James Stroud's history as a musician, producer, music publisher and industry executive spans over 40 years.  As a percussionist he has played behind the likes of The Pointer Sisters, Paul Simon, Gladys Knight, Bob Seger and dozens more, and he produced his first hit in 1976 with the triple platinum-selling "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore.  Many hits and production accolades have followed.  Stroud achieved major country music success producing albums for Tim McGraw and Clint Black in the 1990s. After making his foray into the record label side of the industry, Stroud has been at the helm of Giant Records (at which time he discovered Clay Walker), DreamWorks Records Nashville (where he signed Toby Keith and produced four of the singer's multi-platinum albums) and served as Co-Chairman of Universal Music Group in Nashville (steering the careers of the likes of Vince Gill, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire and Sugarland).  There is no doubt that James Stroud is a true music visionary.  To date, he has produced albums that have collectively sold over 52 million copies, and had more than 90 #1 records, including two in 2010 with rising country star Chris Young.

In 2008 Stroud formed his new independent record label, Stroudavarious Records.  From its inception, Stroudavarious has attracted some of the finest artists in country music, including Willie Nelson and Darryl Worley, and currently boasts a roster that includes not only Nelson and Worley, but also exciting newcomers LoCash Cowboys and Houston County. In July of 2010 Stroud announced a partnership with Dale Morris of Morris Management (Alabama, Kenny Chesney) to form a joint venture uniting Stroudavarious and DMP/Treehouse Records.

"Our mission," says Stroud, "is to combine forces to include records, management and booking. I feel this is the new business model for our industry and with my partners Dale Morris and Clint Higham, we can’t lose." Morris first established Treehouse in June 2009 with Blaine Larsen as its flagship artist. Larsen will remain on the DMP/Treehouse roster, along with Rob Lane, Andy Gibson and Jason Mitchell. All artists will be worked by the combined staff at Stroudavarious and DMP/Treehouse.

August of 2010 brought the launch of a new Stroudavarious imprint label, Emrose Records, formed with Washington, DC-based investor Tom Natelli. Emrose will be based in Nashville and Stroudavarious Records will manage all aspects of the label’s promotion, sales and marketing efforts. Nashville-based singer and songwriter Margaret Durante is the first artist signed to the label. Her debut album, co-produced by Stroud and Stephony Smith, is scheduled for release late this year.

"Even though the business model of the music industry changes," Stroud has said, "the one constant has been the importance of the artists and their songs.  The vision of Stroudavarious Records is for the creativity to take precedence and to allow the music to take care of the business."