Big News: Hunnicutt GM Of Big Machine
• Radio and record label veteran Clay Hunnicutt has been named General Manager of Big Machine Records and will oversee the imprint’s roster of artists, including Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Midland, Carly Pearce, The Cadillac Three, Noah Schnacky, Payton Smith, Lauren Jenkins and Dan Smalley. Hunnicutt succeeds Jim Weatherson, who will remain with the company during the transition and then act as consultant and synergy agent.
In making the announcement, Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta said, “I have worked with Clay Hunnicutt throughout my career on the radio side and record side. He is a consummate professional with a tireless work ethic and boundless creativity. He’s the perfect complement to our executive team and I’m sure he will turn great results.” Borchetta added, “I also want to thank Jim Weatherson who has been attached to the BMLG in one way or another since our inception. He helped to launch the groundbreaking Nash Icon label and then led Big Machine through a very successful leadership transition. Jim came to me a year ago to discuss his exit strategy and the timing of this announcement dovetails perfectly for what Jim wants to do. His DNA is imprinted at the label group.”
Hunnicutt most recently served as President and Partner of Nashville-based independent label Big Loud Records until early July. He previously spent 17 years with Clear Channel/iHeartMedia, joining the company in 1998 as RVP of Programming and later elevated to EVP of Programming. He famously made the transition from radio to records in June 2015, when he resigned as EVP/GM of iHeartMedia’s National Programming Platforms and joined Big Loud as its inaugural President. Hunnicutt currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association and the Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) and is a member of the 2005 Leadership Music Class.
Commenting on his new Big Machine adventure, Hunnicutt said, “Scott Borchetta and I have talked about working together for years and it’s exciting that we were finally able to put it together, especially during such a dynamic time for Big Machine. There’s an amazing team already in place and I can’t wait to jump in and see where we can take the Big Machine artists together.”
