Monday, February 27, 2012
CROSSTOWN RIVALS: The Tennessean advanced the Mike Dungan-to-UMG Nashville story (see 2/24 item below) over the weekend, beginning with a memo to staff from Roger Faxon. “I would not be surprised that once the merger with Universal has closed, we will be linking up with Mike once again," the EMI chief wrote. “But until that happens, while he will still be our friend, he will absolutely be our competition.” Faxon added that Dungan will leave EMI Nashville on March 31 and start at UMG Nashville about a month later. He’ll succeed UMG Nashville CEO Luke Lewis, who will reportedly stay with the company in an unspecified new capacity, likely including continuing oversight of his Lost Highway label. Lewis, the driving force behind the discovery and breakthroughs of many of country’s biggest artists, has served at the helm of a major record label for nearly 20 years, longer than any other record executive in Nashville. Bill Hearn will replace Dungan at the top of EMI Nashville, according to The Tennessean, adding those duties to his current job as head of EMI's Christian music division. (2/27a)