Scott Borchetta to replace Randy Jackson as 'American Idol' mentor

A month ahead of the premiere of American Idol‘s 15th season, Fox has announced who will be filling the big dawg’s shoes as the show’s new competitor mentor.

Fox has set the president and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, Scott Borchetta, to be the mentor to season 15’s contestants on American Idol, replacing Randy Jackson. But Borchetta will be doing more than just helping the show’s budding musicians along the path to stardom.

The winner of season 15 will be signed to Borchetta’s Big Machine Records, making them part of a label that includes Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, and many other big acts.

Borchetta’s role has been “re-imagined and stepped up,” as he’ll be with the contestants through the live shows, and has already taken part in the season. Borchetta joined Idol during the Hollywood Week segment of the show, taking a first look at the contestants who he will be advising during the competition.

Jackson recently announced that he was leaving the show, though he had already stepped down from his judging duties to become mentor last year. Jackson was the last remaining original judge on the show, and now that he is completely off the show, leaves Ryan Seacrest as the only original on-camera personality who has been with the show since its first season.

Borchetta will mentor while returning judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. pick the next crop of promising performers when American Idol returns on Jan. 8.