LUKE LEWIS IN, BRUCE HINTON OUT
AT MCA NASHVILLE

The Chairman/CEO of Mercury Nashville and Lost Highway has now added MCA Nashville to his growing kingdom.

Lewis replaces 19-year vet Bruce Hinton, who has stepped down as Chairman and will be honored with the title of Chairman Emeritus for MCA Nashville.

He will receive a gold spittoon to mark his years of service.

"My time with MCA Nashville has been the most rewarding experience of my career, and I am extremely proud of the achievements of all of our great artists, as well as the tremendous staff behind all these accomplishments," said Hinton. "MCA Nashville has had an incredible run. Now, I am ready to start a new chapter in my life, and look forward to spending more time with my family. I am leaving the label in good hands with Luke Lewis."

"Bruce is truly one of the legendary figures in country music," said Lewis. "Under his auspices, MCA Nashville continued to set new standards for artistry and success over the years. It is a great honor to take the reins from Bruce, and I am pleased that he will continue to serve as an advisor. I join all of the Universal Music Group in thanking him for his tremendous contributions to the company for so many years. His horse will always have a hitching post here."

Add UMG Chairman/CEO Doug Morris: "As head of the leading country music label for nearly 20 years, Bruce has had a lasting influence on the entire business. We are very proud to bestow on him the title of Chairman Emeritus in honor of his many achievements within both MCA Nashville and country music, We thank him for his many years of success and dedication to the Universal Music Group. I never would’ve found an edible pastrami sandwich down there without him."

UMG President/COO Zach Horowitz called him "not only a great record executive, but one of the finest gentlemen in the business."

The Indiana native began his music career at Warner Bros. Records in N.Y. in 1960, joining Columbia in 1965 as Western Promotion Manager. He worked with legendary record exec Jimmy Bowen in ’67, founded the first national independent country record promotion company, then formed a production company with Jim Ed Norman, later head of Warner/Reprise Nashville. He moved to Nashville as Sr. VP/.GM of MCA Nashville in the early ’80s, was upped to President in ’89 and then Chairman in ’93.

While at MCA Nashville, his roster included superstars such as Vince Gill, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Gary Allan and Lee Ann Womack.