Warner Music Nashville (WMN), the Nashville-based recorded music operation of Warner Music Group, announced the promotion of Scott Hendricks to Executive Vice President, A&R. Hendricks-who produced Blake Shelton’s Grammy-nominated album and CMA Album of the Year, Based On A True Story…-will oversee the development of new talent and existing signings by helping to identify songs, songwriters and producers, as well as provide A&R resource and creative support, on behalf of WMN. Hendricks previously served as Senior Vice President, A&R, and will continue to report to John Esposito, President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville.
“I’m honored to be named Executive Vice President of A&R at the greatest country music label on the planet,” said Hendricks. “To be able to work alongside such smart people like Espo and Peter Strickland-and of course tremendous talent like Blake Shelton and Hunter Hayes, just to name two-is an absolute treat. I’m very proud of all that we’ve accomplished together and I look forward to many more years of continued success.”
“Scott Hendricks is one of the most skilled and special music men I’ve ever met. To have the pleasure of working with Scott is an honor,” said Esposito. “He is responsible for some of the greatest modern country music and continues to demonstrate his ability for finding stars and producing hits, time and time again.”
Hendricks joined Warner Music Nashville in 2007, as the head of its A&R department, coordinating the musical efforts of Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes and Jana Kramer, among others. In addition to his A&R duties, Hendricks’ producing efforts have been instrumental in Blake Shelton’s ascent from mid-level act to bona fide star, producing 11 consecutive No. 1 singles, two platinum and two gold albums along the way.
To date, Hendricks has produced a staggering 93 Top 10 hits, with 55 of those hits going all the way to No. 1. In all, he’s spent 94 weeks- almost two years-at the top of the chart. He has helped 16 different artists to the top 10, and 10 of whom have reached No. 1. Hendricks has won six trophies from the Academy of Country Music and two from the Country Music Association as the producer of such hits as Brooks & Dunn’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear,” Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock The Jukebox” and Blake Shelton’s collaboration with Trace Adkins, “Hillbilly Bone.” He also won an Emmy for his production of Hank Williams Jr.’s “Monday Night Football” theme.
