Candace Watkins Named President of Capitol Music Group Nashville
In a strategic move, Capitol Music Group has appointed Candace Watkins as the president of its newly formed Nashville division, integrating both Capitol Records Nashville and Capitol Christian Music Group under one umbrella.
Leadership Roles and Structure
Watkins will oversee Capitol Records Nashville while also serving as the executive vice president of Capitol Christian Music Group. This latter division, which includes Motown Gospel and Tamla, will continue to be managed by its long-time president, Brad O’Donnell, who reports directly to Capitol Music Group’s CEO, Tom March.
Artist Development and New Label Structure
All artists previously affiliated with Capitol Records Nashville will now be part of the rebranded MCA Nashville label, formerly known as Universal Music Nashville. Watkins and her team are set to focus on identifying and nurturing the next wave of talent in the country music genre under the Capitol Records Nashville label.
Watkins’ Experience and Background
Before her current role, Watkins was the senior vice president of marketing at Big Loud Records, where she managed various departments, including marketing, digital media, public relations, and streaming. During her tenure there, she collaborated with notable artists such as Morgan Wallen and Hardy. Additionally, her diverse experience also includes roles at Universal Music Group Nashville, Red Light Management, Mozes Inc., Borman Entertainment, and Cross Point Church. She is an active member of the boards for the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Capitol Music Group Nashville: A Creative Hub
Located in Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston area on Martin Street, Capitol Music Group Nashville boasts 40,000 square feet of office space. This facility includes cutting-edge recording studios, a live performance area, and creative content studios designed to enhance artistic collaboration and innovation.
Vision for the Future
Tom March expressed his enthusiasm about the organization’s restructuring, stating, “This reorganization reflects our commitment to growing our Nashville operations as a core creative hub in Christian, gospel, and country music.” He highlighted the potential for signing and developing future country music stars, emphasizing Watkins’ expertise as instrumental in leading these ambitious initiatives.
John Janick, the Chairman of Interscope Capitol, also praised Watkins’s experience, remarking, “Candice is a brilliant music marketing executive who has an amazing track record in developing career artists.” Janick further noted that her dual role would significantly benefit both country music and Christian music operations.
