Steve Buckingham Exits Welk Music Group

Steve Buckingham, Senior Vice President of A & R for Vanguard Records and The Welk Music Group, is leaving the company after eleven years. With Buckingham’s departure, Vanguard Records will shift A&R responsibilities for the label to the company’s Santa Monica Headquarters. While at Vanguard and sister label Sugar Hill, Buckingham signed, and in some cases produced, artists including Levon Helm, Dolly Parton, John Hiatt, Mindy Smith, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Osborne, Shawn Mullins and George Jones’ imprint, Bandit Records. Before moving to Vanguard/Welk Music, Buckingham was VP of A & R and a producer for Columbia Records/Sony Music for ten years.

“Those of us who have been in the music business for many years know that when ‘someone is exiting a label to pursue other opportunities,’ it usually has other meanings,” Buckingham said. “The simple truth is that my position was eliminated. Despite this outcome, I am grateful to Larry and Kevin Welk for the opportunities they gave to me.”

Buckingham can be reached by email at DanEdog@AOL.com

• Author
• Recent Posts

LB Cantrell

LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.

Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)

• How To Watch The 2027 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony - November 13, 2026
• Recording Academy Elevates Susan Stewart To VP Of Songwriters & Composers Wing - November 10, 2026
• BREAKING: Josh Van Valkenburg Named UMPG Nashville President, Troy Tomlinson Moves To Advisory Role - November 10, 2026