DUNGAN IS UMG'S MAN IN NASHVILLE

Mike Dungan has been appointed Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Nashville Entertainment, succeeding Luke Lewis, who will launch a new music venture in partnership with UMG in the near future.

Dungan will begin with UMG on May 1, at which time he'll take over for Lewis, who will remain at the company until then.

The announcement was made today by UMG Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge and President/COO Zach Horowitz, both wearing 12-gallon cowboy hats.

“UMG is committed to expanding opportunities for artists on Music Row and Mike’s appointment is testament to that fact,” said Grainge. “He is one of music’s most formidable creative executives, whose determination, talent and passion for music have given rise to the careers of countless superstar artists. We’re delighted to welcome him to the UMG family.”

"I am thrilled to join the Universal team, honored to represent the fine roster of artists under the storied MCA, Mercury and Lost Highway labels, and proud to have the opportunity to expand on the great legacy that Luke Lewis has built," added Dungan.

“Mike is one of the best music executives in the business, with a great eye for talent, great ear for songs and great instincts for artist development," commented Horowitz. "We’re thrilled he has chosen to make UMG his home.”

Grainge praised Lewis' "long successful tenure" at the company's Nashville family of labels. “Luke has been a bold maverick in applying fresh new approaches to nurture and break country artists,” he said. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with him.”

Dungan joins UMG after proving one of the leading executives in broadening country music'a appeal while President/CEO of Capitol Nashville, where his roster included Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Trace Adkins, which will become part of UMG after the expected close of their acqusition of EMI.

Dungan joined Capitol from Arista Records, where he held a number of positions, including SVP/GM for Arista Nashville, where he was instrumental in developing the careers of Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis, Diamond Rio, the Tractors and BlackHawk. Prior to that, he held a variety of promotion, sales, and marketing positions with Arista, RCA Records and BMG Distribution.