Caroline And Executive John Grady Announce Formation Of I.R.S. Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Caroline, the independent services division of Capitol Music Group, and highly-respected Nashville-based music executive John Grady, announced today the formation of I.R.S. Nashville.  As the President of the label, Grady will position the company as a truly independent and viable home for artists, not only in country music but in the many genres of music that thrive in Nashville.  Fulfilling his vision for the label, Grady will launch I.R.S. Nashville with a select slate of releases from innovative artists, helping them achieve success, while empowering them with the freedom to pursue their artistic visions.  I.R.S. will be based in Nashville.

Initial I.R.S. Nashville artist signings include Striking Matches -- a young duo whose musicianship and songwriting have already a following in Nashville and on numerous national stages, as well as the posthumous release from music legend Cowboy Jack Clement, who recorded throughout the early part of this year and whose final album – featuring guest appearances from Vince Gill, John Prine, EmmyLou Harris and many others -- is being produced by Dave Ferguson and Executive Produced by T Bone Burnett.

I.R.S. Nashville will provide dedicated A&R and marketing resources for its artists and will integrate its efforts with those of the newly expanded Caroline, which will primarily provide commercial support, radio promotion and licensing resources to the label.

Concurrent with his new role as President of I.R.S. Nashville, Grady will continue as a partner at Crush Management, representing Warner Brothers recording artist Ashley Monroe, Sony Recording artist Kristen Kelly and the previously mentioned Striking Matches.

Upon making this announcement, Grady commented, "I have been thinking about getting back into the record business for the last couple of years, and have been waiting for the right opportunity.  Dominic and Steve share my optimism for the opportunities that await great artists, and prefer to focus on the positive instead of bemoaning the challenges we all face.  Artists need to continue to create, and they need a home to create in. We plan to give them one with I.R.S. Nashville and thrive in the years to come."

Pandiscia added, "Nashville is home to one of the most vibrant and exciting music communities in the world, and John Grady is the perfect executive to tap into that world and attract the best independent artists to I.R.S. Nashville.  With his diverse background and decades of experience in music – both on the label side and as an artist manager – I.R.S. Nashville could not be in better hands.  We look forward to partnering with John and the label on a lot of great music in the years to come."

Capitol Music Group Executive Vice President Michelle Jubelirer stated, "Nashville is the home to great music, and it's both vital and overdue for Caroline to have a presence there.  The company couldn't ask for a better partner than John Grady, who is such a highly-respected executive; he is clearly passionate about music and skilled in artist development and achieving long-term careers.  All of us at CMG welcome John and I.R.S. Nashville to the family and pledge our strong support for their success."

John Grady is a 38-year music business veteran whose career success spans many musical genres.  He has been based in Nashville for the past 20 years, helping to jump start the careers of Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Ralph Stanley, Gretchen Wilson, Miranda Lambert and Montgomery Gentry, among countless others, and played a major role in the phenomenal success of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. 

Grady is a past President of The Academy Of Country Music, and is currently a Trustee of The Country Music Hall Of Fame.

SOURCE Universal Music Group