Cris Lacy Takes Charge as President of Rebranded Warner Records Nashville

Cris Lacy Takes Charge at Warner Records Nashville

Cris Lacy, a seasoned executive with two decades of experience at Warner Music Nashville, has been named Chair and President of the newly rebranded Warner Records Nashville. In this pivotal role, she reports directly to Aaron Bay-Schuck, CEO and Co-Chairman, and Tom Corson, COO and Co-Chairman of the Warner Records Group. This appointment marks a significant step in the expansion of the Warner Records Group and reestablishes Nashville as a core component of their global strategy.

The transition from Warner Music Nashville to Warner Records Nashville signifies a shift towards a more unified structure that aligns country music with broader global trends. It's a strategic move aimed at enhancing the label’s cultural impact and expanding its reach within the industry. The initiative seeks to establish deeper connections between Nashville and the wider Warner Records Group, ultimately benefiting the artists both locally and globally.

The former Co-Chair and Co-President of Warner Music Nashville, Gregg Nadel, is slated to shift into a new leadership role within the Warner Music Group, details of which will be announced soon. This rebranding effort follows the integration of Warner Music Nashville under the Warner Records umbrella back in September 2024, highlighting the company's commitment to evolving its identity in a rapidly changing music landscape.

Lacy, who previously served as co-head of Warner Music Nashville, has garnered respect throughout the industry for her vision and dedication to the craft. Her leadership is expected to usher in a new era characterized by innovation and collaboration. She expressed her excitement about this pivotal role, emphasizing Nashville's legacy as a hotbed of storytelling and musicianship and its expanding influence across various music genres.

"Nashville has always been synonymous with exceptional storytelling, expertly crafted lyrics, and incomparable musicianship. Its growing influence is permeating other genres, and is increasingly found front and center on the world stage," Lacy stated.

This formal rebranding serves to solidify the cross-collaboration that has been organically developing between Nashville and the Los Angeles operations of Warner Records. Teams united across areas such as Artist Relations, marketing strategy, and radio promotion are anticipated to foster a more dynamic environment for artists and their work. As Lacy highlighted, "Warner Records is a powerful brand, and we know that we're stronger when we work together to propel our artists and their life's work to new heights."

The scope of Warner Records Group now encompasses various labels, including Warner Records US, Warner Records UK, and the newly branded Warner Records Nashville. The diverse roster features a mix of both emerging talents and established artists, including the likes of Zach Bryan, Kenny Chesney, and Ashley McBryde, among others.

Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson expressed their confidence in Lacy's leadership, noting, "This rebrand marks an exciting new era for our flagship Nashville label — one that builds on everything that already makes it so special, guided by Cris' extraordinary leadership. Her passion, vision, and unwavering respect for artistry define the label's spirit and have earned the trust of the Nashville community."

This next chapter of Warner Records Nashville is poised to amplify its competitive edge in the music industry, ensuring that the label continues to thrive within the country music genre while expanding artist opportunities and pushing the boundaries of success.

As the music landscape continues to evolve, the rebranding of Warner Records Nashville under Cris Lacy's guidance is not merely a change in title, but a promise of growth, innovation, and strengthened connections in the global music community.