AN ARTIST-FIRST NASHVILLE MUSIC COMPANY
MAKE YOUR NEXT RECORD IN NASHVILLE.
Major label-caliber record production, music publishing, and artist development for independent Country, Americana, and Folk singer-songwriters.
Great records begin with great songs. At Century Music Group, we work with independent singer-songwriters to develop their material and create major label-caliber records in Nashville built around the artist, the songs, and where they want to go.
But making the record is only part of the relationship.
Our work with select artists can continue beyond the recording process through music publishing, artist development, release strategy, songwriting, industry introductions, and other opportunities that make sense as the artist and the music develop.
The goal isn't simply to make a record and move on. It's to build a creative relationship that can continue beyond the studio.
BEYOND THE SONG.
BUILT AROUND THE ARTIST.
No two artists—and no two records—should sound the same.
At Century Music Group, the production process begins with the artist, the songs, and the creative direction. We work together to choose the right material, define the sound, and build the right Nashville team for each project.
From pre-production through the final recording, every decision—from musicians and arrangements to studios and engineers—is made around the music we're creating together.
The goal isn't to fit an artist into a formula. It's to make a record that sounds like them.
MAJOR LABEL-CALIBER. NASHVILLE MADE.
The difference isn’t simply where a record is made. It’s who makes it.
Century Music Group produces records with first-call Nashville session musicians, GRAMMY-nominated engineers, and premier Nashville recording studios—professionals working every day on major-label and nationally released records.
The professionals we work with bring credits spanning artists including George Strait, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, and many others.
For each project, we assemble the team around the artist, the songs, and what the record needs.
FIRST-CALL NASHVILLE MUSICIANS • GRAMMY-NOMINATED ENGINEERS • PREMIER NASHVILLE STUDIOS
THE MUSIC IN MOTION.
A look inside the studio as artists and first-call Nashville musicians bring the songs to life.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Century Music Group also creates professional video content for artists, businesses, brands, and creative projects in Nashville.
Recent Recordings.
Major label-caliber Nashville record production, produced by Art Ward for Century Music Group.
FROM THE ARTISTS.
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“THE DIFFERENCE WAS IMMEDIATE. WORKING WITH FIRST-CALL NASHVILLE MUSICIANS AND AN EXPERIENCED PRODUCTION TEAM TOOK MY SONGS TO A LEVEL I HADN’T REACHED BEFORE. THE FINISHED RECORDS SOUND AND FEEL LIKE THE RECORDS I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE.”
Michael R. — Denver, CO
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“CENTURY MUSIC GROUP TOOK THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND ME AS AN ARTIST, NOT JUST MY SONGS. THE PROCESS HELPED ME FIND A CLEARER DIRECTION, MAKE BETTER CREATIVE DECISIONS, AND CREATE MUSIC THAT ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE ME.”
Sarah L. — Toronto, ON
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“THE RELATIONSHIP DOESN’T END WHEN THE RECORD IS FINISHED. FROM DEVELOPING THE SONGS AND MAKING THE RECORDS TO TALKING THROUGH RELEASES AND WHAT COMES NEXT, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A TEAM I CAN CONTINUE BUILDING WITH.”
Jake M. — Austin, TX
BUILT ON EXPERIENCE.
For more than 35 years, Art Ward has worked with artists, songwriters, musicians, and industry professionals in Nashville and beyond.
As founder and producer at Century Music Group, Art brings that experience to every project—developing the songs, defining the creative direction, and assembling the Nashville musicians, engineers, and studios best suited to each record.
That producer-led approach extends beyond the studio. From making records to artist development, music publishing, release strategy, and what comes next, the focus is on building the right team around the artist and making decisions that support where they want to go.
“THE RECORD IS PART OF THE JOURNEY. WHAT WE BUILD WITH THE ARTIST IS THE BIGGER OPPORTUNITY.”
— Art Ward
Frequently Asked Questions
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Century Music Group primarily works with independent Country, Americana, and Folk singer-songwriters who are ready to make professional records and continue developing as artists.
We look for strong songs, a distinctive artistic point of view, and artists who are serious about investing in their music and building the right team around it.
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Every relationship begins with the artist, the songs, and what they’re trying to build.
For many artists, that means developing material and making new records in Nashville. From there, the relationship may grow to include music publishing, release strategy, artist development, industry introductions, and other opportunities that make sense for the artist and the music.
There is no one-size-fits-all path.
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We begin before the studio. Together, we evaluate the songs, creative direction, arrangements, and goals for the record.
From there, Century Music Group builds the Nashville recording team around the project, bringing together professional musicians, engineers, studios, and other creative collaborators as needed.
The goal is to make a record that sounds like the artist—at a professional level.
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Century Music Group produces major label-caliber records in Nashville using first-call session musicians, experienced engineers with GRAMMY-recognized work, and premier Nashville recording studios.
But the difference isn’t simply the studio or equipment—it’s the people making the record. We work within the same Nashville professional recording community responsible for major-label and nationally released records every day.
Each project is producer-led and built around the artist and the songs, with the musicians, engineers, studio, arrangements, and creative direction selected according to what the record needs.
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Yes. Artists should expect to participate financially in the professional production of their music.
Recording budgets depend on the songs, number of tracks, musicians, studios, and scope of the project. In select relationships, Century Music Group may also invest alongside the artist as part of a broader partnership.
Specific budgets and partnership terms are discussed after we’ve heard the music and determined there may be a good fit.
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Our primary focus is developing and creating new music with the artists we work with rather than providing standalone promotion, marketing, label services, or representation for recordings produced elsewhere.
If you already have released or unreleased music, we’re still happy to hear it as a way of getting to know you as an artist. If there’s a fit, the conversation would generally be about what we could create together next.
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Record production can be one part of a broader relationship.
When there is a mutual fit, Century Music Group may work with an artist around song development, music publishing, creative direction, releases, career decisions, industry relationships, and future recordings.
These opportunities develop from the relationship; they are not guaranteed simply by recording with Century Music Group.
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No. Century Music Group works with artists from across the United States and internationally.
Song development, planning, and pre-production can often begin remotely, with artists traveling to Nashville as needed for recording and other creative work.
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Tell us about yourself, share your music, and let us know what you’re hoping to build.
We review submissions to determine whether the artist, material, and goals may be a fit for the kind of work we do. If we see potential to work together, we’ll reach out to continue the conversation and discuss possible next steps.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR MUSIC.
Century Music Group works with independent Country, Americana, Folk, and related roots-oriented singer-songwriters who are ready to develop their music and make major label-caliber records in Nashville.
Every relationship begins with the artist and the songs. Tell us about yourself, where you are in your career, and what you’re hoping to build. Share 1–3 songs that best represent you today—demos, work tapes, or previous releases are all welcome.
We’re especially interested in hearing from artists looking for the right team to help develop and create what comes next, rather than standalone promotion or representation for an already-finished recording.
We review every submission personally. If we believe there may be a fit, we’ll reach out to continue the conversation.
You'll receive a confirmation email after submitting your project.
If you don't see it within a few minutes, please check your spam or junk folder.