Kent Earls Promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager, Universal Music Publishing Group, Nashville

Kent Earls Promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager, Universal Music Publishing Group, Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Evan Lamberg, President, Universal Music Publishing Group, North America today announced the promotion of Kent Earls to Executive Vice President/General Manager, Universal Music Publishing Group, Nashville. Mr. Earls will preside over the company's country music publishing activities, reporting directly to Mr. Lamberg.

"Kent is one of the very best creative executives in Nashville with an exciting vision to grow and diversify our company's presence and appeal. His dedication to, and passion for, our songwriters and their songs is second to none. He has earned this great opportunity to lead Universal Music Publishing Nashville into the future and I look forward to working closely with him in the years to come," said Mr. Lamberg.

"I am eager to lead and grow one of the best songwriting rosters and creative teams in Nashville," said Mr. Earls. "Evan Lamberg's enthusiasm and commitment to make Universal the most creative and innovative music publishing home is inspiring and motivating. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about building on the great UMPG Nashville legacy, working tirelessly on behalf of our songwriters, and positioning the company for a robust future."

A Nashville native with 20 years of music publishing experience, Mr. Earls has been an instrumental part of the careers of numerous hit songwriters and artists including Rivers Rutherford (GRAMMY® nominated and ASCAP Songwriter of the Year); Luke Laird (co-writer of No. 1 singles with Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Sara Evans, and Eric Church); Billy Currington (GRAMMY nominated Mercury recording artist); Katrina Elam (co-writer of recent Rascal Flatts hit "Easy"); Andrew Dorff and Phillip White to name a few. Mr. Earls has placed multiple number one singles throughout his career such as the most recent and fastest rising No. 1 outing, "Take a Back Road," for Rodney Atkins and the 2002 ASCAP Song of the Year and 2001 Billboard Most Played Country Song, "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You" by Brooks and Dunn.

In his new role, Mr. Earls will oversee one of the hottest rosters in Nashville. With a prolific staff of current songwriters, UMPG Nashville continues to deliver hits for today's country music elite - Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to name a few. Artists of all genres seek to work with this versatile staff including Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Paulina Rubio, Ricky Martin, Il Divo, and Michael Buble. The UMPG Nashville catalog spans the entire chasm of the musical landscape: the 1940s Folk/Blues of the Delmore Brothers; the 1950s and 1960s classics of Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly; through the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, The Judds, Alabama and George Strait. It also includes country classics from Webb Pierce, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and Shania Twain. UMPG Nashville owns and administers many prominent catalogs including Bob McDill, Rivers Rutherford, Gary Burr, Pat Alger, Kent Robbins, Matraca Berg, Dickey Lee, Kostas, Troy Verges, Luke Laird, Marijohn Wilkin, John D. Loudermilk, Stephanie Bentley, David Lee, Craig Wiseman, Keith Urban and more.

Mr. Earls previously served as Senior Vice President, Creative for UMPG Nashville. Earls joined the company (then MCA Music Publishing) in 1997 as Associate Director of Creative Services and quickly rose through the ranks. Prior to that Mr. Earls worked for Affiliated Publishers, Inc and was a professional manager. Mr. Earls is a member of NARAS, the Country Music Association, and the Academy of Country Music and has a BS in Recording Industry Management.

About Universal Music Publishing Group

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the industry's leading global music publishing operation and is part of Universal Music Group. UMPG represents music in every genre from some of the world's hottest songwriters and catalogs including ABBA, Adele, Alex Da Kid, Lily Allen, Beach Boys, Beastie Boys, Leonard Bernstein, Justin Bieber, Bjork, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Desmond Child, Ciara, The Clash, Coldplay, Elvis Costello, The Cure, Daughtry, Ester Dean, Danny Elfman, Eminem, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Jackie Evancho, Juanes, Florence + The Machine, Kirk Franklin, Sean Garrett, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John/Bernie Taupin, Joy Division, R. Kelly, The Killers, BB King, Ari Levine of The Smeezingtons, Linkin Park, Webb Pierce, Henry Mancini, Maroon 5, Mumford + Sons, Prince, Pucinni, Otis Redding, Darius Rucker, Owl City, Sex Pistols, Gustavo Santaolalla, Paul Simon, Britney Spears, Tricky Stewart, 3 Doors Down, Mel Tillis, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain, U2, Keith Urban, Diane Warren, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Withers, among many others. UMPG is also a global leader in the areas of Production Music, Christian and Classical Music. For more information please visit http://www.umusicpub.com.

SOURCE Universal Music Publishing Group

Universal Music Publishing Group

CONTACT: Heather Brown, Vice President, Marketing & Communications of Universal Music Publishing Group, +1-310-235-4870, heather.brown@umusic.com

Web Site: http://www.umusicpub.com

-------
Profile: intent