Rust/Universal Records is opening a new division, Rust Nashville. A Cleveland-based rock imprint under the Universal Music Group umbrella, the label was formed by president/owner Ken Cooper in 1997 and aligned with Universal in 2004. Former Atlantic Records president Ron Shapiro is serving as a consultant to the label’s pop and country divisions.
James Sliman is VP of publicity for Rust/Universal. Vanessa Davis of Nashville-based Splash! Public Relations will assist Sliman with PR efforts for the country division.
In the Nashville office, Michelle Metzger has been tapped as VP of A&R. She previously spent 10 years as director of A&R at Curb Records. Musician/publisher Steve Pope has been named VP of publishing. Veteran Music Row radio promoter Ed Mascolo is serving as National Radio Promotion Consultant for the new venture.
The label’s roster includes Alabama native Shane Owens, 19-year-old Chelsea Field, and Blackhawk, who rose to prominence in the 90s on Arista with such hits as “Goodbye Says It All,” “Every Once In A While,” and “That’s Just About Right.”
