ABC Music artist Steve Forde has been signed to new US record label Stroudavarious Records.

Stroudavarious Records is headed by award winning US producer and former Universal Music Group Nashville co-CEO James Stroud. Stroud has produced albums that have collectively sold over 52 million copies worldwide.

Forde's first single in the US will be released later this year.

After releasing three albums independently and becoming a channel host for the Country Music Channel, Forde signed a record deal locally with ABC Music in early 2007.

The announcement of this US deal follows the releases of his self-titled album in September 2007 and his latest album Guns & Guitars last October. The later album topped the ARIA Australian Artist Country Albums Charts. 

“Steve Forde champions the ideals of rural Australia's youth with his songs and live show. In creating this niche for himself he's continued to build a career both locally and now in the US as well. This announcement is very exciting and a great reward for the years of dedication Steve has committed to his music career,” said Robert Patterson, Head of ABC Music. 

This news follows the signing of fellow ABC Music artist Shea Fisher to the same US label earlier this year.