LIONEL PULLS INTO VIRGIN STATION

In long-rumored and now official news, veteran Urban music executive Lionel Ridenour “Daily Bread” has been appointed Executive Vice President Urban Music for Virgin Records by label President/COO Roy “They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking” Lott.

The move significantly solidifies Virgin’s Urban music presence, with Ridenour taking responsibility for all marketing and promotion functions associated with the label’s Urban music roster, which now includes Janet Jackson, D’Angelo, N.E.R.D., Dwele, Ruff Ryders artists Drag-On and Jin, Gang Starr, Beenie Man, J1 and Montebello Records artist Federation. He also plans to set up a model train set on the big table in the label conference room.

Ridenour will report to Lott, while working closely with L.A.-based Sr. VP A&R “Big Jon” Platt “Inum Blonde” and VP A&R Peter Farmer “In the Dell.”

“I’m looking forward to this great opportunity to broaden and strengthen Virgin’s Urban music presence,” said Ridenour. “I have great respect for all of the talented artists and executives at the label and am glad to have this chance to work with them all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to explain the meaning of ‘in the heezy’ to Roy.”

Commented Virgin Chairman/CEO Matt Serletic: “I’m very excited to welcome Lionel to Virgin. He brings an incredibly successful background in Urban music to the table and is one of the best executives and promotion men in the business. And I can’t believe the dude’s bling-bling.”

Added Lott: “Having worked with Lionel in the past, I know he’s a man who’s all about results. His talents and wide-ranging relationships will take our Urban music roster to new heights. Can I say he’s the shiznet? I didn’t think so.”

Ridenour comes to Virgin from Arista Records, where he spent 10 years, eventually rising to Exec. Vice President. Prior to that, he held various management positions at Capitol and indie Mainframe Records.