Toby Keith’s Show Dog

Toby Keith made it official August 31st that he will launch his own label, Show Dog Records. The company will be a stand-alone label distributed by Universal.

“We can literally make a decision at noon and get started by 1 p.m.,” Keith said. “I get to do things exactly my way.”

Keith is starting Show Dog with former DreamWorks Nashville exec Scott Borchetta. The country singer will be the first signing to the label, and his forthcoming album will be Show Dog’s first release.

Staff for the new venture will be announced in the coming weeks. The label was set to open its doors September 1st.

Keith left Mercury Records in 1999 because he was unhappy with the way his music was being handled. He moved to DreamWorks Nashville, which was acquired last year by Universal Music Group (Mercury’s parent). He split that label earlier this summer.

In related news, the DreamWorks Nashville name is being retired, according to UMG’s Peter Lofrumento.

“We’re no longer going to be using the DreamWorks name as per our purchase agreement of the company,” he told Pollstar. “We had only x-amount of time to use the name, and that time is coming up.

“However, the artists and employees will continue to work for our other two imprints, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville.”

DreamWorks’ roster includes Darryl Worley, Gary Nichols, Tracy Lawrence, Hot Apple Pie, Jessica Andrews, Jimmy Wayne, and Richie Jones.