NASHVILLE, TENN. – Recently announced as one-of-three inaugural signees of DeVille Records, rising singer-songwriter Rhys Rutherford today releases his first-ever offering, the sonically smooth and lyrically clever “Southern Belle.” The new song is the second release – following ERNEST’s “folk-rock honky-tonk” (Billboard) collaboration “Gettin’ Gone (feat. Snoop Dogg)” – from upcoming Cadillac Sessions, out May 9.
“I’m proud to release ‘Southern Belle’ as my first song,” shares Rutherford. “I hope it’s a reflection of my influences – from the artists whose country music I grew up on like Tim McGraw and Toby Keith to artists leading the way today like ERNEST and Luke Combs.”
Raised on songs, Rutherford is now putting his education to work. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, the student of songwriting masters learned at the foot of his father – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford – soaking up the wisdom and sound of chart-topping contemporary country.
With the instincts of a Music City hitmaker, Rutherford, signed to ERN’s Cadillac Music, penned “Southern Belle” alongside Clara Park and John Pierce. Flanked with fiddle and pedal steel, Rutherford’s debut song hinges on the clever lyrical turn: that rings a southern belle / it’s a burn that I know all too well.
Listen to “Southern Belle”
Pre-Save / Pre-Add Cadillac Sessions
DeVille Records’ inaugural project Cadillac Sessions is a mixtape-style compilation featuring two new originals and one cover from ERNEST, Chandler Walters, Rutherford and Cody Lohden – plus special guests Snoop Dogg, Miranda Lambert and Jake Worthington. The organic sonics of honky tonk, Western swing, ’90s country, and more collide with vivid imagery and modern hooks 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 capturing the creative camaraderie – and the spark of first-time artists living out their dreams, essential to country’s next chapter.
ABOUT RHYS RUTHERFORD
With the killer instincts of a Music City hitmaker, 25-year-old Rhys Rutherford was raised on songs – and is now putting his education to work. Signed to ERN’s Cadillac Music /DeVille Records and with a commanding baritone vocal, the emerging country songwriter’s first batch of tunes were just beginning to land, when provocateur (and benevolent bossman) ERNEST encouraged him to pursue an artistic career. “His voice is too good to just give away songs,” ERN says. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, the student of songwriting masters learned at the foot of his father – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Rivers Rutherford – soaking up the wisdom and sound of chart-topping contemporary country. Matching that to a penchant for classic rock, grunge and hip hop, he wrote his first song at 16 – and after coming home from a short stint at Ole Miss, began using that open-minded fusion of styles for real. Years of under-the-radar work led to a publishing deal with ERN’s Cadillac Music in 2023, and then early cuts like Bailey Zimmerman’s “Is This Really Over?,” ERNEST’s “Hangin’ On (feat. Morgan Wallen),” George Pippen’s “Rest of Our Life,” and more. Blending those songwriting chops with his rumbling, soul-piercing vocal and a knack for authentic, relatable hooks, Rutherford is one of the first artists signed to DeVille Records. He’ll make his first appearance on the label-launching Cadillac Sessions mixtape, sharing the dusky dive-bar anthem of missed chances “Get Her Name” and more. And with a solo debut in the works, Rutherford is just scratching the surface of his potential. “I think this is just the start of something … something really big,” he says.
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ABOUT DEVILLE RECORDS
Founded in 2025 by multi-Platinum singer-songwriter and emerging music mogul ERNEST, DeVille Records is a new-school label built on old-school creative values, steering toward the future of country music. A joint venture with Big Loud Records focused on artist development, personal song craft and a collaborative spirit, the label is designed to build careers for the long haul – just like ERNEST’s prized Cadillac DeVille – and welcomes Chandler Walters, Rhys Rutherford, and Cody Lohden as its first signed artists. Handpicked and schooled in ERNEST’s classic-cool style, they make their debut on Cadillac Sessions, a mixtape-style compilation introducing each new talent – alongside ERNEST and other special guests. Featuring a mix of originals and choice covers, the set was recorded at Nashville’s Castle Recording Studios bringing new energy to the timeless country craft, as ERN continues to “water Nashville’s songwriting culture” for a new generation of growth. Solo records for each new artist will be the next step, and from there, the road ahead is wide open.
CONNECT WITH DEVILLE RECORDS
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | YOUTUBE
