Warner Music Nashville announced the promotion of five employees across the Finance, Radio & Streaming and Publicity departments today (Jan. 13).

After more than two years with the company, VP Finance Danny Bess has been promoted to CFO. He will continue reporting to EVP / GM Ben Kline. Brad Walker has also been promoted from Director to Sr. Director, Finance.

Bess transitioned over to Warner Music Nashville after nearly 25 years at Universal Music Group, concluding his tenure as VP Finance of its Nashville division. A Vanderbilt University graduate with an M.B.A. from Tulane, Bess began his career at Sony BMG in 1989. Walker, an alumnus of Western Kentucky University, started in financial services before entering the music industry at Sony/ATV. He has now been at WMN for 14 years.

“Danny is one of the most respected label finance people in this industry,” Kline said. “His experience in and knowledge of our evolving business is critical to our success, and I’m thrilled that he will assume this new role. Both Danny and I are incredibly proud to recognize the dedication we’ve seen in Brad Walker. Brad’s understanding of and adaptation to the changing marketplace is part of what makes him such a valuable member of the finance team.”

Jenni Tay has been upped from Manager to Director, Streaming under VP Streaming Tim Foisset. Tay began her streaming career between San Francisco and Los Angeles before settling in Nashville in 2018. She has worked on launch projects in the indie space for companies like Ingrooves and The Orchard as well as major labels such as Universal Music Group.

“Jenni is a vital, accomplished part of our streaming team,” Foisset said. “She is a true partner to those she works with in this industry: enthusiastic and innovative, supportive and nurturing, capable and decisive. Her relationships yield measurable, impressive results for our artists and we are a stronger label for it. We’re eager to see her role and influence grow.”

Mary Catherine Rebrovick and Victoria Chaitoff rise in the Publicity department, led by SVP Wes Vause, to Sr. Director and Director respectively. Rebrovick joined the WMN team as an assistant upon graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in 2012, as did Chaitoff in 2015 after earning her degree in English from the College of William and Mary.

“Mary Catherine and Victoria both started their work careers with WMN, and since day one they’ve worked tirelessly to help our artists make their dreams come true. They have become respected leaders in the publicity field and beyond, and I could not be prouder to work alongside them!” Vause said.

The RIAA has announced its Gold & Platinum Class Of 2020, recognizing artists and their team members who have achieved Gold or Platinum status for the very first time. For the inaugural class, 53 artists from several different genres earned their first Gold or Platinum certification.

Warner Music Nashville’s Gabby Barrett earned a multi-Platinum certification for her smash breakout hit, “I Hope,” and Gold for “The Good Ones.”

Gabby Barrett. Robby Klein

“Wow. 2020 has brought me more firsts than I could have ever imagined, and to be included in the RIAA’s class of ‘First Timers’ is an honor. Seeing ‘The Good Ones’ and ‘I Hope’ grow over the past year has been so exciting and rewarding. To be recognized with these certifications is the cherry on top of a truly surprising year. Thank you to the good Lord above, my husband, my family, my team, my fans and to the RIAA for helping to make this dream come true,” said Barrett.

Barrett’s label-mate Ingrid Andress earned her first Platinum certification for “More Hearts Than Mine.” Andress said, “I look up to so many musicians who have multi-Platinum achievements, and I know how hard and rare it is to have that recognition, so I’m honestly just happy to be here. I feel like a new kid getting invited to a popular cool kid’s party.”

Ashley McBryde, another Warner Music Nashville artist, earned Gold for her “One Night Standards.”

Ashley McBryde

“Hanging my first RIAA Gold single on the wall was one of the best moments in my career thus far. It is a physical representation of how hard we worked on this record and how proud we all are of it… and its evidence that the fans have embraced it, and that means everything to me. Your first Gold only happens once!” said McBryde.

Bad Realm/Atlantic Records’ BRELAND also received Gold for “My Truck,” as did RCA Nashville’s Niko Moon for “GOOD TIME,” MCA Nashville’s Parker McCollum for “Pretty Heart,” and Mercury Nashville’s Travis Denning for “After A Few.”

“It feels amazing. My producer has always joked when we write that we need to write “wall hangers” (songs that will get us a plaque). It’s pretty awesome and a big dream come true to finally have one. That certification means so much, and it’s nice to be somewhere in the books as a gold artist,” Denning said.

Pictured (L-R, top row): Damon Moberly, Mercury Nashville VP Promotion; Royce Risser, UMG Nashville EVP Promotion; Mike Dungan, UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO; Brian Wright, UMG Nashville EVP A&R; Rob Femia, UMG Nashville SVP Business & Legal Affairs; (L-R, bottom row): Angie Coonrod, Red Light Management; Travis Denning; Tom Becci, Red Light Management; Jeremy Stover, RED Creative Group. Photo: Bo Ibbotson

“We are thrilled to induct 53 artists into RIAA’s Gold & Platinum Class of 2020. Earning your first Gold or Platinum Award is a sign of true success and limitless possibilities. Congratulations to this year’s artists, their labels and teams!” said RIAA Chairman & CEO, Mitch Glazier.