WARNER NASHVILLE MOVES: WHAT'S AHEAD

Sources confirm what many insiders have known for months: That reports regarding the “succession plan” for Warner Music Nashville are largely accurate, with John Esposito slated to transition to Chairman Emeritus and the day-to-day leadership of the company moving to EVP/GM Ben Kline and VP A&R Cris Lacy. These same sources say the timeline of these changes is still being determined, however.

They also underscore that Espo’s role as Chairman Emeritus will continue to be fundamental, given his strategic acumen and close relationships with the label’s starry roster. Espo, who took the reins in 2009, refashioned WMN as a modern country label, aggressively restructuring it for the streaming age, and he has for several years cultivated Kline and Lacy, among other key team members, to build on the creative foundation he has established and continue to modernize the group’s approach to radio and streaming services.