UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser Rises To EVP, Promotion

Royce Risser

Universal Music Group Nashville has named Royce Risser Executive Vice President of Promotion for the label group, comprised of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, Mercury Nashville and MCA Nashville.

Previously Senior Vice President of Promotion, Risser will continue to oversee promotion initiatives for UMG Nashville’s artist roster which includes Alan Jackson, Adam Hambrick, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Caylee Hammack, CB30, Chris Stapleton, Clare Dunn, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jon Langston, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, Travis Denning, Tyminski and Vince Gill.

Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO Universal Music Group Nashville, says, “Royce rides herd on four major label imprints, while landing all the planes, ensuring that each of the singles and the artists receive the best effort possible, and remaining focused on the big picture job that always goes farther than #1 on the charts. Yet he saves just enough energy to occasionally push people into bushes. I am proud of Royce, honored to work beside him, and happy to announce this promotion.”

Risser, a southern California native, was recruited to play football and attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and his master’s degree. He joined MCA Records in 1991 as an intern before being hired full-time as a promotion assistant. Through the years, Risser climbed the ranks as the Director of Northeast Regional Promotion, Director of National Promotion, and Vice President of Promotion before assuming the role of SVP of Promotion for UMG Nashville in 2007. During his time at UMG, Risser has been a part of over 160 No. 1 singles to date.

Risser shares, “I am always so proud to tell people that UMG has been my only home now for 27 years. I really do still get up in the morning and can’t wait to get to the office to be around wonderful friends and unbelievable artistry. I am also so proud of what this team has accomplished and I’m looking forward to many more years of working with the best in this business. Go Team UMG!”

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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