Morgan Wallen Criticizes Former Label, Managers for Re-Releasing Old Music Without His Permission
Morgan Wallen fans may have noticed new music from the singer on streaming platforms last week, but the release was one that wasn't condoned by the artist himself. In a statement released on Thursday and written in the middle of a duck hunting trip, Wallen criticized his former label and managers for re-releasing a 10th anniversary edition of music he first shared ten years ago as well as additional unreleased songs.
Back in time: Wallen began his message by explaining that in 2014, he went to Florida and signed a recording deal with a local investor as well as an artist management deal he "deeply" regrets. While there, Wallen and his collaborators wrote 13 songs, some of which Wallen called "ok" and most of them "terrible." Five of those songs appeared on his 2015 EP Stand Alone, including the fan-favorite "Spin You Around."
On Friday, Wallen's former collaborators released Stand Alone (10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), distributed with the assistance of the singer's former managers, a release Wallen wrote he had been attempting to block for months by "exploring every avenue possible to acquire the rights to this old music & keep the quality of my catalog consistent with songs I choose to release & believe in."
"It's gross, greedy & an example of how the dark side of the music business can suck the soul out of artists," he continued, reiterating his desire to make sure fans know the re-release is not a project he sanctioned. At the time of this writing, it appears that Stand Alone (10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) has been removed from Spotify.
The record label responsible for the re-release was Panacea Records, which Wallen signed to following his stint on The Voice in 2014. "Spin You Around" was Wallen's debut single on Panacea Records and was certified Gold by the RIAA in 2021.
Leaving the duck woods: In response to the imminent re-release, Wallen re-recorded and released "Spin You Around (1/24)," thanking producers Joey Moi and Bryan Sutton for their help in his statement. Wallen “did the artwork myself while in the woods duck hunting” and told fans, “Hope you like it, lol.”
He also revealed that he would be donating $100k from the Morgan Wallen Foundation to the Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals For The Arts program, writing that he hopes aspiring artists reading his story "know they should never have to give up their creative freedoms for an opportunity in this business."
As for actual new music, Wallen confirmed that he will begin recording his next project at the end of February and that "when new music is ready, you'll hear it directly from me."