I.R.S. Nashville Hires Gwen Foster, Will Robinson

Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster and Will Robinson have joined I.R.S. Nashville Records as Directors of Promotion, announced label President John Grady. Both will report to VP of Promotion Tom Moran.

I.R.S. Nashville’s first artist signing is duo Striking Matches, whose debut album will be released first quarter 2015.

Foster previously handled Southwest/West promotion for Average Joes Entertainment, and earlier for Treehouse Records. She has spent 22 years in radio, including time at KMLE/Phoenix, KNIX/Phoenix, KPLX/Dallas and Edens Broadcasting in San Diego.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the I.R.S. Records team!” Foster says. “I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing people on the label side of the business, and now I get to work with John Grady, Tom Moran and Will Robinson. You can bet that the artists will be one of a kind, and the music will blow you away.”

Will Robinson

Adds Moran, “Gwen has that combination of intelligence and passion that we want I.R.S. to be known for. She is a perfect fit.”

Robinson, a 20-year music industry veteran, was most recently with RPM Entertainment and worked with Moran at Nine North Records. He has held programming positions at WFRE, WCAT and WQYK. “I’m excited to be a part of the one of the most iconic record brands ever,” Robinson says. “To be reunited with my mentor Tom and to work with John is so a dream come true. I know we will turn heads.”

Adds Moran, “I knew I wanted Will to be a part of the company the moment I joined I.R.S. He is an outstanding promotion man and we are lucky to have him.”

I.R.S. has a rich musical history that includes albums by The Police, Black Sabbath and R.E.M. The label was shuttered in 1996 and revived in 2011 as a joint venture between EMI Music North American and Crush Management. Caroline, the independent services division of Capitol Music Group, created I.R.S. Nashville in 2013.