The new branding is helmed by Mike Harris & Dave Cobb
UMG Nashville will now operate under the Music Corporation of America (MCA) banner. This name is intended to evoke “creativity, imagination, an honored legacy and the future of music.” The MCA name has historical significance as the former name of Universal Music Group itself until the 1990s. The rebranding marks a new chapter for UMG Nashville, building on its established success while looking towards the future of country music under a well-known and respected name.
The newly rebranded MCA will be led by President/CEO Mike Harris and Chief Creative Officer Dave Cobb. MCA will continue to oversee its existing frontline labels Mercury Nashville, EMI Nashville, Capitol Nashville, and MCA Nashville. Additionally, a new label founded by Cobb called Lucille Records has been launched under the MCA umbrella.
“With the popularity of country music and the tremendous impact that it continues to make in popular culture, we recognize the importance of Nashville and the impact it has always made in America,” shares Harris. “The incredible staff of these labels will operate with a sense of independence and autonomy, but with a pursuit of excellence and healthy competition as a shared agenda.”
“I want to let the art lead, embrace community, and approach the business with intention. We show up, work hard, and put artists, songwriters, community, and fans first. We want to get this right for them. That’s what this is all about,” Cobb adds.
Along with the rebrand, Katie McCartney has been appointed as EVP/General Manager, and Tom LaScola will head artist and audience strategy through an enhanced alliance with his firm, The Trenches. Songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon has also been named as a “Song Buddy” in a new initiative to support Nashville’s songwriting talent.
Artists under the MCA umbrella will have access to the resources of the Republic Collective in the U.S. and UMG globally.
MCA retains a roster that includes Alan Jackson, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block, Reba McEntire, Sam Hunt, Tyler Hubbard and Vince Gill.
Earlier this year, UMG Nashville relaunched Lost Highway Records. That imprint now moves outside of Nashville and will be supported by Interscope Geffen A&M. Harkening back to its roots, the relaunched Nashville-based label is committed to nurturing the creative vision of each artist and building their global connections with an intuitive, entrepreneurial approach. Founded in 2000 by Luke Lewis, Lost Highway became home to such culture-defining artists of the era as Kacey Musgraves; Willie Nelson; Ryan Bingham; Hayes Carll; Lucinda Williams; Drive-By Truckers; Lyle Lovett; Tift Merritt; Robert Earl Keen; Shelby Lynne; Elvis Costello; and Mary Gauthier. The label was absorbed into Mercury Nashville when Lewis retired in 2012.
