UMG Nashville Chief Mike Dungan Retiring
• Universal Music Group (UMG) announced that Mike Dungan, who has served as Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville since 2012, will step down from his position in March 2023.
In making the announcement, Dungan said, “For 43 years the music business has been my home — smiling, dialing, selling, hustling, laughing, doing my part to help the art and magic realize its potential. And loving every minute of it. I’ve lived a charmed life, and there are no words to describe how grateful I am, and how blessed I feel, for everyone that I have encountered along the way. I’m also proud to boast that through it all, with little exception, I have been ‘all-in’ as a competitor and as a friend.”
Dungan’s memo continues: “The solemn truth is that over time, that intensity takes its toll, and a lot of the dog has been knocked out of me. By the time I leave here I will be 69 years old. It is time to slow down… I look forward to devoting more time to my family and to my garden. I have an incredible wife who has put up with my nonsense for 45 years. We have two great kids who have two great wives of their own. And we have five wonderful grandkids who I intend to spoil to the fullest.”
In closing, Dungan said, “I am forever grateful to Sir Lucian Grainge, who 11 years ago handed me the keys to the best job in the world. To him and to everyone at UMG, to all of those who have been my family-in-arms now and in the past, to all those creators whose art it has been my pleasure to represent.” He added, “I am at a loss to express my love and gratitude. I am the luckiest man alive.”
After stepping down from his role, Dungan will serve as an advisor to UMG Chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, who noted, “Mike is a unique force. He has had an incredible impact on the careers and well-being of so many in Nashville through the years — from artists to employees. After a brilliant four decades in Nashville, and with our team they are well-positioned for continued strength, Mike is making an admirable and well-deserved life change. And while he won’t be serving in his CEO capacity, I’ve asked him to continue to contribute to areas that we’re both passionate about—breaking genre barriers and delivering critical support to artists past and present. I am deeply grateful to Mike for all he has done for our company and our artists and congratulate him on his unprecedented career success. I’m so pleased we will continue to have the benefit of his experience, deep relationships and wisdom.”
Dungan first got his foot in the music business at the age of 16, doing odd jobs in a Cincinnati record store… and the rest is history. In 2000, Dungan was named President of Capitol Nashville, where for 12 years he led the label to unprecedented success. In 2012, Dungan joined UMG as Chairman & CEO of its Nashville division, which included the reintegration of Capitol Nashville into its ranks, following UMG’s purchase of EMI Records.
Further announcements regarding Dungan’s successor will follow at a later date, although conventional wisdom holds that Dungan will be succeeded by his longtime second-in-command, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe. [Photo credit: Eric Adkins / UMG]
