STATE OF THE STATE: UMG NASHVILLE
A new era is well underway at UMGN, as chief Cindy Mabe and her team hit their stride. EVP/COO Mike Harris remains indispensable, while a raft of promotions and fresh hires underscores the companywide renovation: Lori Christian was upped to EVP of marketing; Rob Femia was elevated to EVP of biz & legal; and promo hitters Miranda McDonald, David Friedman and Chris Schuler got their VP stripes. Meanwhile, the splashy additions of Chelsea Blythe as EVP of A&R and Ami Brown as VP of international marketing demonstrated the company’s determination to make its mark well beyond the local ecosystem.
UMGN’s release slate has been vigorous, highlighted by Carrie Underwood’s 10th consecutive Top 10 bow with Denim & Rhinestones; Jon Pardi’s acclaimed fourth studio set, Mr. Saturday Night (ahead of a sold-out summer/fall tour); Little Big Town’s critically adored 10th full-length, Mr. Sun; and drops from Maddie & Tae, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, The War and Treaty, Kip Moore, Tyler Hubbard, Priscilla Block, Travis Denning, Dalton Dover, Luke Grimes, Caylee Hammack, Jon Langston, Kylie Morgan, Catie Offerman, Josh Ross, Boy Named Banjo and more.
Luke Bryan scored his 30th career #1 with “Country On.” Dierks Bentley notched his 22nd with “Gold.” Tyler Hubbard saw two cuts from his self-titled solo debut hit #1, the platinum “5 Foot 9” and the gold “Dancin’ in the Country.” Parker McCollum’s third #1, “Handle on You,” and current radio rocket “Burn It Down” have helped him sell 250k+ headlining tickets this year. On the heels of the NSAI and CMA Song of the Year monster “Buy Dirt,” Jordan Davis earned his fifth #1 with “What My World Spins Around,” following that up with the smash “Next Thing You Know.”
Then there’s The War and Treaty. This married duo of vocal firebrands blew minds when they performed at the ACMs as first-time Duo of the Year nominees.
Four-time Grammy nominee Mickey Guyton, for her part, wrapped an event-ful 2022 as TIME’s Breakout Artist of the Year, and has achieved a variety of high-profile looks. Her groundbreaking work continues to open doors for all country-music creators.
