Capitol Launches Capitol Music Group Nashville
• Capitol Music Group is consolidating its Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) and Country division Capitol Records Nashville under the Capitol Music Group Nashville banner, fortifying its commitment to the Music City as a key creative and commercial hub for the label group.
Located in the emerging Wedgewood Houston area of Nashville, Capitol Music Group Nashville features 40,000 square feet of office space which includes state-of-the-art recording studios, a live performance space and creative content studios. As Capitol Nashville builds locally, it will have the full support of the Capitol Tower in Los Angeles for all label services.
The company has tapped Candice Watkins to serve as President of Capitol Records Nashville and Executive Vice President of Capitol Christian Music Group. Watkins most recently served as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Big Loud Records, overseeing the label’s Marketing, Digital, Creative, PR and Streaming departments. Prior to Big Loud, Watkins worked in Marketing and Artist Development at Universal Music Group Nashville, and held positions at Red Light Management, Mozes Inc., Borman Entertainment and Cross Point Church. She also serves on the boards of CMA and ACM.
“This new structure will empower our Nashville executives to better serve the incredible artists on our roster. Candice is a brilliant music marketing executive who has an amazing track record in developing career artists,” said John Janick, Chairman of Interscope Capitol. “Having her lead our Country music business in Nashville and also add her extensive artist development expertise to our CCMG team is going to be great for our artists and for the entire executive team.”
“This reorganization reflects our commitment to growing our Nashville operations as a core creative hub in Christian, Gospel and Country music,” said Capitol Music Group CEO, Tom March. “We’re looking forward to signing and developing the next generation of Country artists on Capitol Records Nashville and are thrilled to have an executive of the caliber of Candice Watkins to lead our ambitious plans in Country music while also bringing her expertise to our gospel and Christian music operations.”
Watkins commented, “It’s a true honor to step into the role of President of Capitol Records Nashville and EVP of Capitol Christian. These labels have a rich legacy in partnering with some of the most brilliant artists of our industry and I look forward to contributing to its continued success and cultural impact. Excited to collaborate with John, Tom, Lillia [Parsa] and Brad in boldly championing creatives and visionaries.”
Capitol Christian Music Group, which includes Motown Gospel and Tamla and distribution operations, will continue to be led by its longtime President Brad O’Donnell, who continues to report to Tom March. Artists previously signed to Capitol Records Nashville will remain at the newly formed Music Corporation of America (MCA) Nashville label. [Photo by Cedrick Jones]
