Apple Music Announces Major Nashville Expansion

Longtime Apple Music staffer Jay Liepis is moving to Nashville to open a major office and lead an expanded team to better interface with the city's artists, managers, songwriters and the labels.

Increasing Apple Music's outreach to country music and its fans is at the core of  the move. But Nashville's growing Americana, pop and hip hop artistic communities will also be a focus.

The Nashville music industry is already greeting Liepes with open arms. 

"Jay's move to Nashville is a reflection of Apple Music's ongoing investment to our ever-growing and increasingly diverse music community," said Sandbox Entertainment president and CEO Jason Owen in a statement. "The impact that Apple has on our industry worldwide is undeniable, and it excites me to know that Nashville is a top priority. The expertise that Jay brings from his tenure paired with his long-term relationships with our city makes this move ideal on every level. Plus, he's an awesome hang."

"I'm thrilled he's back in Nashville, he is a great collaborator," said WMG Nashville head John Esposito. "The work he's done most recently for Ashley McBryde is just the tip of the iceberg. Can't wait to see what else we accomplish together.”