UMG Nashville
Universal Music Group Nashville has appointed Robert Kilduff as chief financial officer. Kilduff brings to the role more than three decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic financial planning, operations, and corporate development.
Kilduff previously served as CFO for non-profit organization, the Gary Sinise Foundation. He has also served as CFO of New Form Entertainment, vice president of financial planning & analysis for WME, and vice president of financial planning & analysis for Universal Music Group North America. Kilduff has also helmed financial strategy for Broadramp, Inc. as an early tech start up, spearheaded the launch of an international software division for special effects company Digital Domain, and directed international financial teams and operations integration for the Viacom subsidiary Neopets.com/ Kilduff’s other finance roles have included PricewaterhouseCoopers Strategy Consulting, Warner Bros. Studios, and former Big Six accounting firm, Coopers & Lybrand. Kilduff holds degrees from UCLA and Columbia Business School.
“Having helped lead the financial growth strategy of businesses in music, film/television, and technology sectors, Bob has a wealth of knowledge that will be instrumental in the growth strategy of Universal Music Group Nashville,” said Universal Music Group Nashville Chair/CEO, Cindy Mabe in a statement. “He is the unicorn we were looking for to help grow the next era of UMGN. I am so excited for him to join our team.”
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Kilduff added, “I am thrilled to rejoin UMG, a company with such a rich history of creative excellence, and eager to contribute to its ongoing success and future growth.”
The addition of Kilduff is the latest shift for UMG Nashville, following the appointment of Derek Anderson as senior vp of commerce last month. The label group also recently teamed up with Timbaland’s Mosley Music.
The label group Universal Music Group Nashville consists of imprints Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville, and Mercury Nashville, as well as comedy label Capitol Comedy Nashville, which launched last year. In February, UMG Nashville revealed the launch of its distribution arm Silver Wings Records, as well as the launch of its film/tv production unit Sing Me Back Home Productions.
UMG Nashville’s artist roster includes Alan Jackson, Anne Wilson, Billy Currington, Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, Bryce Leatherwood, Carrie Underwood, Carter Faith, Catie Offerman, Caylee Hammack, Chris Stapleton, Dalton Dover, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Dillon James, Eric Church, George Strait, Hootie & The Blowfish, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Ross, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Louie TheSinger, Luke Bryan, Luke Grimes, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block, Reba McEntire, Sam Hunt, Sam Williams, The War And Treaty, Timothy Wayne, Tucker Wetmore, Tyler Hubbard, Vince Gill, Vincent Mason, and more, as well as comedian Nate Bargatze.
UMG Nashville has teamed with producer/artist/songwriter Timbaland‘s indie label Mosley Music, with the two companies set to explore rising talent and new music discoveries.
“Over the past year, we have been working with Timbaland on the shared goal of developing great artists together as well as bridging the gaps in sound and culture in country music,” says UMGN chair & CEO, Cindy Mabe, via a statement. “I am so happy to finally announce our collaboration with Mosley Music on the heels of his prestigious induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Timbaland is one of the most iconic producers, songwriters, and artists in the last 30 years, merging genres and opening the doors to magnify cultural impact across genres. Hailing from Norfolk, VA, Timbaland’s reach and impact have been felt across pop, hip-hop, and country music including working with and bridging sounds for artists like Bubba Sparxxx, For King + Country, and Brad Paisley. Timbaland continues to push open the doors making innovative cultural impact by pushing boundaries and I am excited to join forces in breaking barriers in country music.”
Timbaland added via a statement, “I’ve been aligned with Universal Music Group the majority of my career as an artist and with my label Mosley Music, so UMG Nashville felt like the right place to partner for us in Country. I love their mission of taking chances on special artists to meet culture. Cindy, Chelsea, Charlene, Rob, Lori, Mike, and the rest of the team at UMG Nashville understand our vision and I know will be a great partner for us to continue to break artists.”
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UMG Nashville consists of imprints Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville, with artists including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Mickey Guyton, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and more. The label group has recently added to its offerings, launching the TV/film production company Sing Me Back Home Productions, Silver Wings Records, and the comedy division Capitol Comedy Nashville.
Mosley Music Group’s roster includes Timbaland, One Republic, and Carson Lueder. In 2017, Paisley worked with creatives including Timbaland on his album Love and War. In 2001, Bubba Sparxxx and Timbaland earned a No. 15 Billboard Hot 100 hit with “Ugly.”
Tucker Wetmore has inked a record deal with UMG Nashville, in partnership with Back Blocks Music. Wetmore is managed by Back Blocks Music and is signed to WME for global booking representation.
Earlier this year, Wetmore broke through with the hits “Wine into Whiskey” and “Wind Up Missin’ You.” “Wine Into Whiskey” earned Wetmore his Billboard Hot 100 debut in March, while both songs reached the top 20 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart.
He follows with his latest release “What Would You Do?” while “Wind Up Missin’ You” will go to country radio with an impact date of June 10, via EMI Records Nashville.
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“Before I moved to Nashville, I sat down and made a list of goals for myself,” Wetmore said in a statement. “And for the last four years, I have been working toward them every single day. Today I have checked off one of the biggest I set for myself… signing a record deal. My new family at UMG Nashville checked all of my boxes. The drive, dedication, love and respect we all have for each other outside of music is the real reason why I’m so proud to now call them partners, along with my team at Back Blocks Music. With the fire that has already been started, I couldn’t pick better people to pour gasoline on it. I couldn’t be more excited and confident about this next chapter in my career. I love you all, thank you for continuing to make my dreams come true. God is so good.”
“The world has only seen a glimpse of what Tucker is going to do for country music,” UMG Nashville Chair & CEO, Cindy Mabe, said in a statement. “His strong connection to his purpose shines a light on what has helped build him: his family, his faith, his team and his fans. Representing country music from the Pacific Northwest, Tucker’s distinctive sound, soulful lyrics and his instantly likable personality bring the perfect ingredients to nurture and grow a lasting career. UMG Nashville is so honored to work with Tucker, Rakiyah and Back Blocks Music in building the next era of country music history.”“I’m honored to continue working with Tucker as he expands his team with the brilliant minds at UMG,” shared Back Blocks Music founder/CEO Rakiyah Marshall. “What Tucker and our Back Blocks team have built together in less than three years has been incredible, but it’s just the beginning. I am blown away by the character, talent and work ethic that make up who Tucker is as an artist and human, and am so thankful to be on this ride with the newest UMG Nashville artist.”
Wetmore, who was named Billboard‘s Country Rookie of the Month for May, recently opened shows for Kameron Marlowe‘s Strangers Tour and is set to join Luke Bryan‘s Farm Tour in September. Wetmore also has two songs featured on the soundtrack to the movie Twisters, including “Already Had It” and “Steal My Thunder” (with Conner Smith).
It’s time for another spin around the Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.
Singer-songwriter Tyler Hubbard (known for his work as part of Florida Georgia Line as well as solo hits including “5 Foot 9”) launched the music publishing company Haylo Music. It will be run by general manager Josh Saxe, formerly of J C Saxe Creative Consulting. Saxe will work with Hubbard to facilitate the daily songwriting strategy of the company’s publishing and creative services roster. A Belmont University graduate, Saxe launched his career as an associate director of A&R at Round Hill Music and rose to a senior director role. In 2019, he joined Endurance Music Group, managing a songwriter roster that included Matt Stell, Paul Sikes and Seth Alley. – Jessica Nicholson
Tencent Music Entertainment announced that Zhenyu Xie, the company’s president/chief technology officer, among other roles, is resigning from his executive positions as well as his role as a member of the board of directors. A press release states the resignation is “for personal reasons” and will be effective Mar. 31; Xie will continue serving as a consultant to the company. Additionally, the board has appointed Tencent Music CFO Min Hu (a.k.a. Shirley Hu) as a director of the company, effective Mar. 31. – Chris Eggertsen
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UMG Nashville hired Jake Gear as vp of A&R. Gear brings more than a decade of experience as a publisher, producer and writer manager to the role. The Belmont University graduate began his career in CMT’s music and licensing department before heading to publishing posts at Magic Mustang Music, Sea Gayle Music and BMG. He later launched the creative publishing venture Hang Your Hat Music with Concord Music and Songwriter Hall of Famer Hillary Lindsey. Gear has also acted as a writer manager for Lindsey and produced albums by Flatland Cavalry, Hailey Whitters and others. – Jessica Nicholson
Gonzalo Rangel stepped into a new role at WK Records as vp of A&R and marketing. The Puerto Rican executive — who has been managing breakout acts including Mexican regional-pop star Ramón Vega and Puerto Rican alt-pop singer Robi since 2017 — will now be responsible for “leading the label’s artistic discovery and development, in addition to overseeing all marketing efforts for its frontline roster,” the WK team tells Billboard. “I am glad to be able to form part of The WK team as the label continues into its fourth year. I look forward to contributing my expertise and leading the new generation of music here at WK Records,” says Rangel. His accomplishments include contributions to the 2022 hit song “Pantysito” by Alejo, Feid and Robi as well as facilitating collaborations for Vega with industry heavyweights such as Carin León, Jasiel Nuñez and mariacheño superstar Christian Nodal. Rangel’s prowess was further evidenced when he secured Vega as an opening act for CNCO‘s farewell tour leg in Mexico and nurtured the development of emerging Puerto Rican producer OG Flamez. Rangel will be reporting to Horacio Rodriguez, CEO of WK Records. – Isabela Raygoza
Stem added two new staff members, welcoming Nima Khalilian as head of international, artist & label strategy and Didi Purcell in an artist & label partnerships role. Khalilian joins Stem from Interscope, where he spent six years as the senior director of international marketing. Purcell joins from SoundOn, TikTok’s music distribution and artist services platform, where she worked as part of the artist & label partnerships team. Prior to SoundOn, Purcell oversaw pop & dance/electronic playlisting at Interscope. – Jessica Nicholson
The TBA Agency, which represents artists including Courtney Barnett, CHVRCHES and Mora, revealed several promotions and hires in New York and Los Angeles. New York-based Katie Nowak was promoted to vp of marketing and partnerships, while L.A.-based Corynne Fernandez transitioned from marketing and partnerships coordinator to director of marketing and artist development. Additionally, Ashley Torres was promoted to marketing and partnerships coordinator. TBA is also teaming with creative services consultancy The Department, founded by Jack Pitney and Kosta Elchev, to foster creative opportunities for the roster. Elsewhere, Nina Moss joined TBA as a marketing assistant. Agents Marshall Betts, Avery McTaggart, Amy Davidman, Ryan Craven and Devin Landau launched the agency in 2020. – Jessica Nicholson
Sarah Scales was named senior director of digital at Activist Artists Management. In the new role, she will be tasked with creating and executing digital marketing strategies for artists on the Activist roster, including Weyes Blood, The Pretty Reckless, Empire of the Sun and The Lumineers. She is based in the firm’s Nashville office. Prior to boarding Activist, Scales spent six years developing and implementing promotional campaigns for global brands and artists at Marbaloo Marketing and Q Management Group. – Chris Eggertsen
Guitar Center named Kristin Shane executive vp/chief merchandising and marketing officer. Reporting to CEO Gabe Dalporto, Shane will oversee the integration of the company’s marketing and merchandising functions to enhance the customer experience. She will also be responsible for product, promotions, visual merchandising, omni-channel experience and activations. Shane comes to Guitar Center from PetSmart, where she was senior vp/chief merchandising officer. – Chris Eggertsen
Aiden Cullen and Alex Gruszynski launched NOVA, a curated creative freelance network and marketplace designed to connect creatives with job opportunities across multiple mediums. NOVA soft-launched as a private Instagram account last year and has since filled approximately 7,500 jobs, according to the company, which says creative executives from companies including Apple, Capitol Records, Interscope Records and Spotify are “followers” of the platform. The NOVA app allows creatives to display their portfolios, grow their networks, display contact information for their representatives and more. Clients can do things like filter and search the platform’s directory of creatives, post jobs, manage applications, and create and organize talent lists that they can refer to when the time comes to fill future roles. – Chris Eggertsen
Róisín Warner was named head of marketing at Blackstar Agency. She was most recently a senior marketing manager at Believe and previously held roles at Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. The company’s former head of marketing, Breyner Baptista, is stepping into a new role on the board of the agency as non-executive director of A&R. – Chris Eggertsen
Last Week’s Turntable: WMG Vet Takes Temp CEO Role at Deezer
Universal Music Group Nashville, known for its roster of country music artists including Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church and Chris Stapleton, has launched a new production arm of the Nashville-based entertainment company, focused on film and television projects.
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UMG Nashville‘s Sing Me Back Home Productions will delve into the deep catalog of artists throughout UMG Nashville’s history, in addition to celebrating newly-discovered talent. The new production arm is led by UMG Nashville chair/CEO Cindy Mabe, as well as senior vp, digital business and creative development Dawn Gates. The new division will focus on developing content for documentaries, original scripted and unscripted television, feature films and short-form content. In addition, it will be heavily involved in securing production partners, music supervision and distribution.
“Country music has always been the home of the richest storytellers in music. Storytellers like Merle Haggard, whose song ‘Sing Me Back Home’ helped frame the intent and name behind our production company,” Mabe said in a statement. “Songs and stories can transport people and literally sing them back home no matter where they are in the world. Creating a new canvas for our storytellers to paint was a natural next step for our artists to talk to their fans in a new way. With several productions underway, this new endeavor fits prominently into what we are sustaining and building as a music company: roots, legacy, music discovery, and storytelling. We are finding faith, family, and heartland are at the core of our business and we are making sure we are building generational content for different mediums across a variety of platforms and shepherding it into the homes of our audience.”
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Sing Me Back Home Productions has teamed with ITV America’s Thinkfactory Media to develop and produce a docuseries that will follow the personal and professional lives of Grammy-nominated husband-and-wife duo, The War and Treaty‘s Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter. The docuseries will be helmed by Thinkfactory’s CEO and veteran producer Adam Reed. The docuseries is already in the works with a broadcast partner and is among the first of several projects in development through Sing Me Back Home’s broader collaboration with Thinkfactory Media.
Additionally, the Betsy Schechter-produced documentary Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive, will soon be released in partnership with Storyville Entertainment. The documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and won the best feature documentary award at La Femme Women’s International Film Festival in Los Angeles. Most recently, Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive won The Palm Springs International Film Festival audience award “best of fest.”
“Country music and its community of artists, past and present, offer such a vast and rich world to explore for content,” Reed said in a statement. “As Thinkfactory doubles down on work rooted in the Heartland, we’re incredibly bullish on the projects we’re developing with Sing Me Back Home, and we admire what Cindy and her group are building at a time when the genre and its hitmakers are flying higher than ever.”
“We are thrilled to have the expertise of Cindy, Dawn, and the Sing Me Back Home team to partner on producing ‘Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive,’” Schechter said in a statement. “Just like her iconic song ‘I Will Survive,’ Gloria’s life is equally inspirational and this film has the power to impact audiences around the world for years to come.”
The new production division is the latest expansive move for UMG Nashville, following the recent launches of Silver Wings Records, and the comedy division Capitol Comedy Nashville.
UMG Nashville has launched Silver Wings Records, a distribution arm and independent artist services, fueled by Virgin Music Group’s global distribution network. Silver Wings Records will create custom campaign services for independent artists, offering options for developing and enhancing campaigns. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news UMGN’s […]
If it’s Friday that means another spin around the Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music industry. As the newly retired Charles Martinet likes to say, Let’s-a-go:
BMG promoted Tony Abner to global general counsel and executive vp of business and legal affairs of the music company, often billed as the world’s fourth largest after the three majors. Based in Berlin and reporting to BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld, Abner manages the firm’s global legal teams and, as GC, advises senior management on all legal matters. Abner has been part of the BMG family since 2018, first as vp of business and legal affairs before adding an “s” to the title two years later. He was formerly based in Los Angeles before moving to Germany a year ago. Prior to BMG, he held executive posts at PMP Records and Loud Records, as well as senior attorney positions at Lenard & Gonzalez and Davis Shapiro Lewit Montone & Hayes.
Universal Music Group Nashville promoted Stephanie Alexa to svp of finance and operations, and Gary Keffer to vp of strategic marketing for the label group, which hems in Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville. Alexa has “transformed the finance department” during her five-year run as vp of finance, says UMGN evp and COO Mike Harris. Prior to joining Universal, she oversaw finance and business affairs at ATO Records. Keffer has over 20 years of experience in marketing, the seven with UMGN, where he and his team scour for ways to connect UMGN artists with brands, partners and wider audiences. Before pivoting to music, Keffer was director of media and partnerships at arms manufacturer Remington. “His expertise and attention to detail have ensured that our partners and artists are always supported for success,” glowed Lori Christian, the label group’s evp of marketing.
Mark Logsdon has been named vp of publicity at BMG Nashville, succeeding former vp of p Jay Jones, who exited earlier this year. Logsdon reports to evp of BMG Nashville JoJamie Hahr and in his new role, will lead the overall publicity strategy for BBR Music Group’s roster, including Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Dustin Lynch, Chase Rice and Parmalee, as well as guiding BMG Nashville’s corporate communications. Logsdon previously worked at PLA Media, where he began in 2007 as a coordinator and rose through the ranks over the past 16 years to a vice president role. Prior to PLA, his career included time at Sony, RLM/Mission Management, and the Atlantis Music Conference. During his career, Logsdon’s clients have included The Tina Turner Museum, the Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Warner/Chappell Production Music, RCA Studio A, Ingram Content Group, and artists including Tyler Williams, Michelle Wright and Lynn Anderson. –Jessica Nicholson
The Orchard hired music marketing mainstay Gita Williams as its new senior vp of artist and label services in the U.S., a role in which she’ll develop and market current roster artists — and sign future ones. She is based in Los Angeles and reports to Mary Ashley Johnson, evp of sales and artist and label services. Prior to joining the Sony-owned independent music distributor, Williams ran her own management and marketing firm, The Mehan Group, and before that held senior roles at Roc Nation, Epic Records, Interscope and RCA Records. “Gita’s experience in artist management and major label leadership roles will prove invaluable as we refine our Artist Services division and strive to achieve the best possible results for our clients,” noted Johnson. You can reach Williams at gita@theorchard.com.
John Dolak joined the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), where he leads all communication and PR efforts for the music-and-sound trade show. The UCLA alum spent 20 years at Sony Electronics, where he rose to vp and head of communications and, notably, was the point person for participation and activations at major trade shows like CES and NAB. Additionally, NAMM announced the creation of a Member Services team, which consolidates the membership, professional development and public affairs departments. Zach Phillips, previously NAMM’s director of professional development, will now become director of member services. Erin Block, formerly NAMM’s associate director of registration and analytics, has been promoted to associate director of membership. You can reach Dolak at johnd@namm.org.
The International Bluegrass Music Association selected Ken White as the organization’s next executive director. Beginning Oct. 2, White will take over for Paul Schiminger, who held the role for six years before retiring in 2021 — but who then returned in March after Pat Morris’ resignation for personal reasons. White’s bluegrass bonafides include decades of writing and performing the art form in venues including Grand Ole Opry, Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the IBMA World of Bluegrass. For the last 21 years, he has led the Howerton+White integrated marketing agency, building the business to over 40 clients. Over the years he has also served as president of the Wichita Jazz Festival and co-produced a popular season concert series at Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, Kansas. White will be returning to Nashville for the IBMA gig.
Sound Talent Group hired veterans Jon Pleeter and John Lashnits as talent agents at the five-year-old independent booking agency. The LA-based Pleeter joins STG after working as vp of concerts at ICM, while New Yorker Lashnits arrives from APA. Both have client rosters that lean on the rock side of life, including Saving Abel and Saliva for Pleeter, and Destroy Boys and The Wrecks for Lashnits. STG was formed in 2018 by former UTA agents Dave Shapiro, Tim Borror and Matt Andersen, and boasts a vast — and diverse — roster that includes Calle 13, Clutch, Gwar, Hanson, Hatebreed, Hoobastank, Pierce the Veil, Story of the Year, Vanessa Carlton and many more.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville promoted Kenley Flynn to vp of creative A&R, where Flynn will be responsible for signing and developing talent, as well as driving creative opportunities on behalf of Sony Music Publishing Nashville’s roster. During his tenure at the company, Flynn has helped propel the creative success of breakout talent including Nate Smith (“Whiskey On You”), Trannie Anderson (Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like A Truck”) and James McNair (Luke Combs’ “Going, Going, Gone”) as well as artists and writers including Madeline Merlo, David Morris, Tim Nichols, and Ben Hayslip. Flynn began his career at Combustion Music, before joining Sony in 2020 as senior director of creative A&R. “Kenley is a songwriter’s best friend,” said Josh Van Valkenburg, evp of creative at Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “Over the last few years, he’s been instrumental in building the careers of some of today’s biggest breakthrough hitmakers. This promotion is so well deserved.” –JN
Lauren Papapietro joined Warner Music Group as vp of communications for Rhino and Warner’s global catalog team. The 15-year PR veteran has the mighty task of helming publicity strategy campaigns for the catalogs of WMG/Rhino’s roster of icons, including one-namers like “Aretha,” “Frank,” “Sabbath,” “Otis,” “Madonna,” “Van,” “Halen” and… the list goes on. Pappapietro most recently served as head of publicity for Crush Music, where she worked with major acts, including WMG/Rhino artists Alanis Morissette and Green Day. Prior to that, she led publicity at Glassnote Entertainment Group. She is based in New York and reports to Kevin Gore, president of global catalog, recorded music at WMG.
ICYMI: Amazon Music’s head of hip-hop/R&B Tim Hinshaw is exiting the company to launch his own agency, Free Lunch … Recently photographed former president Donald Trump hired Gunna’s lawyer in his racketeering case in Atlanta … and longtime NPR programming executive Anya Grundmann is leaving the network after nearly 30 years.
SoundExchange said Tino Gagliardi, the newly elected president of the American Federation of Music, has joined its 18-seat Board of Directors. Gagliardi replaces recently retired AFM president Ray Hair on the board. “Tino is joining the SoundExchange Board of Directors at a pivotal time for the company and the music industry,” said Michael Huppe. “With his first-hand experience as an artist and expertise representing musicians for over 13 years, we couldn’t be more elated to welcome him to the board.”
Monument Records promoted Casey Thomas to director of marketing, publicity and creative. Additionally, Joel Beaver has been promoted to associate director of marketing. In her expanded role, Thomas will continue to oversee publicity and creative services, while taking on a more active role in marketing strategy, while Beaver will be responsible for marketing, brand partnerships, international and sync relations for the label’s roster which includes Alex Hall, Walker Hayes and Pillbox Patti. Thomas joined Monument from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2018, and she previously served at Monument as director of PR and creative. Beaver joined Monument in 2017 as an intern and became a staffer a year later. Beaver has been in the center of marketing campaigns across the artist roster, most notably with Hayes and the buzzy “Fancy Like” campaign for Applebee’s. –JN
Partisan Records promoted Bryant Kitching to global director of communications. Previously director of publicity in the U.S., Kitching joined Partisan in 2018 and over the years has overseen press campaigns across Partisan’s entire roster, including PJ Harvey, IDLES, Fontaines DC, Laura Marling, the Fela Kuti estate, Beth Orton and more. He is based in NYC.
Nashville Notes: Space Colonel bulked up its management division by adding Jesse Schuster, Chris Mueller and Evan Hunsberger to its team. The Nashville-based entertainment company, launched by Adam Barnes and J.R. Denson in 2019, represents over 15 artists and producers, including Shooter Jennings, Jason Boland and new signee Beau Bedford. Space Colonel also launches S || C Records and is gearing up for the release of Lillie Mae’s upcoming third studio album … Black River Publishing hired Sarah Hudspeth as creative coordinator. Hudspeth will provide support to vp of publishing Rebekah Gordon and assist the creative staff in the company’s day-to-day operations … The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hired R.J. Smith, a former editor for Los Angeles magazine and The Village Voice. The museum also promoted Sam Farahmand to director of creative content … Leo33 welcomed Tracy Gibson as director of promotion and marketing. She previously worked as Big Machine regional promotion director.
Universal Music Group Nashville has named Charlene Bryant as senior vp of business development & strategy.
Bryant brings with her a track record of experience and success in genres including country, Christian and hip-hop. The Ohio native and Belmont University graduate previously spent five years leading artist management company Riveter Management, which she founded in 2018. Bryant was named one of Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players in 2020 and 2021 and was part of CMT and mtheory’s inaugural equal access development program.
“Charlene has spent her career in artist development and learning to merge cultures of Christian, R&B, Hip-Hop and Country music,” says UMG Nashville chair & CEO Cindy Mabe. “She’s had success at major labels and independents, as well as success as an entrepreneur. As Universal Nashville is investing deeper to expand our growth in partnering in innovation with entrepreneurs, the independent label sector as well as our sister labels, Charlene is the perfect person to help merge those worlds and cultures to help build the next era of Universal Music Group Nashville. I could not be more excited to have Charlene Bryant help build our vision.”
UMG Nashville’s latest hire comes under the leadership of Mabe, who officially took the chair/CEO reins of the label in April. In a memo to UMG Nashville staffers at the time, Mabe laid out a vision for the company going forward. Among her plans are to “dramatically expand our partnerships with independent labels and entrepreneurs.” Mabe added, “Inspiration and new ideas are coming from everywhere. Much of that innovation is coming from the independent sector, but by the same token there is so much more they could do if they partnered with us in key areas. Universal Nashville will actively take a role to position ourselves as the best partners to expand their growth and help develop and support these artists.”
As Mabe continues to build the leadership team at UMG Nashville, the company is also pulling from other industry sectors. In May, Chelsea Blythe was appointed as executive vp of A&R for UMG Nashville. Blythe previously served as senior vp of A&R at Def Jam, leading A&R efforts for artists including Armani White and 26AR. Blythe also worked at Columbia Records, signing artists including Baby Keem and developing artists including The Kid LAROI.
In the memo to UMG Nashville staffers in April, Mabe said the company also aims to “collaborate even closer (and more creatively) with our label colleagues around the world where we can leverage each other’s strengths to break artists who are either signed to their rosters or ours. There’s so much more we can do together.”
As part of that work with UMG Nashville’s sister labels, the label also recently announced its partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group to release new music from Grammy-nominated artist Anne Wilson (“My Jesus,” “Sunday Sermons”).
UMG Nashville (UMGN) has named Chelsea Blythe executive vp of A&R. The executive has relocated to Nashville from Los Angeles. Blythe most recently served as senior vp of A&R at Def Jam, leading A&R efforts for Armani White, Anella Herim and 26AR. Blythe launched her music industry career as an A&R intern at Interscope Records […]
Three top Universal Music Group Nashville executives have exited their roles: executive vp of promotion Royce Risser, evp of A&R Brian Wright and senior vp of A&R Stephanie Wright, according to Country Aircheck. Representatives at UMG Nashville did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Risser was promoted to evp in 2018. He began his career as an intern at MCA Records in 1991 and climbed the ranks as director, NE regional promotion, then director of national promotion and vp of promotion before assuming the role of svp of promotion for UMG Nashville in 2007.
Stephanie Wright joined UMGN more than two decades ago and previously served as vp of A&R. During her tenure with the label, Wright worked with artists including Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt, and was instrumental in albums including Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park and Hunt’s Montevallo.
Brian Wright also joined UMGN over two decades ago and was promoted to his evp role in 2018 and worked closely on albums including Jamey Johnson’s Lonesome Song, George Strait’s Troubadour and Chris Stapleton’s Traveller and From A Room Vols. 1 and 2.
The exits of the Wrights — who are married — and Risser come as Cindy Mabe officially began her role as UMG Nashville chairman/CEO on April 1, following former UMGN chairman/CEO Mike Dungan‘s retirement. Mabe was named president of UMGN in 2014 and with her rise to chairman/CEO, she becomes the first woman to serve as chairman/CEO of a Nashville-based major label group.
Earlier this year, Katie Dean left UMG after a two-decade tenure with the company; Dean had led MCA Nashville’s promotion team since 2015. In 2022, UMG Nashville’s Rachel Fontenot exited her role as vp of marketing and artist development, while vp of marketing Brad Turcotte left UMG Nashville to become partner at 615 Leverage + Strategy.
Meanwhile, former Arista Nashville artist Brad Paisley recently signed a deal with UMG’s EMI Nashville imprint.