Universal Music Group has retooled the leadership of its Nashville operations, with Mike Harris to serve as president and CEO and Dave Cobb to assume the role of chief creative officer.Â
The news comes on the heels of media reporting Thursday that Cindy Mabe had left as chair and CEO of UMG Nashville after two years in the position and more than 18 with the company. The company thanked Mabe for her leadership in a press release.Â
Harris has been promoted after serving most recently as executive vice president and COO for the company. He joined UMG in 2013 and moved to the Nashville arm in 2016. However, Harris announced he would leave the company in September to pursue other opportunities, but ultimately returned.Â
"I moved to Nashville because it felt like, 'This is where music is,'" says Dave Cobb from the control room of Low Country Sound
Cobb is a nine-time Grammy award winner for his production work, including most recently for Best Americana Album in 2023 for Brandi Carlisle’s In These Silent Days.
The industry heavyweight is known for his work with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell and Carlisle, along with Mumford & Sons, Zayn, Greta Van Fleet, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Teddy Swims, Stevie Nicks, Rival Sons and Zach Bryan, among others. He has also worked in the film industry, including on Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and 2018's A Star Is Born, and is involved in a forthcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic starring Jeremy Allen White.
“We see an incredible opportunity to expand our presence in Nashville and build upon our industry-leading track record,” Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of UMG, says in a release. “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.”
The announcement comes as Universal Music Group is planning a $250 million film and music studio campus in Berry Hill.Â
In addition, fellow major label Sony Music Nashville named Taylor Lindsey to the role of chairman and CEO in November. Warner/Chappell Nashville President and CEO Ben Vaughn died at the age of 49 at the end of January.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
