Introducing RECORDS Nashville
• RECORDS, the music company started by veteran executive Barry Weiss — a joint venture with Sony Music — is opening a Nashville branch this month. Ash Bowers, a successful Nashville-based music manager, songwriter, producer and former Stoney Creek recording artist has been named President of RECORDS Nashville, marking his inaugural position as a music label executive. Bowers (left) is also the co-founder of Wide Open Music, an artist management company that represents Jimmie Allen and RECORDS’ flagship artist Matt Stell.
Bowers commented, “We’re already stocked with talented artists, a killer promotion team and a legendary record guy at the helm with Barry Weiss — how great is that? I’m very excited about what we can build here in Nashville and the unique, authentic talent in Country music and beyond to be discovered.” RECORDS Partner/co-founder Barry Weiss commented, “Ash has experienced success in all aspects of the music business as an artist, producer, manager and songwriter. And while the role of label President may seem like a new title for him, there’s no one more fit to carry forth our fierce independent spirit and build upon RECORDS’ success in this market.”
Augmenting the new RECORDS Nashville team are two seasoned radio promotion pros — Jamice Jennings and Andy Elliott, who have been named co-Heads of Promotion. Jennings (left), who started her career at Big Machine Label Group, most recently served as VP of Promotion at in2une Nashville. Elliott (center) was most recently VP of Promotion for Garth Brooks‘ Pearl Records. His career also includes stops at Curb Records and Arista Nashville.
Keith Gale (right) of Good Company Entertainment will be a consultant to the label. Keith and his team have already been a part of the team supporting Matt Stell and rising star Chris Bandi. RECORDS Nashville is also home to singer/songwriter and former Miss Arizona Jennifer Smestad, whose hit “Half the Man” reached #3 on the iTunes Country chart and #7 on the Top Ten list. The RECORDS roster also includes three exciting new artists prepping for their debuts: Lathan Warlick, Chase Martin and Dylan Brady.
