What we do
Makin’ Music LLC is a full-service independent music company based in Nashville, Tennessee, dedicated to guiding artists, songwriters, and music professionals with a wide range of creative and career-focused services. Founded in 1985, Makin’ Music has built a strong reputation for personalized artist development, honest leadership, and results-driven strategies.
We offer expertise in artist development, career consulting, independent song plugging, radio promotion, demo production, social media marketing, and music publishing. Our work supports not only independent artists but also collaborations with other record labels. As the sister company to Foremost Records, we’re proud to provide creative services that extend across the industry.
Makin’ Music is led by Chris Dodson, a respected songwriter and producer whose credits include work with legendary artists such as Kix Brooks, Merle Haggard, and Keith Whitley. His recent projects include writing and producing Julie Ingram’s new album for Longshot Records, producing a four-master album for Virginia Records, and producing singles for Sherri Sides and Brandon Giles.
Dodson is joined by long-time business partner Jeff Tweel, whose impressive portfolio includes work with Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Ann Rimes, B.J. Thomas, Sam & Dave, The Grassroots, as well as projects with Sony and Disney.
In addition to serving artists, Makin’ Music also represents and licenses Chris Dodson’s catalog of original works – spanning multiple genres and available for recording, film, and TV placement.
Whether partnering with a label or guiding an independent artist, Makin’ Music brings decades of experience, creative insight, and unwavering support to every project.
Foremost Records & Production
Foremost Records is an independent record label committed to releasing music that moves people – and careers. We don’t just chase good songs; we focus on career songs that define an artist’s identity and stand the test of time.
As the sister company to Makin’ Music LLC, Foremost Records leverages over 35 years of success in artist development, song plugging, and production to offer its artists a unique competitive advantage. Together, we provide a seamless blend of creative services, industry access, and label support to help new and established talent thrive.
Foremost has access to a powerful, curated song catalog through Makin’ Music’s long-standing relationships with top Nashville songwriters and publishers – giving our artists access to standout material that’s often unavailable to newer acts.
We also prioritize production excellence. Foremost utilizes cutting-edge production and engineering techniques to create commercial-grade records that are built to compete on radio, streaming platforms, and beyond.
From boutique projects to radio-ready singles, our team brings decades of proven experience to every release. Recent collaborative efforts include Julie Ingram for Longshot Records, Virginia Records’ latest album project, and singles for Sherri Sides and Brandon Giles.
FOREMOST MUSIC
A select group of recordings embodying the best of Singer/Songwriter/Producer Chris Dodsons's newest works.