HEE HAW!: SOUTHERN COMFORT
FOR BROWN, DUBOIS

You still can't get a good pastrami sandwich in Nashville, but it does seem to be a fertile ground for new labels, with the successful recent debut of Luke Lewis' Lost Highway last year.

In the latest move, which had been expected, veteran execs Tony Brown and Tim DuBois have launched Nashville-based Universal South,what they describe as "the city's first full-service, major startup label in over a decade." The label will operate as a joint venture with Universal Records and will offer cut-rate airline discounts to Nashville.

In launching the company, Brown, who currently serves as President of MCA Nashville, will resign his present duties to focus solely on developing the new label with DuBois, former President of Arista Nashville, which he launched in 1989 and ran until it merged with RCA Label Group two years ago.

Universal South will not be limited to any one genre of music and will receive marketing, sales, promotion and publicity support services from Universal, the company said.

"Tony's remarkable achievements at MCA and Tim's unprecedented success in creating Arista Nashville clearly define creative leadership at its very best," said Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group. "Their determination, talent and passion for music have not only defined their extraordinary careers, but have given form to the careers of countless superstar artists. Tony and Tim are true pioneers in every sense of the word; who else would start a new label when so many on Music Row are sadly closing? We are thrilled to be working with them on this exciting new venture and have no doubt that together, they will make a formidable and very successful team. Now when do I get to meet Minnie Pearl? Whaddaya mean she's dead?"

Universal Records President Monte Lipman added: "Both Tony and Tim possess the rare vision and genius to not only make great records, but to build a home for truly inventive, highly creative artists. And maybe we can even get Garth Brooks to cover 'Tubthumping' while we're at it."

"I am eager to be moving into the next phase of my career and doing it alongside Tim and the entire Universal South team," commented Brown. "Working with [MCA Nashville Chairman] Bruce Hinton and everyone at MCA has been, without a doubt, one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. I've formed close working relationships with people whom I have grown to love and respect. I now look forward to the next set of challenges, and I am very grateful to Doug and Zach Horowitz (President & COO, Universal Music Group) for the privilege to start Universal South. But I draw the line at seeing Fred Durst in a cowboy hat."

Said DuBois: "The unique opportunity to partner with Tony in establishing a new leader in the industry is enormously exciting to me. What attracted us most to Universal Records was the great enthusiasm, aggressive energy and respect for our vision that Monte and his staff displayed. With their help we plan to build a company that will attract talent not only from mainstream country but other genres as well—one with a small company feel but big company muscle. I haven't been this excited since you guys coined the term 'neobilly.'"

Brown, who joined MCA Nashville in 1984 and was named President of the label in 1993, has worked with such musical acts as Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, Marty Stuart and Rodney Crowell. He has also inked genre-bending artists including Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely, Kelly Willis and the Mavericks.

As President of Arista Nashville, DuBois discovered and developed Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Diamond Rio, Pam Tillis, Brad Paisley and Lee Roy Parnell, among many others. DuBois also launched Arista Austin with critically acclaimed artist Robert Earl Keen.

Universal South's initial releases include Allison Moorer, Dean Miller, Bering Strait and Holly Lamar, all of whom Brown originally signed to MCA Nashville.

Van Fletcher, former Executive VP/GM of Virgin Records in Nashville, will head Universal South's marketing and sales. Other executives will be named shortly.