Country music superstar, Toby Keith, founded independent label, Show Dog Nashville in 2005. In 2001, Universal Records South was originally formed as a joint venture between Universal Music Group and music industry veterans Tim DuBois and Tony Brown; in 2007 it became a wholly owned Universal company with Mark Wright serving as President of the label.

In December 2009, Show Dog Nashville and Universal Records South merged to form Show Dog – Universal Music. Superstar Toby Keith serves as Principal of the company while Mark Wright acts as President. In January 2010, Trace Adkins joined the label as their first post-merger signee. In addition to Keith and Adkins, other artists on the roster include Baylie Brown, Carter’s Chord, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Randy Houser, Joe Nichols, Ashley Ray, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Trailer Choir, and Phil Vassar.

In May of 2010, Show Dog – Universal Music celebrated their first post-merger #1 single with Joe Nichols' “Gimmie That Girl” for three consecutive weeks.