Music Row veteran Lisa Harless has retired from her position as Sr. VP/Wealth Advisor, Entertainment and Sports Division of Regions Bank. She was with the company for more than 38 years.

“When I reflect on the past three and half decades, I am incredibly blessed to have known and worked with the legendary and incredibly talented individuals I have worked with—and how fulfilling to have been involved in helping them achieve their financial and career goals,” Harless tells MusicRow. “How fortunate I have been to work with a company like Regions which gives back to our community in countless ways, is an annual corporate sponsor of key music industry organizations, and is the title sponsor of the NSAI’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival.”

Harless, a graduate of Lipscomb University, joined Regions in 1985 following time at Aetna Casualty and Surety. In her executive post at the bank, she assisted clients with a wide range of financial services including deposit and credit needs, investments and estate and financial planning.

Private Wealth Advisor Chase Chapman and Music Row Branch Manager Melodie Zack will now head Regions’ Music Row leadership team.

“I have tremendous confidence in our Regions Music Row leadership team,” Harless says. “Chapman and Zack share my passion for meeting the financial needs of those in the entertainment industry, and this is the ideal time to turn the banking leadership reins over to them to carry on our tradition of outstanding client service!”

In retirement, Harless will enthusiastically continue her involvement with music and songwriter events, supporting the non-profits close to her heart and serving on Boards and Advisory Councils of key organizations. She also plans to travel with her husband and spend time with her family.

In recognition of her retirement, the Regions Foundation of TN has honored Harless with a $10,000 donation to W.O. Smith Music School in her honor, an organization she holds dear.

Harless describes this transitional season as “reFIREment,” as she is “fired up” about her future plans and all she wants to accomplish in this next chapter.

BMG is now increasing investment in its U.S. record labels as it “doubles down” on its North America operation, which already accounts for more than 50 percent of its revenue. As part of the plan, BMG Nashville President Jon Loba will become President Frontline Recordings, North America, taking charge of BMG’s entire North American frontline records business across Nashville, Los Angeles, New York and Canada. His other responsibilities include the Rise (Spiritbox, Sum 41) and RBC (Chief Keef, Run The Jewels) imprints as well as the main BMG label.

Additionally, Thomas Scherer, who oversaw publishing and recordings in Los Angeles and New York, will become President Global Catalog Recordings, while retaining his responsibilities as President, Music Publishing, North America. Alongside CFO North America Joe Gillen, they will comprise BMG’s U.S.-based leadership.

BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld says, “We are making good on our promise to double down on our U.S. operation with a distinctive new approach: an integrated frontline operation spanning the whole of North America plus a Global Catalog business steered from Los Angeles. BMG is stepping up. This is an integral part of our new strategy to deliver for artists and songwriters and go for growth.”

Loba joined BMG in 2017 when the company acquired Nashville-based BBR Music Group. He has since grown a roster that already included country superstars Jason Aldean and Dustin Lynch to breakout artists such as Blanco Brown, Parmalee and 2024 Grammy nominees Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson. In 2023, Loba played a key role in BMG receiving its first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town,” and Jelly Roll and Wilson accounted for six of the 12 awards presented at the CMA Awards.

“Under Jon Loba, BMG Nashville has exceeded our expectations year after year. Jon is not only one of the most accomplished record executives in Nashville, the multi-genre success he has achieved with Jelly Roll makes him the ideal person to take additional responsibility for our Los Angeles, New York and Canada recordings business as we further pursue our objective of making BMG the most effective and artist-friendly destination for artists, both established and new,” says Coesfeld. “Jon is a true entrepreneur and combines music savvy with an instinctive and well-rounded managerial style. I am delighted he is stepping up to take on this challenge.”

“We have created something special with our artists in Nashville. I am excited at the opportunity to apply the timeless formula we have employed there–genuine partnership with authentic new artists–to BMG’s broader North American recorded business,” shares Loba. “I am grateful to Thomas Coesfeld for his constant inspiration and trust and to the broader BMG team. It’s been an exciting six months since Thomas was named CEO. His energetic and strategic approach to the business has been very inspirational for all of us, because that’s the way our Nashville team runs. I’m looking so forward to working even closer with our staff throughout North America and as important, helping bring the visions of our amazing artists to life.”