Veteran country music agent Kevin Neal, who for the better part of 30 years has called Buddy Lee Attractions his home, has joined WME as a partner.
He brings with him acts such as Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Colt Ford and Parmalee.
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The move strengthens and continues WME’s move into the country music scene via its Nashville office, a scene which has proven to be one of the growth areas in the music scene and one that is also broadening its base.
WME began making headway into the space with 2010’s acquisition of the 360 Artist Agency, run by Joey Lee. Artists such as Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack and Lee Brice then became WME clients.
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Earlier this year, WME recruited Mike Snider, Kevin Huffman and Dan Rauter to launch a Christian music division run out of the Nashville office. Artists who made the movie included Andy Mineo, CeCe Winans, MercyMe, Phil Wickham, Red, Rend Collective Experiment, Shane & Shane,Tedashii, Tenth Avenue Northand Trip Lee.
WME also boasted a dominance at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards with wins by such as artists as Lambert, Justin Moore and The Band Perry.
Neal has served as president of Buddy Lee since 2009 and is a considered a get. Under him, Buddy Lee was named the 2014 Pollstar Award for Independent Booking Agency of the Year. Neal was named IEBA Talent Agent of the Year in 2006, 2008 and 2010; and NATD Agent of the Year in 2007. He was also a 2013 NATD Honors Award Recipient.
Neal’s joining WME marks a reunion between him and Joey Lee as Neal worked for Lee when the latter was CEO of Buddy Lee.
This story first appeared on THR.com