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BILL HEARN,
1959-2017

William Ray “Bill” Hearn, Chairman/CEO of the Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG), died Sunday in Nashville after a battle with cancer. He was 58.

Hearn was instrumental in the formation and leadership of CCMG, having played a leading role in the sale and transition of family-owned Sparrow Records to EMI in 1992. His father, Billy Ray Hearn, founded Sparrow.

Hearn became CEO of EMI Christian Music Group in 1996; the company was renamed Capitol Christian Music Group 2013. He led the company to unprecedented success by developing and maintaining its vision to impact popular culture with culturally relevant music from a biblical worldview, appealing to both faith-based and mainstream audiences.

Through acquisitions over the past 20 years, CCMG comprises a label group (Sparrow Records, ForeFront Records, sixstepsrecords, Hillsong, Jesus Culture) and Motown Gospel and CCMG Publishing, which includes Brentwood-Benson Music Publications. Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, TobyMac, Hillsong United and Tye Tribbett are among the artists who record for CCMG-owned labels.

“Bill Hearn led Capitol Christian Music Group like the family business it is: with his unique passionate and mission-driven leadership,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group. “Anyone who has walked through the doors there knows that it overflows with a special spirit that emanated from Bill himself. That spirit and the people of CCMG are among Bill’s great legacies. We are privileged to have known Bill, and especially blessed to call him a colleague and friend.”

Artists associated with Hearn have earned more than 200 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum album and video certifications, 40 Grammy Awards, 40 Stellar Awards and 235 Dove Awards.

Capitol Music Group Chairman Steve Barnett said, “Bill was more than a colleague; he was a friend to all of us and a dedicated leader and mentor for so many within our company. His remarkable accomplishments and contributions to music will forever remain an important part of CMG’s legacy, and, most important, we will forever remember his generous spirit and sense of humanity in our hearts.”

Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman/CEO Jody Gerson stated, “A wonderful partner to UMPG, his ability to run his company was second to none and he did it with the utmost integrity and skill. Above all else, Bill will be remembered as a tremendous human being and friend to everyone that knew him.”

Hearn received two Grammy Awards for his role as Compilation Producer for Amazing Grace, A Country Salute To Gospel and Oh Happy Day: A Gospel Music Celebration. The Recording Academy presented him with the President’s Merit Award in 2006.

Hearn also received the TJ Martell Foundation’s Frances Preston Lifetime Music Industry Achievement Award in 2015.

A past National Chairman, National Board and Executive Committee Member of the T.J. Martell Foundation, he served as President of the Gospel Music Trust Fund, was a past National Trustee, Nashville chapter Vice President and board member of The Recording Academy.

Recording Academy boss Neil Portnow released the following statement:

We are deeply saddened by the passing of music business veteran and former Recording Academy Trustee, Bill Hearn. Following in the footsteps of his late father Billy Ray, Hearn played an essential role in the formation of the renowned Christian music company—Capitol Christian Music Group. His producing efforts earned him two Grammys during his career, first for 1995 for his contributions to Amazing GraceA Country Salute To Gospel and again for 2009 for his work on the collection Oh Happy Day. Hearn will not only be remembered for his impressive list of achievements, but for his philanthropic efforts, kind spirit, and commitment to his craft. Our thoughts go out to Bill’s family, friends, and colleagues as they look to find comfort during this difficult time.

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