NIPPER GETS BIGGER

BMG Entertainment has formed the RCA Music Group by combining BMG Classics and Windham Hill to form what's being called a "global repertoire center" by its architects, BMG Chairman michael dornemann',390,400);">michael dornemann',390,400);">Michael Dornemann and BMG President/CEO strauss zelnick',390,400);">strauss zelnick',390,400);">Strauss Zelnick.

RCA Records President Robert Jamieson and Executive VP/GM Jack Rovner will assume the leadership role of the newly created group. According to sources, their promotions to Chairman and RCA Records President, respectively, should be made in a matter of weeks.

"With recent changes in the marketplace, this restructuring underscores BMG's commitment to being the most creative, innovative and efficient worldwide music company," said Zelnick in between tenderizing some chops for this weekend's Memorial Day BBQ we weren't invited to. "Under the leadership of BMG Classics' David Eyer and Windham Hill's Steve Vining, both labels are solid performers that have become synonymous with quality and artistic integrity."

The RCA Music Group will now include rock and pop, world music, jazz, traditional and non-traditional classical, Broadway and soundtracks. Each of the three labels—RCA, BMG Classics and Windham Hill—will retain its own imprints.

"As important as it is for us to develop and nurture our artists, we must also find new ways to maintain and develop our audiences," said Dornemann. "We are confident that these changes will not only preserve the legacy of traditional classical music, which is deeply rooted in our culture, but also create and reach a broader audience.And remember Strauss, I like my steak rare, with lots of blood."

The execs are banking on BMG Classics and Windham Hill developing artists in their respective areas, then using a close relationship with RCA Records—cross-pollinating with its rock and pop roster—to broaden their market reach.