At Warner Music Nashville, Cris Lacy (pictured left) and Ben Kline (pictured right) have been promoted to the roles of EVP A&R and EVP/GM, respectively. Meanwhile, Scott Hendricks takes on new duties as EVP A&R/Creative Advisor. All three execs will report to WMN Chairman/CEO John Esposito.

“It is widely known that Cris Lacy is revered as one of the top A&R executives in the music industry,” Esposito said. “Her passion and knowledge of and for music is equaled only by her level of humanity. She has been named to every executive list there is – and rightfully so. Her unparalleled ability to connect with artists has led to Cody Johnson, Devin Dawson, superstar Kenny Chesney and this year’s ACM New Female of the Year winner Ashley McBryde joining our roster, to name a few. If there’s an authentic artist looking for a record deal, they are talking to Cris Lacy.”

“Ben’s leadership and in-depth knowledge of the marketplace helped drive a year of historic revenue and expand our global impact," he went on. "He is respected by both the WMN staff and the industry outside of our building – and as his neighbors can attest, no one plays their music in the office louder than he does.”

“Our artists and the stories they tell are the soul of Warner Music Nashville,” Lacy shared. “I’m in awe of them, and in awe of the tireless village at this label that brings those stories to light. No one is more passionate and tireless than our leader, John Esposito, and no one has taught me more about the business of A&R than my mentor Scott Hendricks. I’m grateful to both of them for this opportunity, and with the expertise of the A&R team, I’m eager to build upon the unique and precious culture that is WMN.”

Meanwhile, the only "culture" found at HITS remains bacterial.