hip-hop,” the release says. “What sets Colt apart is his ability to seamlessly meld the traditional with the contemporary, fusing powerful vocals with the twang of classic country instruments and the pulse of modern beats. The result is a distinct and compelling musical experience that leaves a mark on the soul.”
Hailing from the musical heartland of Owensboro, Kentucky, Colt Graves carries a legacy of music in his veins. He honed his craft under the guiding influence of his legendary grandfather, the revered Bluegrass Hall of Fame Member, Josh Graves. From a young age, Colt’s passion for songwriting ignited, setting the stage for a genre-crossing musical journey that would ultimately lead him to embark on a solo career in 2021. Colt is a storyteller, an artist who captivates audiences with emotionally resonant narratives that span the spectrum of human experience. His music is a fusion of folk, country, and a blend of modern influences drawn from the realms of pop and hip-hop. What sets Colt apart is his ability to seamlessly meld the traditional with the contemporary, fusing powerful vocals with the twang of classic country instruments and the pulse of modern beats. The result is a distinct and compelling musical experience that leaves a mark on the soul.
Universal Music Group Nashville is a label group consisting of imprints Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville, and Mercury Nashville; comedy label Capitol Comedy Nashville; its distribution arm Silver Wings Records; and film/TV production unit Sing Me Back Home Productions. The artist roster includes well-known artists such as Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, George Strait, Hootie & The Blowfish, Jon Pardi, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Reba McEntire, Tyler Hubbard, Vince Gill, and more, plus comedian Nate Bargatze.
