Warner Music Group mainstay Gregg Nadel has been appointed co-chair and co-president of Warner Music Nashville and will work alongside Cris Lacy, who’s been co-head of WMN for the past two years. Nadel succeeds Ben Kline, who is stepping down following a decade with the company.
The changes follow the recent move to bring Warner Music Nashville under the Warner Records umbrella.
Based in Nashville, Nadel and Lacy will report to Warner Records CEO & co-chairman Aaron Bay-Schuck and COO & co-chairman Tom Corson, who report direct to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl, effective Oct. 1. Lacy, Nadel, and their team will continue to work with Nashville artists co-signed with Atlantic Music Group.
Over the course of nearly three decades, Nadel, who most recently served as president of Elektra Entertainment, has signed and/or championed artists including Zac Brown Band, Brandi Carlile, The Highwomen, Sturgill Simpson, Bailey Zimmerman and Brittney Spencer, as well as many other artists across multiple genres.
Prior to being named president of Elektra Entertainment in 2017, Nadel served as general manager of Elektra Records and before that was senior vp of A&R and marketing for Atlantic Records. A 27-year veteran of WMG, Nadel joined Atlantic directly out of college in 1997. He has led campaigns for global artists such as Ed Sheeran, who he’s worked with since the early days of Sheeran’s career. Nadel has been named to Billboard’s Power 100 list multiple times, and, this year, was honored as a Country Power Player.
Bay-Schuck and Corson said in a statement, “Gregg grew up at WMG, and over the past three decades, he’s brought his impeccable taste, wisdom, and guidance to an exceptional array of original, powerful voices. He’s an ambidextrous A&R and marketing expert with a global perspective, which will be a tremendous asset at a time when Nashville artists are crossing boundaries and reaching the world stage like never before. Like Gregg, Cris has expanded from her roots as an A&R force into a true multi-dimensional leader, and together, they’ll be a phenomenal team to take Warner Music Nashville into a dynamic future.”
Bay-Schuck and Corson added, “We’d also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ben Kline. Over his past decade with WMN, his tireless passion for the label’s artists and team has set the company up for continued, expanding success. He leaves with our deepest admiration and best wishes for his next chapter.”
Nadel said, “I’ve had the honor of working with incredibly talented artists across many sounds and styles, and through it all, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the heartfelt music that comes from Nashville’s rich creative culture. I’m excited to be diving deeper into this brilliant community of musicians and storytellers, and I’m especially excited about working alongside Cris Lacy and the entire team. Thank you to Tom and Aaron for this incredible opportunity.”
Lacy noted, “Thanks to WMG’s cross-label and cross-genre philosophy, Gregg and I have been collaborating within the company for over a decade. We’re both rooted in a deep love of the music that comes into and out of Nashville. Gregg brings a unique, wide-ranging perspective to what will be a fantastic partnership. He has long invested in the culture and the community of this town, and together, we are fiercely committed to amplifying what makes its music so special. My heartfelt thanks and admiration go out to Ben. It’s been a great ride, and his expertise, leadership, and friendship have made it all the more gratifying. I wish him the very best in all things to come.”
Kline said, “Together, we’ve grown Warner Music Nashville to new heights and played vital roles in the development of so many artists. Thanks to WMG leadership for all of the opportunities, faith, and guidance along the way. And thank you to Cris Lacy for her never-wavering support for the artists and their musical visions. I’m excited for the next adventure.”
