Shane Allen Named Head of Promotion for Capitol Nashville; Hodges To Exit

Shane Allen

Universal Music Group Nashville announced today that Shane Allen, Vice President of Promotion, has been promoted to Head of Promotion for Capitol Records Nashville effective January 1, 2015. Allen will succeed Steve Hodges, Senior Vice President of Capitol Records Nashville Promotion, who has decided to leave Capitol at the end of the year to pursue a new opportunity.

Allen joined Capitol in 2007 as Vice President, Promotion. In 2012, following the combination of Capitol Records Nashville and Universal Music Group Nashville, Allen stepped into the role of Vice President of Promotion for all four labels under the Universal Music Group Nashville umbrella including Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Records Nashville and Mercury Records Nashville.

In making the announcement, Royce Risser, Senior Vice President of Promotion for UMG Nashville said, “There is no one more suited and ready to take the reins of the Capitol Nashville roster than Shane. Over the years I’ve watched him grow into one of the best promotion executives in the business. Shane has been a critical component in all our labels’ success at radio, which makes him the perfect person to take the helm of Capitol Nashville. His leadership style, his ability to form solid relationships, and most importantly, his passion and commitment to the Capitol Nashville roster will position Shane for continued success in his new role.”

Steve Hodges

Risser added, “I have the utmost respect and appreciation for Steve and I’m grateful for his years of contribution and work on behalf of the artists at Capitol Records Nashville. He will be missed but will remain a close friend and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Allen said, “Anyone who knows me is well aware of my passion for the Capitol Records Nashville roster and promotion staff. This move is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build upon the incredible culture and promotional success the label has enjoyed under my good friend Steve Hodges. I can’t thank him enough for his selfless leadership over the past six years. I’m also extremely grateful to Mike Dungan and Royce Risser for trusting me with such a huge responsibility.”

Allen got his start in the industry at San Diego’s KSON radio station. He has held positions within the promotion departments at Universal South, MCA Records Nashville and Mercury Records Nashville. He also worked at Red Light Management prior to joining Capitol Records Nashville.

Universal Music Group Nashville is home to artists including Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Shania Twain and Keith Urban, among others.