School of Music alumnus Eric Hurt was named this week as the new vice president of A&R for EMPIRE, the San Francisco-based indie that’s home to current albums by Snoop Dogg, Iggy Azalea, Robin Thicke and Young Dolph. The label has launched a Nashville outpost with plans to release music by a slate of country artists.
Eric Hurt is tasked with signing and developing new talent in Nashville. Country artist Willie Jones arrives along with Hurt. Hurt had previously signed Jones to Black River Publishing, where he worked beginning in June 2017 and oversaw a catalog that boasted multiple hits.
Hurt reports directly to EMPIRE CEO and founder Ghazi Shami, who said, “EMPIRE is built on culture and authenticity. As we expand into country music, we believe Eric fits our company ethos and is an integral part of Nashville’s vibrant music industry. We look forward to empowering country music singers and songwriters for years to come.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the team at EMPIRE,” added Hurt. “Ghazi’s forward-thinking approach to launching and supporting artists will be a great addition to the Nashville market. As we continue building Willie Jones’ career, we’ll also grow and develop our roster in country with a diverse group of talent.”
