Veteran Christian music executive Peter York has been promoted to president of Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG). CEO Bill Hearn, to whom York will continue to report, made the announcement today.

In his expanded role, York will add oversight of the creative direction and leadership development of CCMG’s publishing and distribution divisions to his current responsibilities of managing the company’s Label Group, which includes Sparrow Records, Forefront, sixstepsrecords, Hillsong and Jesus Culture, among others. With York’s promotion, Hearn will intensify his focus on driving the company’s strategic direction, business development initiatives and key partner relationships. Hearn also will maintain oversight of the Motown Gospel label, which is led by Ken Pennell, president of Gospel Music, CCMG.

York has served with the company for more than 30 years, the last 19 as president of the company’s Label Group. In his early years with Sparrow, he worked directly with label founder Billy Ray Hearn, first in copyright development and A&R, and later rising to vice president of A&R and partnering with Hearn’s son, Bill Hearn, to run the label.

At Sparrow, York played an instrumental role in the creative development of a wide array of artists, including Steven Curtis Chapman, Britt Nicole, Mandisa, Chris Tomlin, TobyMac and Matthew West. He began his career in music more than 40 years ago as a musician, songwriter and producer, playing guitar and recording with artists 2nd Chapter of Acts, Phil Keaggy and others.

“There is no music executive in the business more capable than Peter, and our company and I have greatly benefited from his outstanding contributions during our 30 years together,” Hearn said. “He possesses a unique combination of creative intelligence and commercial understanding, as well as an exceptional ability to develop strong leaders. I’m confident our new structure will increase growth opportunities and long-term stability for CCMG, and make us even more effective in serving our artists, songwriters and business partners as we move forward.”

In light of his new position, York is looking forward to a bright future for the company.

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead the implementation of this new structure, which is designed to meet the changing needs of our artists, writers and music fans while putting more emphasis on developing the future leaders within our organization and industry,” he said. “We plan to operate the Label Group, Publishing and Distribution units even more collaboratively, with seamless connectivity, improved efficiencies and creative synergies, while improving results and positioning the organization for continued success in the future."

In related moves, CCMG’s Publishing Executive Vice President Casey McGinty and Distribution Executive Vice President Greg Bays will report directly to York and continue to direct and manage day-to-day operations within their respective divisions. CCMG Label Group Senior Vice President of A&R Brad O'Donnell and newly appointed Senior Vice President of Marketing Hudson Plachy will continue to report to York. O’Donnell will assume increased responsibility for the Label Group’s overall A&R strategy, creative direction and roster development. Plachy, previously CCMG’s vice president of marketing, has been with the company since 2002 and will assume expanded responsibilities for guiding all marketing and revenue growth strategies for the Label Group and its roster of more than 25 active artists.

Rick Horne, CCMG executive vice president and chief financial officer, will continue to report to Hearn and partner with York in overseeing the day-to-day operations and financial aspects of the company. Chris Koon has been promoted to senior vice president of finance, continuing to report to Horne and expanding responsibilities to include oversight of royalties and product management and supply chain in addition to accounting and finance.

CCMG’s Senior Vice President of Information Technology Bonnie Campbell will leave the company at the end of this year after more than 25 years of service. During this transitional period, A.J. Rhodes will serve as acting director of IT.

• Prev
• Next