Warner Music Nashville’s WAR Team Names James Marsh As National Director

James Marsh

Warner Music Nashville has named James Marsh as the National Director of the WAR team, effective Oct. 22. He will report to VP Radio & Streaming Tom Martens, who recently vacated the role.

“I know that James will be a perfect addition to our Warner Music Nashville family and culture,” said Martens. “I’m confident that he will keep the WAR team’s momentum going strong and will add his own valuable insights and perspective.”

Marsh will oversee the radio and streaming efforts for the WAR roster, which currently includes Ashley McBryde, Bailey Bryan, Chris Janson, Dan + Shay and Frankie Ballard. The team boasts notable growth and milestone successes over the past few years, including multiple CMA nominations and chart-topping singles for Janson and Dan + Shay.

“James has an amazing energy for the job and a passion for living life that is perfect for leading the already incredible staff and roster of artists on the WAR team,” said SVP Radio & Streaming Kristen Williams. “It was insanely important to us that we find someone who was both capable of leading this rockstar group of regionals and could also fit perfectly with our driven and creative culture at Warner Music Nashville. James is the perfect complement to both, and we’re thrilled to announce his position!”

A Texas native, Marsh began his music career as an artist development rep at Universal Music Group in 2000. The following year he became a promotions manager at Island Def Jam, where he remained until 2006, and then transitioned to a Pop / Rock southwest regional role at Atlantic Records. He then spent four years as a National Director at Roadrunner before returning to regional positions at Warner Bros. Records and, most recently, Big Machine Label Group.

“I wasn’t actively looking for an opportunity for a National role, but I felt very special hearing from Kristen Williams, Tom Martens and Espo about how much they believe in me and my ability to step into this role,” said Marsh. “Special enough that, for the first time in my life, I am actually moving from Texas. It took a lot, but they really made it feel like this is the place I needed to be. I’ve always found support in the Warner family. Mike Easterlin, Julie Greenwald and Lyor Cohen – those three threw me into the fire 19 years ago and have had my back since then. For me it’s about getting back with old friends to continue something great.”

Added Marsh, “I want to help the veteran artists who have already established themselves and hope we can learn from each other. I also love being on the forefront of breaking artists, putting them in the best light and using all the tools that we have in our belts. I can’t wait to be a part of this powerhouse that is the Warner family.”