» Republic In Party: Republic/New York's Monte Lipman and Big Machine/Valory's Scott Borchetta have launched Republic/Nashville. Borchetta is CEO of the new label, with former Capitol/Nashville SVP/Promotion Jimmy Harnen serving as President. Republic/Nashville will staff a full promotion team, as well as handling A&R and some marketing functions, with remaining label operations handled out of New York. Big Machine has a standing relationship with Republic, which has handled pop promotion for Taylor Swift's music.

Country Aircheck has the exclusive first interview with Borchetta and Harnen in our June print issue, out next week. In it, Harnen notes, "Change presents opportunity, and there's a lot of stuff going on right now that the next generation of executives can really capitalize on." Borchetta adds, "As others are receding, we are strategically marching forward. If they're going to retreat and leave this land open, then we're going to take it." The label's first signing is duo Fast Ryde, with a first single expected this month. Big Machine's Sunny Sweeney is expected to move to the new label. Harnen can be reached at 615-324-7777 or here.