Katie Armiger In Dispute with Record Label / Locked Out of Social Network Accounts

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Up-and-coming country artist Katie Armiger appears to be in a struggle with her label Cold River Records, and a struggle to be able to speak for herself. The 23-year-old originally from the Houston, TX suburb of Sugar Land is regularly named as one of country music’s rising female country stars, and her last album Fall Into Me from 2013 debuted at #7 on the Country Albums chart.

Right as Armiger was getting ready to release her fifth album through independent label Cold River Records, it was revealed on Wednesday (6-17) by label President Pete O’Heeron that Katie had decided to take a “breather” from country music to pursue her “next career aspirations.”

“It has been the thrill of a lifetime to work with her and watch her blossom into one of the best singer-songwriters of her generation,” the statement from Pete O’Heeron read. “Katie is a special talent and an even better person. As a label, we love her and support her decision and we will always be her biggest fans. To our radio partners, we thank each of you for your support and friendship through the years. We hope to have an opportunity to thank each of you in person and we will be in touch very soon. We will have more information in the coming days about the future of the label. We have no plans for a reduction in staff. For now, we are going to take a minute to reflect on our many friends and the tremendous support the country music community has given us.”

The news was originally reported by Country Aircheck, and then dutifully rebroadcast by Taste of Country and The Boot among others.

However, Katie Armiger herself is refuting the news that she’s moving on from country music, or at least she’s trying to. Apparently locked out of her Facebook and Twitter accounts, Katie made an Instagram post late Wednesday explaining that she was at odds with what Cold River Records is claiming.

“‘A breather? Quit country music? Leaving mt career behind?’ Not my words, and certainly not my intention,” the Instgram post reads. “I’ll be able to make an official statement soon..Love you all! Oh…and I no longer have access to my Twitter or FB accounts.”

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The Instagram post was taken down, but Katie posted another shortly…that was taken down as well.

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Meanwhile Katie Armiger’s Twitter account appears to have been deleted, and her Facebook makes no reference to the current drama.

Cold River Records has two artists—Katie Armiger and Neal McCoy. Armiger is the original artist for the label, releasing her debut, self-titled album through in August of 2007. Cold River boasts ten employees including multiple regional managers according to their Facebook page. They have no formal website.

Whether were seeing the implosion of Cold River Records, or the separating of ways for Cold River and Katie Armiger, it’s never good to see the words and intentions of artists being misrepresented, and their ability to speak to the public being stifled. It all underscores the difficulties the country music industry has attempting to launch sustainable careers for female country artists.

Stay tuned as we continue to attempt to sort out what is happening in the Katie Armiger / Cold River saga.

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