AT WARNER NASHVILLE
Ben Kline and Cris Lacy have been promoted to Co-Presidents of Warner Music Nashville taking the leadership reins from Chairman & CEO John Esposito, who will transition to Chairman Emeritus next year.
Kline, currently EVP & General Manager, joined the label in 2014 as VP of Revenue, becoming SVP of Global Revenue & Touring in 2017. He was upped to EVP/General Manager—overseeing radio & streaming, artist development, touring, and international—in 2019. Lacy, who started in publishing, joined Warner Nashville in 2005, was upped to SVP of A&R in 2017 and her current position of EVP of A&R two years later.
“Under Espo’s brilliant guidance over the past 13 years, our Nashville team has built superstar careers, attracted original new voices, innovated in the digital world, and championed the creative community,” said Max Lousada, Global CEO, Warner Recorded Music. “I’ve no doubt Cris and Ben will grow and evolve our artist-first philosophy with ingenuity, skill, and style. In the streaming era, country music is increasingly becoming global music, and Ben and Cris make a dynamic duo to lead our pioneering Nashville label into the future. And I’m pleased we’ll continue to have the benefit of Espo’s sage advice and wide-ranging industry relationships.”
