ESPO A GO-GO

Industry lips are flapping about the continuing growth of John Esposito's Warner Music Nashville, which was a significant contributor to WMG's 2015 marketshare. The company's power hitters include a pair of double Grammy nominees in Blake Shelton and Ashley Monroe, along with breakout writer/artist Cole Swindell, whose 2014 debut album has yielded five Top 10 country singles, led by the chart-topping "Chillin' It" and the #3 "Ain't Worth the Whiskey." Espo and his team are prepping an intriguing 2016 rollout that will include Frankie Ballard, whose previous Warner album peaked at #5, and buzzing recent signings The Last Bandoleros.