Welcome to Ranch Hand Records! RHR is a record label and a production company in Palmyra VA, that operates just a bit differently than most.

It began strictly to service the records of Alt Western pioneers, Ice House Road, what is known in the industry as a “Vanity” label. When IHR went on indefinite hiatus, Rand Hand Records hung in for a few years, and we started doing some event production, etc., but finally got tired of paying to keep it barely alive and let all the trappings (website, digital streaming, etc.) just fade away.

The Fans were on our side, though, and began asking for Ice House Road to be back on the streamers, and for some more CD’s too! Well, we are back on the streamers, and we are in talks now to maybe get The More You Drink… back in a physical copy again!

In the meantime, ToBe Fare took off and started recording and releasing music in 2019 (as BiG!), with no real support from the label. But with the advent of IHR getting back on track, we thought it would be in everyone’s best interest if we relaunched and took care of the music as a group. This especially became a positive when we decided to sign bands outside of the basic IHR “family.”

Ranch Hand Records would like to formally welcome the latest band to become part of the family, but that will just have to wait for a minute. Stay tuned!

There are more great surprises coming soon, too! As well as a great mini festival in Troy VA on October 21st. Damn, we’re getting tired.

So, what makes Ranch Hand Records different from most of the other record companies? (We say “most” because we are sure that there are others out there that feel the same as we do and want the best for their artists.) But semantics aside, what differentiates RHR from the others is ownership. Ownership of the music, of the company, of the merch, all the “stuff” that can make a record contract more like a prison sentence.

Ranch Hand Records is a Co-op. We don’t hand out big bundles of money (or even small ones) to the artists just for them to have to pay back to us (plus interest) at a measly royalty rate; that can end up with the artist owing the record company money after having a hit record! Each artist pays for their own recording, and then covers the raw (third party) costs of promoting and releasing the record. (Each artist OWNS their work. PERIOD.) Because, with those costs covered, RHR then can do all the mind-numbing work of getting the record mastered, artwork set, making the release proper, getting radio play and streaming services set, creating and maintaining the web presence, creating and vending merchandise, maintaining a digital presence and, hopefully, building a worldwide presence and fanbase for the artists that decide to work with us -- Whether as a solo artist, band, podcaster or YouTuber.

What’s in it for us, you may ask? Well, besides the obvious love of good music, podcasts, videos and jobs well-done, We believe that this paradigm can make a little money for everyone involved. We, as the record label and production company, get a small percentage of any profits from digital sales and merchandise, streaming and crowdfunding through the company. The artists keep everything else. As a Co-op, The artists, actually own part of the label, instead of the label owning part (if not all) of the Artists.

So, when it’s time to get some new music, support a podcast or video blog or buy a new T-shirt or hat, try us out. We are only here to entertain YOU the listeners!

Also, PLEASE send us any questions that you may have about any of this. We will answer them directly and probably start a FAQ section too!

Thanks for taking the time to check us out!