BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Adds Adrian Michaels

Adrian Michaels. Photo: Cody Heckber

BBR Music Group has named Adrian Michaels to Stoney Creek Records staff as Vice President of Innovation, Radio and Streaming, effective June 1. He joins from his previous post as National Director of Radio and Streaming at Warner Music Nashville. He succeeds Byron Kennedy who has exited to follow his lifelong passion for comedy.

Michaels is a 27-year veteran of the Music Row community with stops at RCA, Curb and Warner Music. Over the course of his career he has represented country icons such as Alabama, Clint Black, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes and Kenny Chesney and has played a part in more than 100 No. 1’s. Most recently at Warner, he led the promotion team in launching the careers of Ingrid Andress, Devin Dawson, Michael Ray and Morgan Evans. He also developed two national television shows for HGTV and GAC and is a member of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.

Michaels will oversee the Stoney Creek Records radio promotion for its roster of artists, including chart-toppers Randy Houser, Parmalee, Jimmie Allen and Lindsay Ell, as well as multi-national six-man band King Calaway. Additionally, he will be charged with fostering innovation across the label’s three promotion teams to take advantage of the continually evolving technology and processes which help measure and drive music consumption at the local market level, while continually looking for ways to aid radio in creating even deeper connections with their listeners and BBR Music Group artists.

Michaels will begin effective June 1 following Kennedy’s departure and will report directly to Carson James, SVP Promotion, BBR Music Group.

“Carson and I have talked for years about how much we wanted Adrian to be part of the BBR family and feel like we just signed that MVP who is hitting free agency at the height of his career,” says Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group. “I’m still pinching myself. Adrian not only brings with him 25+ years of deep and exceptional industry relationships, but also the curiosity and mind-set of a 25-year-old Silicon Valley whiz kid who is never-satisfied with the status-quo and is always looking to build a better mousetrap. He is going to make us all better and as a result, even better partners for our friends in radio.”

James added, “I had the pleasure to work with Adrian years ago during our time at Curb. He rose from regional to VP in a short time for two reasons… he’s the quintessential promotion person but… more than that, he’s a true record guy. There’s no bigger compliment in this business than to be THAT. I’m honored to be working with him again!”

“I am incredibly excited to join Jon Loba, Carson James and the BBR/BMG family,” said Michaels. “Being given the opportunity to innovate and re-imagine the art of promotion for such a progressive company is an honor. I can’t wait to join the already successful team. Any record man would be humbled to represent the artistry of the roster at Stoney Creek.”

Kennedy will be leaving to pursue opportunities in the comedy world which has long been a personal passion. Loba remarked, “I want to thank Byron for leading the Stoney Creek team to new heights. Under his tenure, they made history by delivering back to back No. 1’s on Jimmie Allen; further cemented Lindsay Ell’s stature as one of the most unique and accomplished females in the genre and was instrumental in introducing King Calaway and showing the world what an accomplished group of musicians and vocalists they are. His closing salvo was starting the early buzz on Blanco Brown and Parmalee’s new single, “Just The Way,” which stations started playing before it was even shipped.”

Loba continued, “While he played such an important role at BBR, I always encourage staff to pursue their passions, even if that means losing someone who means so much. When Byron started having some very real success with open mic nights, I encouraged him to take the leap and dive full-time into something he has dreamed about his entire life. We will be cheering him on all along his journey…and will hold him accountable when he thinks he is too big for meet and greets!”

“I’d like to thank Jon Loba and Carson James for taking a chance on me when I wanted to leave radio and move to the record side, when no one else would,” reminisced Kennedy. “The last four and a half years working in Nashville and for BMG have been some of the most amazing and gratifying years of my life. I think the transition from records to comedy will be an easy one for someone who has spent the last few years being laughed off the phone every time I tried to hand them a hit. It might in fact be why Jon Loba has been so supportive and encouraging me to follow this new path.”

He continued, “As hard as it is to leave an incredible company like BMG it would be even harder to not explore the opportunities that have recently presented themselves. Stay tuned for some exciting news and developments right around the corner!”