ERNEST forms label

The label signed GRAMMY-nominated Chandler Walters, Rhys Rutherford and Cody Lohden as its first artists.

"We're going to build this thing wide and on concrete," ERNEST said 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."

"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 said. "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."

The inaugural project, "Cadillac Sessions," is a mixtape-style compilation featuring two new originals and one cover from ERNEST, Walters, Rutherford and Lohden – plus additional superstar guests, out May 9.

The organic sonics of honky tonk, Western swing, '90s country, and more collide on the project, becoming a hybrid of classic and cutting edge which positions each artist's skill. Production was done at Nashville's Castle Recording Studios and filmed documentary-style.

Walters, a Marietta, Ga., has toured as a steel-guitar player with Post Malone and ERNEST, and has enjoyed success as a songwriter (Post Malone's 5X Platinum "I Had Some Help (featuring Morgan Wallen)").

Lohden, a former firefighter / paramedic, was raised in Garfield, Ky. Lohden got his first guitar at 12 and was influenced Keith Whitley, Don Williams, and Bob Seger.

Rutherford was born and raised in Nashville. His father is Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford.