Rounder Records Names John Strohm New President: Exclusive
Rounder Records has appointed attorney John Strohm as president of the Nashville-based label. Strohm replaces John Virant, who will remain in a senior creative role at the label.
Rounder Records has appointed attorney John Strohm as president of the Nashville-based label. Strohm replaces John Virant, who will remain in a senior creative role at the label.
Strohm will oversee management of Rounder’s day-to-day operations in Nashville, reporting to Concord Music’s Chief Label Officer, Tom Whalley. Concord Music purchased the 47-year old Americana label in 2010. Rounder, home to Steve Martin, Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn, Chris Hillman, George Thorogood and Pokey LaFarge, moved from its longtime home in Boston to Nashville in 2014.
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Strohm, 50, comes to Rounder from Loeb & Loeb, where, as senior counsel of the firm’s music industry practice, he helped develop the careers of such artists as Bon Iver, Sturgill Simpson, Alabama Shakes, Dawes, Julien Baker and The Civil Wars.
Additionally, in the mid-‘80s, Strohm co-founded alternative rock band Blake Babies, which released their 2001 album, God Bless The Blake Babies, on Rounder’s Zoe imprint. After the Blake Babies, Strohm worked with The Lemonheads, playing drums and guitar. He graduated from law school in 2004.
“As a 30-year veteran of the independent music community, it’s an unbelievable opportunity to be named president of a label that has produced many of my favorite records over its distinguished nearly 50-year history,” Strohm said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Tom Whalley, John Virant, and the label’s founders and staff to continue to build Rounder’s tradition of developing and promoting the works of groundbreaking roots artists.”
Whalley added, “In addition to his rare experience as both a successful recording artist and a creative executive, John possesses impeccable taste and an inspired approach to championing talent…For many years, John Virant has guided Rounder to great success with tremendous grace and skill. We’re grateful for his countless contributions and pleased that he will play an important role in moving the soul of Rounder into the future.”
Virant has been with Rounder since 1992 and had served as president since 1999.