UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP REORGANIZES NASHVILLE OPERATIONS 

Mike Harris Appointed President and CEO UMG Nashville 

Dave Cobb Appointed Chief Creative Officer UMG Nashville

SANTA MONICA, February 06, 2025—In recognition of the growing global influence of country music as well as the rapid evolution of the genre as a multifaceted artform, Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music entertainment company and the U.S. leader in country music for a decade announced a reorganization of its Nashville-based operations to enhance its position as the premiere home for country artists.

Highly respected Music Row executive Mike Harris, who served as COO, EVP of UMG Nashville, has been appointed CEO. Dave Cobb, a nine-time Grammy Award winning producer who has had significant influence on the sound of Music City, has been appointed Chief Creative Officer.

In making the announcement, Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG said, “We see an incredible opportunity to expand our presence in Nashville and build upon our industry leading track record. The worldwide success of our country artists demonstrate that the genre truly has no boundaries and I’m excited for what lies ahead creatively and commercially.”

Cindy Mabe, Chair and CEO of UMG Nashville, is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities.

Grainge added, “I want to thank Cindy Mabe for all her contributions to our Nashville company.  She leaves UMG with our gratitude and respect.”

Harris said, “I am humbled to have been asked by Sir Lucian to lead UMG Nashville at such an important and exciting time in country music.  I also look forward to working closely with Dave Cobb, the amazing roster of artists and my friends at UMG Nashville.”

Cobb said, “I am incredibly excited to work with Mike Harris, I’m here to honor the past, and look to the future.”

Harris joined UMG Nashville as EVP, COO in 2016, after fifteen years at EMI, where he held various positions including, most recently, EVP GM for Caroline, a division of the Capitol Music Group/EMI.

Dave Cobb is one of Music City’s most in-demand collaborators, regardless of genre, and has worked with and produced countless acclaimed artists and albums including Chris Stapleton’s 6x-platinum Traveller, Jason Isbell’s Southeastern and Brandi Carlile’s By The Way I Forgive You. His recent works include albums for Mumford & Sons, Red Clay Strays, Zayn, Greta Van Fleet, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire and music for Deliver Me From Nowhere, the forthcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic, adding to his illustrious and diverse discography featuring Barry Gibb, The Highwomen, Slash, Marcus King, Teddy Swims, Stevie Nicks, Whiskey Myers, Zach Bryan, Colter Wall and many more.

Cobb’s interest in the intersection of film and music led him to become a go-to film music producer and creative consultant working on Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS, the Jessica Chastain’s Eyes Of Tammy Faye, Hunger Games prequel Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, and the 2018 remake of A Star Is Born, producing Lady Gaga’s Grammy-winning showstopper “Always Remember Us This Way.”

Photo: L: Mike Harris, R: Dave Cobb

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